Over the course of the few hours past the gate, Erika will go into the full story of Baldar the Bold's plight against Narthax for her companions. Performance 12
It's overall a good story with which to pass the time. Baldar is apparently a mythological warrior-hero of Erika's people in the northern region of Ygdridan. Erika gets a bit bogged down in the details of a romance in the middle of the story, but it doesn't detract much from the final showdown with Narthax, which she had a flair for describing -- summoning a small moving image of Baldar's surprise gambit that drove the foul beast away from his home of Stormholde.
Over the course of the ride, Erika will attempt to bribe over Alistair with a piece of jerky, so she can pet the tressym. Animal Handling 24
Trixi did not even interrupt the game to answer Zira's question - come on, the answer is obvious! "The best way to approach anything is to not have any expectations. Clouds your view, you know? If you come with an open mind you can see more and you do not judge. You told us about the dig many times but I want to try to see it for what it is - the whole thing."
Upcoming fight seemed not to bother her, at least she did not show any sign of the worry at the news. She have not seen any true battle on the surface yet (she did not count occasional assaults along the path that led her to the Institute from stupid oafs that thought taking a trident from a tiny triton is like taking candy from a baby - those learned their lesson), but she was raised on the war stories and if not participated herself, was well versed in it in theory.
Still, Trixi listened Erika's story with such an interest, she would definitely loose that game (even if Garron was letting her win). "Don't tell me you are not even curious!" she put pieces back into positions. "This is like to be in one of this stories,"she pointed at Erika unceremoniously, "can you imagine a few years from now some people might sing about Garron the Mighty, or Trixi the Magnificen! Or should I go with "the Quick"? May be something along the water line... "just "of the Sea"?" Choosing her future - no doubts incredible - moniker occupied her attention for the next few minutes. Ted was right, there is something attractive in all this bragging.
Molle takes a moment to answer the question, either because it took her a moment to hear, or she was letting the others speak first. "I think we're going to prove ourselves to be better than people expect. Hopefully because we find something interesting there, but I'll take for other reasons too. Learning is pretty natural when it comes to an adventure."
As they travel throughout the day, she takes in the sights around the road. Occasionally commenting a random fact about a kind of tree, flower shape, or about things merchants do on the road. Little useless things that one doesn't really think about. She looks up at the sky with a frown at the mention of the weather going to turn bad. "The bandits shouldn't be as trained as us, but they know the area better. So they'll surely try to use it to their advantage. Try to avoid chasing, Dreadbane."
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The ever growing document of character concepts can never be too long, can it?
Garron smiles at Zira's question and waits for everyone else to answer first. At Trixi's answer his grin broadens and when he responds he does so in short, "Trixi's right. Keeping our expectations low is the best way to ensure that we don't miss any important clues, but I can't help but hope we find some valuable magic items as well." He quickly clarifies, "Not for me, of course, but to prevent them from falling into other hands." His response is short partially because he is trying to keep his expectations low, but also because he is focused on teaching Trixi and steering the wagon.
As they continue out of the city and Erika begins to tell her tale from the back of the wagon, Garron can see that Trixi is getting distracted by the story. Realizing his student likely won't make any further progress, he finishes the game quickly and puts the board and pieces back in his pack. With that he turns his head back to the road and drives the wagon carefully forward while listening to Erika's epic. As her tale winds down Garron gives her an impressed "Thanks." and returns his focus to the road ahead.
“Yes Trixi, exactly!” Ted reaches over to the front of the wagon for a high five. “Don’t expect anything and you can never be surprised, never be dissapointed.” He takes a look around at the others, gesturing toward Trixi “Watch and learn crew, this is why she’s the cool one.”
As the journey goes on into the evening, with Erika’s story taking most of the groups ears, none are as enthusiastic as Ted. He reacts out loud to all the twists and turns, and smiles in anticipation throughout the whole thing. For a moment he seems like a child being told a bedtime story, until he opens his mouth. “That Baldar is a sneaky one! That misdirection at the end! And I bet he wouldn’t have thought of that before his little affair, he was all about that honour until he was shown a good time, and then he was willing to do anything just to make it back to his lover, he lost all sense of himself.” Clearly, Ted had a different interpretation of the events of the story.
