The Nolands

[Michael New]

You push north to try to hit the next stopping point (the upper grey square NE of Riddleport) by nightfall.  Sandru seems satisfied with the trading, and he's now looking forward to trading with the Horsemen of the Velashu Uplands and of the Nolands, a few days before Brinewall.

As the sun sets, you see a large river to your northwest, and Apollyon's peak to your east.  

Four more days pass as the lands you travel in gradually get colder.  Colder, in this case, means the grass is shorter, the trees shorter too, and fewer leafy green trees, but the same number of evergreens.  The Red Mountains to your east have noticeably more snow than the Stony Mountains before them.  You wonder what sort of Giants and other frightening creatures live within those peaks.  Passing over the Velashu Uplands, you see tribes of what you may think are Shoanti clans, fantastic riders on the swiftest horses you've ever seen.  But Ameiko tells you they are not Shoanti, but rather of Ulfen blood; they are the Horsemen, and they are who Sandru is here to trade with.

Finally, Sandru stops the caravan at a spot some miles from the mountain range and just west of the river.  There is an abandoned wooden structure here, little more than a roof with wood supports.  A number of thick tree stumps are scattered about, and Sandru uses them to set up and display some of his wares.  Though on the northern edge of the Velashu Uplands, he tells you the Horsemen have been expanding into the Nolands, and have been battling and enslaving the rabble that are the Nolands Brigands.  He thinks they will control the Nolands within the next five years, and when that happens, the Shoanti and the Linnorm Kings will no longer be able to ship their criminals to this land.

As he sets up his trading camp, a band of riders on horses approach.  You are all on guard, but they are merely here to trade.  They are large and wild, but appear in control, and happy for a chance to meet and trade with southerners.

[dungeon master]

Tara watched the Barbarians approach and was ready for a fight, seeing they were coming to trade, she relaxed and just kept an eye on things in case there was any trouble.

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[Anodyzed]

Nico will pay close attention to the negotiations involved in the trading.

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[Michael New]

The Horsemen are no-nonsense traders.  They look at something, ask a price, and if they don't like the price they put it down hard and walk away.  None of them seem to like bartering for items.

Sandru plays at the game, since he knows it well.  He seems to be able to tell if someone really wants something versus when they are just curious; and how far off the price should be.  If the discrepancy is too large, he just shrugs it off and moves on.

After a while, the first clan moves off, though a few stay on to chat with Sandru, in a mix between the Varisian and Skald languages.   They talk about what has been going on in the region - how the Horsemen are expanding north, what the Ulfen to the north think, and so on (you know this if you speak either of these languages).

Throughout the day a similar story plays out several times, as other groups or clans stop by.

[Gary Thomas]

"Well if I were a craftsman, or a wealthy nobleman there seems to be no limit to the fortunes I might further amass. As it stands I am happy to once again walk among the sun and the stars and enjoy each day and night as it comes." Says Daergast in response to all the potential buyers and clansman coming to trade and talk.

[cyber...@sasktel.net]

Kiyo Aki-jin

Watches the peripherary for any signs of danger while the trading occurs.

For a small period in the afternoon he wanders in closer to see if they trade or pay in coin.

If he notices anything made of cold iron he'll move closer.

--

CyberSavant

cyber...@sasktel.net
AIM: cybrsvnt ICQ: 78031576 Yahoo: thorazbrynaziir
http://cybersavant.tripod.com/cybersavantsmatrix/
http://webspace.webring.com/people/us/star_trek_interactive/
webring: star_trek_interactive

[Gary Thomas]

If nothing else is pressing at the moment Daergast hangs out near Sundru, curious as to how the negotiations are handled.

[Michael New]

Trade happens fast, and it's mostly gold Sandru wants - these Horsemen do not have much else he values.

One group from the direction of the mountain brought a reddish ore called cinnabar.  Sandru takes that off them; he says there are alchemists in Korvosa who will pay well for it.

Sandru is satisfied with all his dealings, and declares that tomorrow you all will move on to the last leg of the journey -- a two day trip to Brinewall Castle.

[dungeon master]

Tara watches the the people ride off, shrugs, stretches.

At the news about the last leg of the trip coming, she smiles,

"That's great news, looking forward to seeing this castle."

--

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[Michael New]

A day passes and you all find yourself in the most stark campsite yet.  You're out in the middle of a field, right next to the track you were following all day.

Clouds in the sky turn into rain after the darkness sets in, and you begin your watches, hoping nothing will want to come out in this weather.

