Qidira feels the sensation of the Ring and is comforted by it. Tracking a tracker seemed useful.
When Orvo comments on the near miss a short bit back, she picks up her pace a little feeling better closer to the group. If she'd have dropped off without the rope, they'd never know. Was it better that she hadn't known danger was so close then or that he let us travel calmly by without knowing? She decides that Orvo may have made the best decision not telling them and increasing their anxiety.
As Brandon speaks up regarding the figures up ahead, she wonders. They must be native here so lightly garbed, likely not even human. "Should we untie ourselves and remove our shoes? Seems a hindrance in a fight? How much further until we are clear of the Thin Sheets?" She asks subtly shifting to have her crossbow at the ready.
As he notices the silhouettes in the distance Kotar could not help but to think which kind of people would stand there. The easy answer was explorers. Men and women seeking fortune in the Aeroian relics. But then he noticed how lightly dressed they seemed to be traveling. Folk from the continent dressed more heavily around those parts, hidden upon layers and more layers of pelt and fur. The only kind of people to scorn the cold of the land that way was, well, his people. But what would any goliath be making so far from the mountains? Like I’m one to ask, he thought to himself dryly.
“Let’s untie from rope but keep it in hand and take care to move around safe areas only if a fight break, but let’s not draw our blades yet.” He said untying himself, but still holding the cord with his free hand. “Look at their clothes and movements.” The fighter comments trying to make something out of the distant figures. “They are not hindered by the cold and this far into Eiselcross… They may be like me.”
If they were then rather than combat they could have a talk, maybe gather some information of what laid in wait for their expedition. Just maybe.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Durnham is freaked out by Orvo’s casual mention of a near fall. Undulation in the snow? What the hell was he talking about it all looked the same?! Everywhere he looked it was just snow and more snow! He proceeds even more carefully and step where Orvo steps… thankful that they were able to convince him to guide the group.
As they notice a group of figures Durnham hushes them “Don’t untie the ropes you idiot! I’m not going to make a wrong step and fall below!” He is very agitated and scared of a fall into an icy death at any step. “Just give me a second to take a closer look.” With that his eyes go white as he joins with Archimedes and flys over the group ahead to get a closer look.
Archimedes flies above the group to see who they are or what they’re doing 14
"The paths of the natural world guide us even within this barren land." Is all Ressys says at the words of Orvo regarding their close call.
When the group of other travelers appears he watches them with interest. He looks to Kotar and back to the others. "They seem not bothered by the cold as you are not Kotar. Are your people one group or many clans and groups?"
Orvo strains his eyes to see ahead: "Must be a goliath hunting party; strange for these parts but not unheard of. Depending on their mood and success so far they may offer to trade, or..."
He looks uncomfortably at Kotar: "Or they might decide they need our supplies. They're a ways off still, we might be able to go arouind if we want, and they haven't spotted us. Would add some time to our journey"
@Durnham:
Archimedes soars high and looks down at the group. Through his eyes you see the hunters - definitely goliaths. You count eight, they seem to be looking in your group's direction but also around. Their intent is hard to determine.
@Kotar:
You do not know of any tribes in this area; they are either a completely different nation, in which case you cannot rely on any hospitality outside of mutual wanderers, or they are mountain hunters a long way from home. Either way, your opinion might be the same as Orvo - if they are hungry and low on supplies they will likely consider it a practical matter to relieve you of yours. If they are well stocked then they should see no benefit in attacking - unless they are on some sort of rite of passage trial and need a trophy...
Durnham returns back to his body. “There’s 8 goliaths. They look like hunters but we couldn’t see if they had caught any game.” He turns to look at Kotar. “What do you think Kotar? They’re youre people, would they be willing to talk to us, perhaps share information or trade goods? Or should we avoid them?” He turns to look at the others “I’m not much for talking to new people, are any of you better at trade and making friends quickly?”