As Trixi lists off her ideas for Monikers, Ted helps out. “A good name... you don’t come up with it, it finds you. One day you’ll just see yourself in a looking glass and say..... that’s me, and you’ll know it’s right.
When Molle gives her warning, Ted retorts. “I wouldn’t go chasing anyone for the sake of you lot. Now, maybe if they have something I wanted, like a big stack of gold, I’d consider it. But don’t worry Molle, you know I always take your advice.” Ted tries to stifle his wincing as the wagon hits a bump and a spike of pain jolts up from his bruised buttocks.
Trixi already knew that gesture and happily answered high five, but disagreed about the wisdom of letting someone else decide the name for you. "What if you do not like it? It's like getting a permanent bad hair cut!" (Considering her absolutely untamed blue mane the comparison was not that great) "No-no, you have to come up with something and then ..."actually, she did not know what's then, but was willing to think about it.
(When in the camp she would do her share of work almost automatically, like something that you can do in your sleep - in her case, that was almost literal. And she was ready to take the darkest watching hours too.)
"Mmm. You know, the names that stick? They are not the ones you give yourself, but those that others give you. Be it out of love, respect, fear. And if you dislike your name, well, then get out to the world and make people see you for who you want to be."
"When it comes to a watch tonight, I can take early evening or dawn. Dead of night, well. You alvevolk might be better for that."
Garron nods and chimes in, "Same as Erika, I'm not going to be a great lookout in the middle of the night, so I'll take the first watch and Erika can take the last one. Objections?"
"I can take middle watch, since I won't have much of a problem in the dark."offers Molle. "Anyone else who wants to join me is more than welcome to. Though I know being up at the midnight hours can be dull."
Seeing everybody else claim their watch, and liking Areon's suggestion to double up on watches, Garron turns to Dreadbane and says, "Looks like you and I are taking first watch then."
(OOC: I believe it is Garron/Dreadbane, Molle/Trixi, and Areon/Erika for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd watch respectively.)
Ted considers Garron’s offer, “I like late nights anyway. I don’t think we’ve hung out Garron, just the two of us. Did you grow up in Zozobra too? Maybe we can share some tales of city life?”
Garron turns back to Dreadbane, "We haven't spent much time together alone I suppose," Garron says thoughtfully, "Although given our interests, I'm not surprised. To answer your question, I didn't grow up in the city, although I don't hail from quite as far as some of our other companions, just an outlying village. And as far as stories, I don't have many tales to tell about home. It wasn't very exciting which is part of the reason I left. I've never really been much of a city boy anyways. At least until I came to the Institute. What about you? If you grew up in the city, then how is it that you have managed to become 'beloved all over Embera'?"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
“The mark of a successful DM is when you have caused more player deaths with doors than dragons, demons, or devils.”
Ted chuckles, “When you’re in the city, sticking it to the man, word travels. I’ve not really left, I need to be where the actions at. There’s a lot of corruption, and a lot of people trying to tell you how to think, but there’s also a lot of fun to be had. When we’re done here I can show you around some of the taverns, the night life is like nothing you’ve ever seen!”
"Good to be organized everyone but we also have the guard and the forward scouts to consider in the watch order," Zira reminds the party.
After reappearing once the rains stay in the mountains Alistair allows Erika a scratch or two but the fickle feline doesn't budge from his vigil in Zira's lap. Moving on its nearly dusk when the activity in the farmlands begins to tapper off as distant settlements off the Pilgrimage Road seem to appear with faint light twinkling in the distance. The road itself has begun to narrows becoming less easy for two wagons to pass abreast one another as travelers seem to become sparse deciding both north and south of the caravan to bed down for the night.
Zira seems edgy in the twilight. After nearly eight hours of travel passed the fields of wheat and the buzz of harvest it's eerie now as a full moon rising as the sun fades casts shadows.
"There," Zira says pointing ahead up the road about seventy feet away off the road in a large standing of trees.
It's the first group of trees you've seen in hours but they're on a ring and easily spotted as the fires from the camp dancing off their branches.