Early morning arrives, and all is quiet until a loud, long cry of outrage comes from Sandru's tent!

[Gary Thomas]

Daergsst hurries up, after waking and quickly puts his armor on(don hastily). He then rushes over to Sundu's tent to see what all the commotion is about. "What's the matter? Please tell me no one was abducted by a demon again?" Queries Daergast.

[Michael New]

Sandru looks at Daergast and a few others who just arrived at his wagon.  "My strongbox has been taken!  It has all the gold I've made!  Look!"

He shows you where the canvas of his wagon covering has been cut with a sharp blade.

[Anodyzed]

Nico immediately starts looking for tracks or some sign left by the thief.

(20 on the first roll)

[dungeon master]

Tara comes running over, sword ready, then starts looking around the area, in the other wagons, in other tents

--

[cyber...@sasktel.net]

Kiyo Aki-jin

"We could use some tracking magic.  Whoever did it must be in the camp, unless someone was waiting for us, invisible."

On Sun, 16 Feb 2014 10:18:35 -0500, Michael New <mi...@noozoo.com> wrote:

Sandru looks at Daergast and a few others who just arrived at his wagon.  "My strongbox has been taken!  It has all the gold I've made!  Look!"

He shows you where the canvas of his wagon covering has been cut with a sharp blade.

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[Gary Thomas]

[Gary Thomas]

Daergast begins to look around the outside of the tent for any visible tracks. "Up what do we have here, nope just a snail." Says Daergast.

Survival 13

[BigLee]

Slug shows up and offers to help look for tracks as well.  But having been woken from a deep sleep, he doesn't seem to be picking up on anything.

 

Survival check: 6

[Michael New]

Daergast and Slug set about looking for tracks, but it is Nico with his sharp eyes who finds the fairly obvious tracks leading up the road.

You follow them for a short ways, up the left side of the road, then to the right, and then they disappear.

[cyber...@sasktel.net]

OOC: what does the terrain here look like specifically?

On Mon, 17 Feb 2014 13:11:44 -0500, Michael New <mi...@noozoo.com> wrote:

Daergast and Slug set about looking for tracks, but it is Nico with his sharp eyes who finds the fairly obvious tracks leading up the road.

You follow them for a short ways, up the left side of the road, then to the right, and then they disappear.

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[Gary Thomas]

Daergast searches the area where the tracks disappear. Survival 16

[BigLee]

Once again, Silug looks for signs of the tracks.  And once again, he has no luck seeing anything.

 

Survival 7  :(

[Michael New]

At first the tracking team can't seem to find the tracks.  They just end.

One thing that is noticed: the last footprints are together, as if the walker stopped.  And they're deeper in the muddy ground than the others, indicating possibly a jump.  Searching off the side of the 'road', the near side to the tracks show no more.  But on the farther side (the left), Daergast finds some crushed grass.  He thinks he has picked up the trail again!

(more tracking rolls, please)

[BigLee]

Finally, Silug thinks he's found something useful in the grass.

 

Survival 24

[Anodyzed]

Nico continues to look for the tracks, casting about hoping to find sign left by this devious thief.

(Rolled 20 Perception, would be 19 if Survival instead)

[Gary Thomas]

Daergast 14.

Checking for more tracks.  

Sent from my iPhone

--

[Michael New]

After Daergast finds some tracks off the road, Silug helps to find them looping around and heading off to the northwest.  He takes off so fast Daergast has a hard time keeping up.

(Who else is in this group following the tracks?)

[Anodyzed]

Nico follows Silug and Daergast

[Gary Thomas]

Or perhaps Daergast, even though moving slightly slower ignores all brush, grass, and terrain features and really is able to track at a good pace with his Woodland Stride feature.

Sent from my iPhone

[cyber...@sasktel.net]

Kiyo Aki-jin

follows the group following the tracks

On Thu, 20 Feb 2014 22:45:24 -0500, Michael New <mi...@noozoo.com> wrote:

After Daergast finds some tracks off the road, Silug helps to find them looping around and heading off to the northwest.  He takes off so fast Daergast has a hard time keeping up.

(Who else is in this group following the tracks?)

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[Michael New]

Bug follows along with with Kiyo, and Tara after him.

The tracks head northwest for a time, until you see them coming to a small hill.  Most of you notice the smell of smoke now.

[Gary Thomas]

"Careful, probably going to be a battle, if those clansman feel that they've been unjustly done in a trade, we should go with Diplomacy as we will probably be outnumbered." whispers Daergast.