Qidira is mixed about whether to untie herself so does so but reties it into a more easy-to-release knot in case of a fight. She tucks more of her supplies within the satchel to hide them from view to appear more lightly equipped as they move forward, listening to the guidance of the others.
“Many clans.” He answered to Brandon soon after Durnham spoke. “Some distant allies, some bitter rivals, all of them, at least that I know of, nomadic and organized in what I believe scholars would call a tribal society.” Not that he knew many of them, but he heard folk tales from the Sky Caller. They told as much. “Those can be hunters, a searching party for someone that got lost or even be lost themselves. Worst case they are exiled criminals prowling the area.”And in this case the adventuring party would be a target. Prey. “I cannot say if they are from my clan so I cannot assure they show us any kind of courtesy.They could be willing to speak, but also to rob or even kill us.”He admitted to the wizard while giving up on any attempt to better identify the strangers. “Better thing we can do is keep going on our way, keeping a sharp eye in case they approach. If battle breaks the rope will be a problem so I would recommend everyone but Orvo to untie, prepare to evade any attacks and hold the cord with a single hand.”
This much Kotar was to do himself. Wish for the best, prepare for the worse.
Notes: Kotar takes the dodge action and follows Orvo if the party move.
“Winterwalker is right.” Brandon rests his hand lightly on the hilt of his sword. “There is small reward and great risk from an encounter. The Goliaths could provide us very little we don’t already have. Perhaps they have seen signs of the Professor, but that is not our main mission.”
“We should try to avoid them.” He smiles at Kotar"If they would try to rob us, I don't relish a fight if they are all as strong and capable an opponent as you are."
"Right you are" says Orvo, seemingly relieved at the decision to go round the goliaths. "I'll take us south a bit, you lot keep an eye out to see if they move to meet us - I'll be concentrating on not taking us into a ravine"
The dwarf scout puts his head down as he leans into his stride to get himself going, then starts to scan the ground in an arc to his front. He seems to be taking you off at a right angle to your previous heading, which had been straight towards the goliaths.
At first it looks like they going to stay in position, but then you see them start to move.
@Durnham:
Archimedes reports that the goliaths appear to be gathering up their gear and preparing to move, although no indication which way yet. They have weapons and hunting gear but no heavy packs.
Qidira concentrates on the figures ahead, "They are moving...towards us?" Having difficulty telling which direction they are heading from this distance she looks to Durnham. "What does Archimedes see?"
She continues to keep her crossbow down, but ready should the need arise.
Durnham holds on to the rope and goes in and out of his body to keep an eye on the goliaths. “They’re packing up and moving but we can’t tell yet which direction they’re going yet. It looks like they have a lot weapons and gear but we don’t see any signs of a successful hunt. If they’re out hunting, they probably haven’t found much game yet. Best we stay clear of them.”
Archimedes will keep an eye on them. Durnham doesn’t want the owl to get mistaken for game so if the goliaths notice the owl or begin taking aim at it with weapons Durnham will pull him to a pocket dimension as an action for safety.
The goliaths seem to be heading away, which would have been easy to misinterpret in the conditions
Your party reaches pace, following Orvo as he navigates you through Thin Sheets and away from the unexpected hunters at an angle. You all notice that the tracks you are leaving are not in a straight line, but meander slightly, making you wonder what exactly Orvo is guiding you around.
"They do not seem to be coming our way or showing interest in us at this time. Let us keep moving as this seems to be a perilous area." Ressys remarks as he draws his cloak tighter about him while keeping an eye on the Goliath.
After Durnham’s update on his armed kin, Kotar breathes relieved and ties himself yet again to the rope. He didn’t want to fight there if he could avoid it. The chance of any battle ending with a fall to the death in an ice crevasse was far too high for comfort. That would be a stupid way to go, even for me, he thought to himself remembering the stupidities of his boyhood.