"Might as well hung a sign...please rob us," Dalen, the dwarven mercenary groans, as Zira snickers then sighs looking at the camp Gen and the others have lingered in for the last several hours.
Other campfires can be seen nearer the road away from the fields yet to be harvested. Each of these clearings seem meant to accommodate overnight travelers where inns or taverns are absent on this particular stretch of road!
Meeting with the scouting party the three of them are quick to help unload the wagon of tents and cooking implements. Gen-ga approaches the party with a quiet smile nodding at each of you before catching the reigns of Zira's horse and allowing her to dismount.
"It's a nice spot Gen. How many travelers did you run off to get it," Zira teases as the dragonborn chuckles.
"Well, no more than a dozen," Gen responses grinning. "We've caught a few birds too and they're ready to be cooked up. I say we eat from the land as much as we can before using provisions," they add as Zira nods.
"I agree," Zira smiles taking her reigns back and putting the horse with the others on a line tied between a stand of two very large trees.
Everyone roll a perception check please.
OOC: I'd like volunteers for survival checks for assemble the camp, collecting wood, and preparing the meals. There are four, four person tents and there's ten other NPCs besides the party of six. Who's sleeping where/with who? Y'all seem to have watch sorted but we'll need to sort out checks etc..
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
“But no living man am I! You look upon a woman...You stand between me and my lord and kin. Begone, if you be not deathless! For living or dark undead, I will smite you, if you touch him.” ― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Return of the King
Garron is not great at hunting, but he can assist someone else in setting up the camp and assembling the tents. As far as sleeping arrangements, Garron speaks up, "I'll bunk with Dreadbane, Aeron, and Dalen unless anyone has objections. It makes the most sense given that Dreadbane and I will be coming in late from our watch anyways. As far as breaking the watch up differently because there are more of us now, we could split the watch by the hour as opposed to two hours. Still two per watch, but it'll give each of us a little more rest and keep us more fresh during our shifts."
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“The mark of a successful DM is when you have caused more player deaths with doors than dragons, demons, or devils.”
Molle gives Gen-ga a nod, returning the silent greeting with one of her own. She dismounts her horse, then grabs her pack off its back and slings it over a shoulder. For carrying her for the whole travel, Molle gives the horse a pat on its muzzle. Idly, she clicks her tongue, as she takes in the camp. "Sounds like we're bunking together, Trixi and Erika. Unless you want to sleep under the stars, than gossip in a tent."
Finding a good spot to drop her bag for a time, Molle grabs one of her handaxes. She calls out over her shoulder, "I'll go grab some firewood, Gen. We'll get those birds roasting in no time." She whistles as she walks off, twirling the weapon in her hand.
Perception:7 Survival: 15
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
The ever growing document of character concepts can never be too long, can it?
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Erika nods. "This gossip sounds fun! A tent will be warmer, though I never miss an opportunity to see the stars if the night is clear." She looks at the Zira."Zira, will you be joining us? There would be space for one other, though I will admit, this may just be a plot to bribe your cat some more."A small smile follows.
With a bit of twilight exploration, she'll set her hunting trap along a small game path, hoping to snare a tasty critter. Then she'll return to the campfire with some herbs and berries, and clean and dress the rabbits of the morning. Into a stewpot they go, a counter to the wild birds. As she cooks, she will note to the others where her trap is, so that none take a wandering nightly relief into a spring-loaded steel jaw.
Over the course of the few hours past the gate, Erika will go into the full story of Baldar the Bold's plight against Narthax for her companions. Performance 12
It's overall a good story with which to pass the time. Baldar is apparently a mythological warrior-hero of Erika's people in the northern region of Ygdridan. Erika gets a bit bogged down in the details of a romance in the middle of the story, but it doesn't detract much from the final showdown with Narthax, which she had a flair for describing -- summoning a small moving image of Baldar's surprise gambit that drove the foul beast away from his home of Stormholde.