[BigLee]

 "Don't be so hasty, my dwarf friend, to dismiss the benefits of a good battle.  Let's see if we can spot them first before we decide."

 

Suspecting the smoke to be a campfire for the night (maybe), Silug readies his bow and begins to search for the source of the smoke. 

[Michael New]

Slug merely needs to continue following the tracks in the wet ground.  They lead over a low part of the hill.  The source of the smoke might be on the other side of the hill.

[Anodyzed]

Nico points out, The tracks may not go to that fire, I suggest we continue following the tracks rather than making straight for the smoke we see. 
Nico continues to follow Silug watching the tracks.

[dungeon master]

Tara puts a hand on the hilt of her sword and looks around,

"I agree, lets follow the trail, unless whoever has the fire wants a fight?"

--

[Michael New]

You follow the trail of the thief, and as you come around the hill, you see smoke in the air.  Shortly, a loud laughing sound is in front of you, and a large hyena appears in front of you, barking.  It is about fifty feet away from you.  Shortly after that, another four run up and join the first, growling and barking at you all.

[dungeon master]

Tara draws her sword, looking around at the Hyenas, "I guess the decision has been made for us."

On Sat, Feb 22, 2014 at 1:56 PM, Michael New <mi...@noozoo.com> wrote:

You follow the trail of the thief, and as you come around the hill, you see smoke in the air.  Shortly, a loud laughing sound is in front of you, and a large hyena appears in front of you, barking.  It is about fifty feet away from you.  Shortly after that, another four run up and join the first, growling and barking at you all.

--

[Anodyzed]

Nico draws his sword and tries to position himself for when/if the fight comes, to be able to flank opposite either Tara or Silug.

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[Gary Thomas]

Daergast moves near slug maybe he will be able to aid him in combat and is ready with some lightning.

Sent from my iPhone

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[Michael New]

The hyenas keep their distance, barking and yelping at you, jumping around.

[Gary Thomas]

Daergast proceeds with caution then.

[Michael New]

So, you guys are moving toward the hyenas?


--
----------------------_/ /\/\ /\/ -----------------------

[Gary Thomas]

Was intended to move towards there exact location. Are you able to be more specific with direction we were heading and keep their distance? Are they centralized in an area?

[Michael New]

You are headed over a hill, and following tracks over a hill.  50 feet in front of you are the Hyenas, together in a group.

Vegetation is scrub, with occasional rocks, bushes and trees.  You are headed generally west.

[Gary Thomas]

Ok, Daergast attempts to circle wide left, "Let me go and check, maybe they've killed our thief and are protecting the kill?"

[Anodyzed]

Nico will keep nearer Daergast, so the hyenas don't see him as 'the cut' from our group.

[Michael New]

The hyenas move away from you as you move forward, even though you're heading around them.

[dungeon master]

Tara turns to follow Daergast, sword on her shoulder, held with one hand, while keeping an eye on the hyenas

On Mon, Feb 24, 2014 at 4:06 PM, Michael New <mi...@noozoo.com> wrote:

The hyenas move away from you as you move forward, even though you're heading around them.

--

[BigLee]

[Sorry for the prolonged silence.]

Silug pulls his bow and asks Tara, "You want I should shoot one of them?"

[dungeon master]

Tara shakes her head, "Naw, let'em be, they are more afraid of us then we are of them."

On Tue, Feb 25, 2014 at 8:17 AM, BigLee <bigl...@gmail.com> wrote:

[Sorry for the prolonged silence.]

Silug pulls his bow and asks Tara, "You want I should shoot one of them?"

--

[BigLee]

Slug turns an inquisitive look at Tara.  "You're afraid of them?"

Before she can answer, he lets out a little chuckle and offers her a wink and a smile.

He keeps his bow ready, if not for the hyenas then for whoever (or whatever) their barking may attract.

[Gary Thomas]

Daergast continues cautiously and still circles somewhat.  He's not sure why there are hyenas here, or if their related to the missing chest. He continues with caution.

[cyber...@sasktel.net]

Kiyo Aki-jin

Follows along after the others, warily watching the hyenas.

On Tue, 25 Feb 2014 13:08:25 -0500, Gary Thomas <sirrobe...@gmail.com> wrote:

Daergast continues cautiously and still circles somewhat.  He's not sure why there are hyenas here, or if their related to the missing chest. He continues with caution.

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[Michael New]

A man approaches the hyenas from the other side.  He is smiling, almost laughing, as he holds up a sheet of paper, waving it in the air.  "Is this yours?"