“They were likely a hunting party at the start of their hunting trip.” That or a very unfortunate one. “Goliaths are nomadic by nature, so it is not completely impossible there is a camp relatively close by. There is also the chance that they are youngsters looking to make their names.” Quite literally. “Orvo mentioned a Remorhaz. Even a smaller one would make for a good pray.”
The fighter couldn’t imagine a good coming from killing one of those things, but was sure something impressive could be made. At least better than something earned through mockery or punishment. Thoughts he left behind while turning his focus on the terrain.
“Will the detour cost us much time, Orvo?”Sometime it was sure to cost, but if the weather didn’t get any worse it should be less than a battle would.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
“If there is a Remorhaz about, better they find it than us”Brandon mutters, “but it is good they are moving on. We should stay alert just in case there is a camp nearby”
Perception: 16.
He looks back and, noticing the weaving path they have taken through the snow, shares Kotar’s concerns. “Will we be able to make up for any lost time, Orvo?”
"The detour will cost us a few hours, unless we hit a ravine or a big area of thin ice"
Qidira scans the area you avoided but cannot make out what Orvo has guided you around. Brandon continues to scan for danger but sees no sign of any further obstacles, either creature or natural phenomenon.
You continue onwards, putting the goliaths further behind you with every step. The day grows dark and you eventually make camp to rest your tired legs.
***
The next day is dull by comparison, both in tone and in the lack of activity. A whole day of walking across the frozen wasteland follows, with nothing to break the monotony except a large flock of migrating birds around midday and the strangest of snow flurries in the afternoon; a single sheet of feather-like flake that drop in one layer.
That night by the campfire, Orvo stares into the embers with a stern face and says "Tomorrow we should reach the vault. I will try to be of use, but if I...check out...then please push me along or leave me in place. I won't blame you if you do whatever it takes to survive and - most importantly - get that cure"
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Qidira feels the sensation of the Ring and is comforted by it. Tracking a tracker seemed useful.
When Orvo comments on the near miss a short bit back, she picks up her pace a little feeling better closer to the group. If she'd have dropped off without the rope, they'd never know. Was it better that she hadn't known danger was so close then or that he let us travel calmly by without knowing? She decides that Orvo may have made the best decision not telling them and increasing their anxiety.
As Brandon speaks up regarding the figures up ahead, she wonders. They must be native here so lightly garbed, likely not even human. "Should we untie ourselves and remove our shoes? Seems a hindrance in a fight? How much further until we are clear of the Thin Sheets?" She asks subtly shifting to have her crossbow at the ready.
As he notices the silhouettes in the distance Kotar could not help but to think which kind of people would stand there. The easy answer was explorers. Men and women seeking fortune in the Aeroian relics. But then he noticed how lightly dressed they seemed to be traveling. Folk from the continent dressed more heavily around those parts, hidden upon layers and more layers of pelt and fur. The only kind of people to scorn the cold of the land that way was, well, his people. But what would any goliath be making so far from the mountains? Like I’m one to ask, he thought to himself dryly.
“Let’s untie from rope but keep it in hand and take care to move around safe areas only if a fight break, but let’s not draw our blades yet.” He said untying himself, but still holding the cord with his free hand. “Look at their clothes and movements.” The fighter comments trying to make something out of the distant figures. “They are not hindered by the cold and this far into Eiselcross… They may be like me.”
If they were then rather than combat they could have a talk, maybe gather some information of what laid in wait for their expedition. Just maybe.
Durnham is freaked out by Orvo’s casual mention of a near fall. Undulation in the snow? What the hell was he talking about it all looked the same?! Everywhere he looked it was just snow and more snow! He proceeds even more carefully and step where Orvo steps… thankful that they were able to convince him to guide the group.
As they notice a group of figures Durnham hushes them “Don’t untie the ropes you idiot! I’m not going to make a wrong step and fall below!” He is very agitated and scared of a fall into an icy death at any step. “Just give me a second to take a closer look.” With that his eyes go white as he joins with Archimedes and flys over the group ahead to get a closer look.
