With a general consensus reached, the group changes course and begins the westward journey towards the Highsummer/Midsummer pass and (hopefully) Billy's captured friend.
Billy joins Zeke at the lead, followed as usual by Krog and Brocke with Alistair bringing up the rear.
(Let's get a survival check, with advantage, from Zeke OR Billy to navigate and perception checks from everyone else.)
(Okay, with a Nat 20 I'm going to go ahead and say that you've managed to plot out a course using one of the peaks of the Northwall Mountains as a fixed landmark. As long as the group is still headed towards the pass we can forego any further survival checks for navigation)
“So what’s your story? How did you fall into this mess?” Zeke asks of Billy. “Good group here. Some good smashers and Alistair can sing a song, but I’m happy to have a fellow dwarf in the company.”
Without pausing for a response or waiting for Billy to ask, Zeke shares his recent past. “Until recently, I was a sergeant in the local militia, with 4 armsmen reporting to me. We were in charge of the secondary gate to our village, so mainly watching carts and commoners wander in and out. Nothing difficult and usually nothing memorable- although I do have a few stories from those days.”
He gesturing wildly as he apparently randomly chooses paths and continues the story. “However, I had a falling out with the lieutenant in charge of my district - turns out he did not think his daughter should be sleeping with a sergeant. Despite my armsmen warning me that getting romantic with her was a bad idea, I couldn’t resist - she had a beautiful wart on each dimple that made it look like she had small tusks when she smiled.” He lets out a small sigh and a dreamy grin at the memory before taking a sharp right onto a barely present trail and resuming his monologue.
“On that fateful day, as soon as I got my pants back on, I grabbed my backpack and equipment from the barracks and got out of town. I ran to the big city and the local temple saved me. Literally, since the lieutenant was only a few steps behind me. I ran into the outer vestibule and stayed there for six weeks. By the end of my time there, I was a changed dwarf and have recommitted to Moradin and to my fellow dwarfs. Soon thereafter, I came across this opportunity and am happy to be a part of something bigger.”
(Bill, if you don't have one already, take an inspiration for sharing/encouraging others to share their backstories in character in a natural and believable way.)
"That is quite the tail. What happened to the young lady?"
"My story is not so interesting. I grow up in a small village. Got bord runaway to the and joined the army this was one of my biggest assignments to date."
“Wench is now with a damn pointy-eared pretty-boy elf. Harumph.” This conclusion finally calmed Zeke’s flapping tongue, although he was still apparently taking random turns on faint trails with the general direction being westward and upward.
As Zeke guides the band through the forest and foothills of the Northwall, some of the companions share stories of their past while others are lost in their own private thoughts.
Only Krog remains alert enough to notice that something is amiss.
The sound he hears begins like the screech of some large bird of prey but ends in a vibrating tone that reminds you of a high-pitched whiny. The sound echos off of the rocks and hills but you would guess it's coming from somewhere to your right and uphill.
Zeke notices Krog's increased readiness so gets his head out of his past to pay attention to right now. He also hears the noise and starts to think what it could mean. For better or worse, the traveling group and the noise appear likely to meet.
As Krog looks for the source of the noise a second call echos off of the rocks, obscuring the direction of its source.
From Zeke's position, the location of the cry is easier to pinpoint. Turning his attention more to the left from the direction that Krog is facing he spots a large winged horse as it flies into view and settles on top of a sheer cliff where the distinction between hills and mountains becomes more blurry.
Billy also spots the creature, though he doesn't get a very good look. His attention is turned more towards a rocky outcropping nearby that should be large enough to conceal a dwarf.
(Feel free to post your reactions but I'm going to hold my next post at least until Vetallica can respond)
Krog will sheathe his sword and ready his long bow, "Let's see how much distance we can get before we lose daylight. Lead the way."
Krog will actively scan for tracks along the way. (Unaided Passive Check 13)
With a general consensus reached, the group changes course and begins the westward journey towards the Highsummer/Midsummer pass and (hopefully) Billy's captured friend.
Billy joins Zeke at the lead, followed as usual by Krog and Brocke with Alistair bringing up the rear.
(Let's get a survival check, with advantage, from Zeke OR Billy to navigate and perception checks from everyone else.)