Over the course of the ride, Erika will attempt to bribe over Alistair with a piece of jerky, so she can pet the tressym. Animal Handling 24
Aldrik Reinholdt in Dragon Heist
Daventry in The Candlekeep Mysteries, and her bag
Trixi did not even interrupt the game to answer Zira's question - come on, the answer is obvious! "The best way to approach anything is to not have any expectations. Clouds your view, you know? If you come with an open mind you can see more and you do not judge. You told us about the dig many times but I want to try to see it for what it is - the whole thing."
Upcoming fight seemed not to bother her, at least she did not show any sign of the worry at the news. She have not seen any true battle on the surface yet (she did not count occasional assaults along the path that led her to the Institute from stupid oafs that thought taking a trident from a tiny triton is like taking candy from a baby - those learned their lesson), but she was raised on the war stories and if not participated herself, was well versed in it in theory.
Still, Trixi listened Erika's story with such an interest, she would definitely loose that game (even if Garron was letting her win). "Don't tell me you are not even curious!" she put pieces back into positions. "This is like to be in one of this stories," she pointed at Erika unceremoniously, "can you imagine a few years from now some people might sing about Garron the Mighty, or Trixi the Magnificen! Or should I go with "the Quick"? May be something along the water line... "just "of the Sea"?" Choosing her future - no doubts incredible - moniker occupied her attention for the next few minutes. Ted was right, there is something attractive in all this bragging.
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
Molle takes a moment to answer the question, either because it took her a moment to hear, or she was letting the others speak first. "I think we're going to prove ourselves to be better than people expect. Hopefully because we find something interesting there, but I'll take for other reasons too. Learning is pretty natural when it comes to an adventure."
As they travel throughout the day, she takes in the sights around the road. Occasionally commenting a random fact about a kind of tree, flower shape, or about things merchants do on the road. Little useless things that one doesn't really think about. She looks up at the sky with a frown at the mention of the weather going to turn bad. "The bandits shouldn't be as trained as us, but they know the area better. So they'll surely try to use it to their advantage. Try to avoid chasing, Dreadbane."
The ever growing document of character concepts can never be too long, can it?
Garron smiles at Zira's question and waits for everyone else to answer first. At Trixi's answer his grin broadens and when he responds he does so in short, "Trixi's right. Keeping our expectations low is the best way to ensure that we don't miss any important clues, but I can't help but hope we find some valuable magic items as well." He quickly clarifies, "Not for me, of course, but to prevent them from falling into other hands." His response is short partially because he is trying to keep his expectations low, but also because he is focused on teaching Trixi and steering the wagon.
As they continue out of the city and Erika begins to tell her tale from the back of the wagon, Garron can see that Trixi is getting distracted by the story. Realizing his student likely won't make any further progress, he finishes the game quickly and puts the board and pieces back in his pack. With that he turns his head back to the road and drives the wagon carefully forward while listening to Erika's epic. As her tale winds down Garron gives her an impressed "Thanks." and returns his focus to the road ahead.
“The mark of a successful DM is when you have caused more player deaths with doors than dragons, demons, or devils.”
“Yes Trixi, exactly!” Ted reaches over to the front of the wagon for a high five. “Don’t expect anything and you can never be surprised, never be dissapointed.” He takes a look around at the others, gesturing toward Trixi “Watch and learn crew, this is why she’s the cool one.”
As the journey goes on into the evening, with Erika’s story taking most of the groups ears, none are as enthusiastic as Ted. He reacts out loud to all the twists and turns, and smiles in anticipation throughout the whole thing. For a moment he seems like a child being told a bedtime story, until he opens his mouth. “That Baldar is a sneaky one! That misdirection at the end! And I bet he wouldn’t have thought of that before his little affair, he was all about that honour until he was shown a good time, and then he was willing to do anything just to make it back to his lover, he lost all sense of himself.” Clearly, Ted had a different interpretation of the events of the story.
As Trixi lists off her ideas for Monikers, Ted helps out. “A good name... you don’t come up with it, it finds you. One day you’ll just see yourself in a looking glass and say..... that’s me, and you’ll know it’s right.