[BigLee]

Silug doesn't ask for permission this time.  He draws his bow and aims at the man.  He doesn't fire....yet

[Anodyzed]

Nico points to the hyenas, Are those yours?

[Sir Robert Gerard]

How close are the Hyena's?

[Michael New]

You're about 40' away from the closest hyena.

----------------------_/ /\/\ /\/ -----------------------

On Fri, Feb 28, 2014 at 12:23 PM, Sir Robert Gerard <sirrobe...@gmail.com> wrote:

How close are the Hyena's?

[Gary Thomas]

Daergasr attempts to cautiously and quietly get just a little closer to the animals.

[dungeon master]

Tara, still hand on her sword, starts to walk towards the Man, "I think it might be," she says as shes walking

On Fri, Feb 28, 2014 at 1:18 PM, Gary Thomas <sirrobe...@gmail.com> wrote:

Daergasr attempts to cautiously and quietly get just a little closer to the animals.

[Michael New]

Two more people show up, one man and one woman.  The first man speaks again.  "What do you want here?"

[Gary Thomas]

Daergast frowns inwardly for abandoning his plan for the time being, but smiles outwards. "My friends and I are following a trail. It has led us here, have you been down to the caravan nearby at all?" He asks politely.

[Michael New]

"The caravan?" he looks over where you came from.  "Oh, no I have not been there recently.  Just hanging out in my camp over here..."

[Gary Thomas]

"Oh ok then.  Hello, my name is Daergast and these are my friends. What do you go by?"  Says Daergast as he walks to the man offering to shake hands with a smile.

Sent from my iPhone

On Mar 4, 2014, at 11:57 PM, Michael New <mi...@noozoo.com> wrote:

"The caravan?" he looks over where you came from.  "Oh, no I have not been there recently.  Just hanging out in my camp over here..."

--

[BigLee]

Silug lowers his bow (but leaves the arrow nocked, just in case) and mutters something about being too friendly.

[Anodyzed]

Nico smiles at Silug's comment and also remains wary of the friendly stranger with the hyenas as pets!

[Michael New]

"Hello Dar-guest, I am Yirjid.  These are my pals - I call them Harhar, Yip, Growler, Snarl, and Mute."  The man responds, smiling.

He's wearing hide armor and carries a greataxe.

[BigLee]

Silug eyes the man and says to his companions, "Maybe we should mention the fact that something was stolen from us and the tracks have led us here?"

[Gary Thomas]

Daergast slightly disgruntled that the cats out of the bag makes a mental note to chat about discretion later, excluding being approached by a squadron of griffon riders. He then pulls out his calm animals scroll and centers the effect on the most hyenas he can.

[Anodyzed]

Nico watches carefully to see if the man and his companions will interfere with Daergast casting from a scroll.

[dungeon master]

Tara laughs at Slug's comment, trying to play it off as a joke

Bluff 17

http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4422819/

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[Michael New]

The man watches as Daergast casts a spell, taking a defensive posture.

(what is the save DC, and how many are affected?)

He is interested in watching what the Hyenas do...  then he says, "You may be looking for the Black Boots.  They would do that kind of thing.  I think they are off to the northwest, on the main road."

[Gary Thomas]

6 hd of hyenas 1st level Druid, so dc 11.

"Mind if we take a look around first? It's a pretty big box and all. You could only hide it in a hole, you haven't been doing any digging have you?" Says Daergast. This of course as he wonders if the guys a liar, or really giving us a good clue.

[Anodyzed]

Nico's not sure why this guy would let a stranger cast from a scroll without interruption, but he doesn't trust the guy, and so keeps a close eye on him and his associates.  He pays close attention to see if he can tell if the man is bluffing or deceiving Daergast.

(Sense motive 16)

[Michael New]

The hyenas are still yipping and playing, though one of them has stopped to just watch you.

Nico senses no deception in the man's way of speaking.  He seems confident although wary of you all, and keeps his distance.

"No, no holes around here.  Though there are plenty of rocks one could hide something under, and scrub, and natural formations."

--

[dungeon master]

Tara just lets Daergast do the talking while she looks around for anyone else coming or any hostile actions by the people

[cyber...@sasktel.net]

Kiyo Aki-jin

Also hangs back, wary and watching for others as well as the Hyena man

--

[Michael New]

"The main road is the one back there, behind you.  More like a wagon path than a road, but you know what I mean...  What did you do to Snarl?  I've been trying to get her to calm down forever, but I never been able to do it."  The man is conversational.