Survival 14+2=16 and 20+2=22
(Okay, with a Nat 20 I'm going to go ahead and say that you've managed to plot out a course using one of the peaks of the Northwall Mountains as a fixed landmark. As long as the group is still headed towards the pass we can forego any further survival checks for navigation)
“So what’s your story? How did you fall into this mess?” Zeke asks of Billy. “Good group here. Some good smashers and Alistair can sing a song, but I’m happy to have a fellow dwarf in the company.”
Without pausing for a response or waiting for Billy to ask, Zeke shares his recent past. “Until recently, I was a sergeant in the local militia, with 4 armsmen reporting to me. We were in charge of the secondary gate to our village, so mainly watching carts and commoners wander in and out. Nothing difficult and usually nothing memorable- although I do have a few stories from those days.”
He gesturing wildly as he apparently randomly chooses paths and continues the story. “However, I had a falling out with the lieutenant in charge of my district - turns out he did not think his daughter should be sleeping with a sergeant. Despite my armsmen warning me that getting romantic with her was a bad idea, I couldn’t resist - she had a beautiful wart on each dimple that made it look like she had small tusks when she smiled.” He lets out a small sigh and a dreamy grin at the memory before taking a sharp right onto a barely present trail and resuming his monologue.
“On that fateful day, as soon as I got my pants back on, I grabbed my backpack and equipment from the barracks and got out of town. I ran to the big city and the local temple saved me. Literally, since the lieutenant was only a few steps behind me. I ran into the outer vestibule and stayed there for six weeks. By the end of my time there, I was a changed dwarf and have recommitted to Moradin and to my fellow dwarfs. Soon thereafter, I came across this opportunity and am happy to be a part of something bigger.”
(Bill, if you don't have one already, take an inspiration for sharing/encouraging others to share their backstories in character in a natural and believable way.)
"That is quite the tail. What happened to the young lady?"
"My story is not so interesting. I grow up in a small village. Got bord runaway to the and joined the army this was one of my biggest assignments to date."
Alistair perception 19
“Wench is now with a damn pointy-eared pretty-boy elf. Harumph.” This conclusion finally calmed Zeke’s flapping tongue, although he was still apparently taking random turns on faint trails with the general direction being westward and upward.
"Well sound like her tastes have faulted. You will find another that will be even better and not related to your CO."
(Still waiting on Perception checks from everyone except Alistair & Zeke)
(Most of the party has a better Perception than Krog, but OK.)
Krog Perception 6
Perception = 8
(You would think that but...)
As Zeke guides the band through the forest and foothills of the Northwall, some of the companions share stories of their past while others are lost in their own private thoughts.
Only Krog remains alert enough to notice that something is amiss.
The sound he hears begins like the screech of some large bird of prey but ends in a vibrating tone that reminds you of a high-pitched whiny. The sound echos off of the rocks and hills but you would guess it's coming from somewhere to your right and uphill.
(Well, that's a first.)
Krog will stop and look toward the noise, knocking an arrow just in case. Another Perception 16
(OOC-Now that is more like Krog!)
Zeke notices Krog's increased readiness so gets his head out of his past to pay attention to right now. He also hears the noise and starts to think what it could mean. For better or worse, the traveling group and the noise appear likely to meet.
Perception 17+2=19
Billy
"Should we take cover?" Billy whispers already looking for a place to hide.
Perception = 12
As Krog looks for the source of the noise a second call echos off of the rocks, obscuring the direction of its source.
From Zeke's position, the location of the cry is easier to pinpoint. Turning his attention more to the left from the direction that Krog is facing he spots a large winged horse as it flies into view and settles on top of a sheer cliff where the distinction between hills and mountains becomes more blurry.
Billy also spots the creature, though he doesn't get a very good look. His attention is turned more towards a rocky outcropping nearby that should be large enough to conceal a dwarf.
(Feel free to post your reactions but I'm going to hold my next post at least until Vetallica can respond)
When Krog sees it, he gasps for breath, "Magnificent." He says aloud. "That would make a grand mount, a great honor to have such a companion."
He studies the great beast to see if he can discern its intent. Animal Handling 20