When Molle gives her warning, Ted retorts. “I wouldn’t go chasing anyone for the sake of you lot. Now, maybe if they have something I wanted, like a big stack of gold, I’d consider it. But don’t worry Molle, you know I always take your advice.” Ted tries to stifle his wincing as the wagon hits a bump and a spike of pain jolts up from his bruised buttocks.
Gilgin Hardhammer - Mountain Dwarf Cleric (Forge Domain) - Icewind Dale
Petal - Forest Gnome Druid (Circle of the Land - Forest) - Unsung Heroes of Embera
Trixi already knew that gesture and happily answered high five, but disagreed about the wisdom of letting someone else decide the name for you. "What if you do not like it? It's like getting a permanent bad hair cut!" (Considering her absolutely untamed blue mane the comparison was not that great) "No-no, you have to come up with something and then ..." actually, she did not know what's then, but was willing to think about it.
(When in the camp she would do her share of work almost automatically, like something that you can do in your sleep - in her case, that was almost literal. And she was ready to take the darkest watching hours too.)
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
"Mmm. You know, the names that stick? They are not the ones you give yourself, but those that others give you. Be it out of love, respect, fear. And if you dislike your name, well, then get out to the world and make people see you for who you want to be."
"When it comes to a watch tonight, I can take early evening or dawn. Dead of night, well. You alvevolk might be better for that."
Aldrik Reinholdt in Dragon Heist
Daventry in The Candlekeep Mysteries, and her bag
Garron nods and chimes in, "Same as Erika, I'm not going to be a great lookout in the middle of the night, so I'll take the first watch and Erika can take the last one. Objections?"
“The mark of a successful DM is when you have caused more player deaths with doors than dragons, demons, or devils.”
"I can take middle watch, since I won't have much of a problem in the dark." offers Molle. "Anyone else who wants to join me is more than welcome to. Though I know being up at the midnight hours can be dull."
The ever growing document of character concepts can never be too long, can it?
Seeing everybody else claim their watch, and liking Areon's suggestion to double up on watches, Garron turns to Dreadbane and says, "Looks like you and I are taking first watch then."
(OOC: I believe it is Garron/Dreadbane, Molle/Trixi, and Areon/Erika for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd watch respectively.)
“The mark of a successful DM is when you have caused more player deaths with doors than dragons, demons, or devils.”
Ted considers Garron’s offer, “I like late nights anyway. I don’t think we’ve hung out Garron, just the two of us. Did you grow up in Zozobra too? Maybe we can share some tales of city life?”
Gilgin Hardhammer - Mountain Dwarf Cleric (Forge Domain) - Icewind Dale
Petal - Forest Gnome Druid (Circle of the Land - Forest) - Unsung Heroes of Embera
Garron turns back to Dreadbane, "We haven't spent much time together alone I suppose," Garron says thoughtfully, "Although given our interests, I'm not surprised. To answer your question, I didn't grow up in the city, although I don't hail from quite as far as some of our other companions, just an outlying village. And as far as stories, I don't have many tales to tell about home. It wasn't very exciting which is part of the reason I left. I've never really been much of a city boy anyways. At least until I came to the Institute. What about you? If you grew up in the city, then how is it that you have managed to become 'beloved all over Embera'?"
“The mark of a successful DM is when you have caused more player deaths with doors than dragons, demons, or devils.”
Ted chuckles, “When you’re in the city, sticking it to the man, word travels. I’ve not really left, I need to be where the actions at. There’s a lot of corruption, and a lot of people trying to tell you how to think, but there’s also a lot of fun to be had. When we’re done here I can show you around some of the taverns, the night life is like nothing you’ve ever seen!”
Gilgin Hardhammer - Mountain Dwarf Cleric (Forge Domain) - Icewind Dale
Petal - Forest Gnome Druid (Circle of the Land - Forest) - Unsung Heroes of Embera
"Good to be organized everyone but we also have the guard and the forward scouts to consider in the watch order," Zira reminds the party.
After reappearing once the rains stay in the mountains Alistair allows Erika a scratch or two but the fickle feline doesn't budge from his vigil in Zira's lap. Moving on its nearly dusk when the activity in the farmlands begins to tapper off as distant settlements off the Pilgrimage Road seem to appear with faint light twinkling in the distance. The road itself has begun to narrows becoming less easy for two wagons to pass abreast one another as travelers seem to become sparse deciding both north and south of the caravan to bed down for the night.