[Gary Thomas]

Daergast looks the calmed creature over. "Just calmed her/him(whichever is appropriate); she's the same actually." Daergast reaches for his dwarven spirits. "Care to have a bit? We've followed a trail here, and now are at an odd place. So, you're saying you haven't been to the caravan at all, and it's probably these others that have taken our chest?" Asks Daergast as he offers the man a drink of the good stuff.

[Michael New]

The man steps forward cautiously, nodding.  "I can't say for sure, but I would guess."  He accepts the spirits, and holds it, asking "What is this?  Has a .... different smell."

[Gary Thomas]

"Dwarven Spirits, what else?" Says Daergast with a wink, as he glances about for nooks and crannies while having some liquor.

[Michael New]

The man introduces himself as Trask, and then he takes a drink.

"ooh, powerful stuff, that!" says Trask.

[dungeon master]

Tara chuckles at Trask, "Its good stuff tho, just got a kick to it."

On Tue, Mar 11, 2014 at 12:33 AM, Michael New <mi...@noozoo.com> wrote:

The man introduces himself as Trask, and then he takes a drink.

"ooh, powerful stuff, that!" says Trask.

--

[BigLee]

Ever the socialite, Silug grunts impatiently and says, "If this guy didn't take the chest, then whoever it was is getting farther away by the minute."

[Gary Thomas]

Daergast having issues with subtlety tries to keep his impatience about the scene somewhat to himself, "Hey Listen Trask, we've tracked a set of tracks from the road where the caravan is at to right here.  Would you mind if we looked about your camp to make sure there's no chests about?" Asks Daergast, as he's certain the direct approach shall yield better results.

[Michael New]

"By all means, go ahead!"  He finishes a swig and hands the flask back to Daergast.  "Here, let me get my dogs out of your way.."   He calls to the hyenas, and they keep barking and laughing, save one, but eventually they follow him as he moves off to the side.

[dungeon master]

Tara nods, starts to walk forward looking around, trying to help those better at searching or spotting.

On Tue, Mar 11, 2014 at 8:17 PM, Michael New <mi...@noozoo.com> wrote:

"By all means, go ahead!"  He finishes a swig and hands the flask back to Daergast.  "Here, let me get my dogs out of your way.."   He calls to the hyenas, and they keep barking and laughing, save one, but eventually they follow him as he moves off to the side.

--

[Michael New]

Trask points over the hill.  "My camp is over there, about two minutes walk."

[BigLee]

Silug had decided that this guy isn't the thief.  But he let the others do as they wanted.

 

"Tell me about these 'black boots' you mentioned before," Silug asks the man.

[Anodyzed]

Nico continues to stay near Silug, not trusting this setup. 

[Michael New]

Slug and Nico are staying here...  What about everyone else?

[cyber...@sasktel.net]

Kiyo Aki-jin

follows along, about 10' or so back

[cyber...@sasktel.net]

Kiyo Aki-jin

 

follows along, about 10' or so back

On Tue, 11 Mar 2014 20:30:24 -0500, dungeon master <burgerm...@gmail.com> wrote:

[Michael New]

Who is Kiyo following?

----------------------_/ /\/\ /\/ -----------------------

[Gary Thomas]

Perception check 11

Daergast takes a look around where we are, not at the camp.

"Slug maybe we missed the tracks and they didn't lead here. Anyone want to help slug and someone give me a hand too. Trask here is gracious enough to indulge our folly, so let's give it a look and then be in our way if we have followed the wrong trail, ok? Trask would you care for another swig? You should be feeling if now, no?" Then Daergast hand him the spirits if he'll take some more and begins to look around.

[cyber...@sasktel.net]

Tara  [thought it was obvious since i replied to that post]

On Wed, 12 Mar 2014 19:09:50 -0400, Michael New <mi...@noozoo.com> wrote:

Who is Kiyo following?

On Wednesday, March 12, 2014, <cyber...@sasktel.net> wrote:

Kiyo Aki-jin

follows along, about 10' or so back

On Tue, 11 Mar 2014 20:30:24 -0500, dungeon master <burgerm...@gmail.com> wrote:

Tara nods, starts to walk forward looking around, trying to help those better at searching or spotting.

[Anodyzed]

Nico responds, I'll stay with Silug.

[Michael New]

So, all of you are looking around here now.

----------------------_/ /\/\ /\/ -----------------------

[Michael New]

You all look around here, and find plenty of bushes, grasses, and rocks, but no buried treasure.

Trask takes another swig of the drink, but stops there.  Soon, he reaches down, picks up a stick and starts to whittle it.