Archimedes flies above the group to see who they are or what they’re doing 14
Noob
"The paths of the natural world guide us even within this barren land." Is all Ressys says at the words of Orvo regarding their close call.
When the group of other travelers appears he watches them with interest. He looks to Kotar and back to the others. "They seem not bothered by the cold as you are not Kotar. Are your people one group or many clans and groups?"
Orvo strains his eyes to see ahead: "Must be a goliath hunting party; strange for these parts but not unheard of. Depending on their mood and success so far they may offer to trade, or..."
He looks uncomfortably at Kotar: "Or they might decide they need our supplies. They're a ways off still, we might be able to go arouind if we want, and they haven't spotted us. Would add some time to our journey"
@Durnham:
Archimedes soars high and looks down at the group. Through his eyes you see the hunters - definitely goliaths. You count eight, they seem to be looking in your group's direction but also around. Their intent is hard to determine.
@Kotar:
You do not know of any tribes in this area; they are either a completely different nation, in which case you cannot rely on any hospitality outside of mutual wanderers, or they are mountain hunters a long way from home. Either way, your opinion might be the same as Orvo - if they are hungry and low on supplies they will likely consider it a practical matter to relieve you of yours. If they are well stocked then they should see no benefit in attacking - unless they are on some sort of rite of passage trial and need a trophy...
Durnham returns back to his body. “There’s 8 goliaths. They look like hunters but we couldn’t see if they had caught any game.” He turns to look at Kotar. “What do you think Kotar? They’re youre people, would they be willing to talk to us, perhaps share information or trade goods? Or should we avoid them?” He turns to look at the others “I’m not much for talking to new people, are any of you better at trade and making friends quickly?”
Noob
Qidira is mixed about whether to untie herself so does so but reties it into a more easy-to-release knot in case of a fight. She tucks more of her supplies within the satchel to hide them from view to appear more lightly equipped as they move forward, listening to the guidance of the others.
“Many clans.” He answered to Brandon soon after Durnham spoke. “Some distant allies, some bitter rivals, all of them, at least that I know of, nomadic and organized in what I believe scholars would call a tribal society.” Not that he knew many of them, but he heard folk tales from the Sky Caller. They told as much. “Those can be hunters, a searching party for someone that got lost or even be lost themselves. Worst case they are exiled criminals prowling the area.” And in this case the adventuring party would be a target. Prey. “I cannot say if they are from my clan so I cannot assure they show us any kind of courtesy. They could be willing to speak, but also to rob or even kill us.” He admitted to the wizard while giving up on any attempt to better identify the strangers. “Better thing we can do is keep going on our way, keeping a sharp eye in case they approach. If battle breaks the rope will be a problem so I would recommend everyone but Orvo to untie, prepare to evade any attacks and hold the cord with a single hand.”
This much Kotar was to do himself. Wish for the best, prepare for the worse.
Notes: Kotar takes the dodge action and follows Orvo if the party move.
"We need no supplies or directions or guides. Let us try and avoid them and let them pass." Ressys says
“Winterwalker is right.” Brandon rests his hand lightly on the hilt of his sword. “There is small reward and great risk from an encounter. The Goliaths could provide us very little we don’t already have. Perhaps they have seen signs of the Professor, but that is not our main mission.”
“We should try to avoid them.” He smiles at Kotar "If they would try to rob us, I don't relish a fight if they are all as strong and capable an opponent as you are."
"Right you are" says Orvo, seemingly relieved at the decision to go round the goliaths. "I'll take us south a bit, you lot keep an eye out to see if they move to meet us - I'll be concentrating on not taking us into a ravine"
The dwarf scout puts his head down as he leans into his stride to get himself going, then starts to scan the ground in an arc to his front. He seems to be taking you off at a right angle to your previous heading, which had been straight towards the goliaths.
At first it looks like they going to stay in position, but then you see them start to move.