Zira seems edgy in the twilight. After nearly eight hours of travel passed the fields of wheat and the buzz of harvest it's eerie now as a full moon rising as the sun fades casts shadows.
"There," Zira says pointing ahead up the road about seventy feet away off the road in a large standing of trees.
It's the first group of trees you've seen in hours but they're on a ring and easily spotted as the fires from the camp dancing off their branches.
"Might as well hung a sign...please rob us," Dalen, the dwarven mercenary groans, as Zira snickers then sighs looking at the camp Gen and the others have lingered in for the last several hours.
Other campfires can be seen nearer the road away from the fields yet to be harvested. Each of these clearings seem meant to accommodate overnight travelers where inns or taverns are absent on this particular stretch of road!
Meeting with the scouting party the three of them are quick to help unload the wagon of tents and cooking implements. Gen-ga approaches the party with a quiet smile nodding at each of you before catching the reigns of Zira's horse and allowing her to dismount.
"It's a nice spot Gen. How many travelers did you run off to get it," Zira teases as the dragonborn chuckles.
"Well, no more than a dozen," Gen responses grinning. "We've caught a few birds too and they're ready to be cooked up. I say we eat from the land as much as we can before using provisions," they add as Zira nods.
"I agree," Zira smiles taking her reigns back and putting the horse with the others on a line tied between a stand of two very large trees.
Everyone roll a perception check please.
OOC: I'd like volunteers for survival checks for assemble the camp, collecting wood, and preparing the meals. There are four, four person tents and there's ten other NPCs besides the party of six. Who's sleeping where/with who? Y'all seem to have watch sorted but we'll need to sort out checks etc..
“But no living man am I! You look upon a woman...You stand between me and my lord and kin. Begone, if you be not deathless! For living or dark undead, I will smite you, if you touch him.” ― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Return of the King
Perception: 7
Garron is not great at hunting, but he can assist someone else in setting up the camp and assembling the tents. As far as sleeping arrangements, Garron speaks up, "I'll bunk with Dreadbane, Aeron, and Dalen unless anyone has objections. It makes the most sense given that Dreadbane and I will be coming in late from our watch anyways. As far as breaking the watch up differently because there are more of us now, we could split the watch by the hour as opposed to two hours. Still two per watch, but it'll give each of us a little more rest and keep us more fresh during our shifts."
“The mark of a successful DM is when you have caused more player deaths with doors than dragons, demons, or devils.”
Molle gives Gen-ga a nod, returning the silent greeting with one of her own. She dismounts her horse, then grabs her pack off its back and slings it over a shoulder. For carrying her for the whole travel, Molle gives the horse a pat on its muzzle. Idly, she clicks her tongue, as she takes in the camp. "Sounds like we're bunking together, Trixi and Erika. Unless you want to sleep under the stars, than gossip in a tent."
Finding a good spot to drop her bag for a time, Molle grabs one of her handaxes. She calls out over her shoulder, "I'll go grab some firewood, Gen. We'll get those birds roasting in no time." She whistles as she walks off, twirling the weapon in her hand.
Perception:7
Survival: 15
The ever growing document of character concepts can never be too long, can it?
Erika nods. "This gossip sounds fun! A tent will be warmer, though I never miss an opportunity to see the stars if the night is clear." She looks at the Zira. "Zira, will you be joining us? There would be space for one other, though I will admit, this may just be a plot to bribe your cat some more." A small smile follows.
With a bit of twilight exploration, she'll set her hunting trap along a small game path, hoping to snare a tasty critter. Then she'll return to the campfire with some herbs and berries, and clean and dress the rabbits of the morning. Into a stewpot they go, a counter to the wild birds. As she cooks, she will note to the others where her trap is, so that none take a wandering nightly relief into a spring-loaded steel jaw.
Survival: 10
Perception: 18
Aldrik Reinholdt in Dragon Heist
Daventry in The Candlekeep Mysteries, and her bag