@Durnham:
Archimedes reports that the goliaths appear to be gathering up their gear and preparing to move, although no indication which way yet. They have weapons and hunting gear but no heavy packs.
Qidira concentrates on the figures ahead, "They are moving...towards us?" Having difficulty telling which direction they are heading from this distance she looks to Durnham. "What does Archimedes see?"
She continues to keep her crossbow down, but ready should the need arise.
Ressys continues to keep a steady eye on the goliaths as he follows the others ahead of him trusting Orvo to the path.
Perception 25
Durnham holds on to the rope and goes in and out of his body to keep an eye on the goliaths. “They’re packing up and moving but we can’t tell yet which direction they’re going yet. It looks like they have a lot weapons and gear but we don’t see any signs of a successful hunt. If they’re out hunting, they probably haven’t found much game yet. Best we stay clear of them.”
Archimedes will keep an eye on them. Durnham doesn’t want the owl to get mistaken for game so if the goliaths notice the owl or begin taking aim at it with weapons Durnham will pull him to a pocket dimension as an action for safety.
Noob
@Ressys:
The goliaths seem to be heading away, which would have been easy to misinterpret in the conditions
Your party reaches pace, following Orvo as he navigates you through Thin Sheets and away from the unexpected hunters at an angle. You all notice that the tracks you are leaving are not in a straight line, but meander slightly, making you wonder what exactly Orvo is guiding you around.
"They do not seem to be coming our way or showing interest in us at this time. Let us keep moving as this seems to be a perilous area." Ressys remarks as he draws his cloak tighter about him while keeping an eye on the Goliath.
Qidira noticing the change in the path beyond just avoiding the Goliath's attention and study the area they just avoided. perception 7
After Durnham’s update on his armed kin, Kotar breathes relieved and ties himself yet again to the rope. He didn’t want to fight there if he could avoid it. The chance of any battle ending with a fall to the death in an ice crevasse was far too high for comfort. That would be a stupid way to go, even for me, he thought to himself remembering the stupidities of his boyhood.
“They were likely a hunting party at the start of their hunting trip.” That or a very unfortunate one. “Goliaths are nomadic by nature, so it is not completely impossible there is a camp relatively close by. There is also the chance that they are youngsters looking to make their names.” Quite literally. “Orvo mentioned a Remorhaz. Even a smaller one would make for a good pray.”
The fighter couldn’t imagine a good coming from killing one of those things, but was sure something impressive could be made. At least better than something earned through mockery or punishment. Thoughts he left behind while turning his focus on the terrain.
“Will the detour cost us much time, Orvo?” Sometime it was sure to cost, but if the weather didn’t get any worse it should be less than a battle would.
Perception: 10
“If there is a Remorhaz about, better they find it than us” Brandon mutters, “but it is good they are moving on. We should stay alert just in case there is a camp nearby”
Perception: 16.
He looks back and, noticing the weaving path they have taken through the snow, shares Kotar’s concerns. “Will we be able to make up for any lost time, Orvo?”
"The detour will cost us a few hours, unless we hit a ravine or a big area of thin ice"
Qidira scans the area you avoided but cannot make out what Orvo has guided you around. Brandon continues to scan for danger but sees no sign of any further obstacles, either creature or natural phenomenon.
You continue onwards, putting the goliaths further behind you with every step. The day grows dark and you eventually make camp to rest your tired legs.
***
The next day is dull by comparison, both in tone and in the lack of activity. A whole day of walking across the frozen wasteland follows, with nothing to break the monotony except a large flock of migrating birds around midday and the strangest of snow flurries in the afternoon; a single sheet of feather-like flake that drop in one layer.
That night by the campfire, Orvo stares into the embers with a stern face and says "Tomorrow we should reach the vault. I will try to be of use, but if I...check out...then please push me along or leave me in place. I won't blame you if you do whatever it takes to survive and - most importantly - get that cure"