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<blockquote data-quote="Insight" data-source="post: 5484850" data-attributes="member: 11437"><p>[ooc]The skill challenge, "The Road to Safeton", continues. We currently have 4 Successes and 0 Failures.[/ooc]</p><p></p><p>The group - Revv Aair and his nephew, Bellod, Billy Silvertongue, the gnome illusionist, Grimgal Ironhearted, the dwarven priest of Moradin, Jordi Tonbarrel, the human warrior, Keldok the Bludgeoner, half-orc scoundrel, and Zindra Silvermoon, the elf ranger - traveled the road east for some time without incident. For once, the road was an uneventful as Revv Aair had promised upon meeting the heroes of Hommlet. The travelers met only the occasional merchant or other random traveler heading west from Safeton to Hommlet, or, more likely, points farther west-northwest, such as Verbobonc and Veluna.</p><p></p><p>The travelers found the Welkwood rather peaceful, a canony of green, brown, red, and yellow leaves, with the normal squirrel, raccoon, or deer running across the well-traveled road. On the third day since what Grimgal termed the "gnome event", the travelers, late in the day, came upon the banks of a pond overlooked by a grassy meadow. After checking around the perimeter of the pond and its environs, Zindra declared the spot right for camp and the group set about their normal early-evening activities.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: gold">"See?"</span> Aair said. <span style="color: gold">"This is a safe road. To Safeton!"</span> Bellod let out a chuckle at that one.</p><p></p><p>Zindra sat down next to Jordi. <span style="color: lightgreen">"This area is known to be replete with evil humanoids - goblins, kobolds, gnolls, orcs, and so forth. I'm rather surprised we haven't see too many."</span></p><p></p><p>Jordi tugged a piece of boiled pheasant off its leg. <span style="color: royalblue">"Do you think we've just been lucky not to have run into them?"</span></p><p></p><p><span style="color: lightgreen">"It's possible,"</span> Zindra said.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: royalblue">"Unlike our friend, Keldok,"</span> Jordi said. <span style="color: royalblue">"I'm not really looking for a fight. I'm perfectly happy to have a safe and uneventful trip the rest of the way to Safeton."</span></p><p></p><p>Zindra looked to the distant ridge. <span style="color: lightgreen">"They hunt at night, you know. Especially the orcs."</span></p><p></p><p><span style="color: royalblue">"I'm not terribly worried about orcs,"</span> Jordi said.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: lightgreen">"Not singly or in small groups, no. But in large numbers... we haven't seen the likes of an orc warband. The few of us can do little against such forces, even if individually they can barely cause a scare."</span></p><p></p><p>The elf stood up and took a few steps towards the pond. <span style="color: lightgreen">"That ridge could conceal quite a few enemies."</span></p><p></p><p>Jordi joined her. <span style="color: royalblue">"Don't get jittery. You checked it, right?"</span></p><p></p><p>Zindra continued towards the pond. <span style="color: lightgreen">"I'm sorry, Jordi. I have to go make sure. Stay close to the camp."</span></p><p></p><p>[ooc]Zindra attempts a Nature check and a Perception check. These are not directly related to the challenge. These are successful, so Zindra and her allies gain +2 bonuses to Perception and Stealth checks made as part of this.[/ooc]</p><p></p><p>Zindra crept around the pond and up the grassy ridge. There, the elf ranger found some ettins, a large group of goblins, and smaller groups of bugbears and orcs. There were also some war dogs, no doubt controlled by the orcs. A lone half-orc led them. Zindra had not been seen. She realized that this large a group of bandits would prove too much for her and her companions, so Zindra would have to sneak back and warn her companions before the bandits attacked.</p><p></p><p>[ooc]Can Zindra make it back to camp unnoticed by the bandits? She attempts a Stealth check to do so. This is directly part of the skill challenge. The Stealth check is successful. SUCCESSES: 5, FAILURES: 0.[/ooc]</p><p></p><p>Zindra found the camp in order. While Grimgal tended to the campfire, Billy recounted tales of his homeland in Verbobonc, of the gnomes, and of the Feywild.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: lightgreen">"An attack is imminent,"</span> Zindra announced. <span style="color: lightgreen">"There are dozens of them - goblins, orcs, bugbears, and a few ettins."</span> She looked to Jordi. <span style="color: lightgreen">"This is what I was worried about!"</span></p><p></p><p>Jordi grabbed his scale mail armor and started putting it on. Billy gathered his goods. Grimgal had not yet removed his armor, as he was to take first watch. Keldok was already geared up and itching to defend his companions.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: gold">"Can't we just get out of here?"</span> the halfling merchant asked.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: lightgreen">"No,"</span> the elf said. She looked to the ridge. <span style="color: lightgreen">"They will see us run. The war dogs, if nothing else, will track us down."</span></p><p></p><p><span style="color: slategray">"War dogs?"</span> the priest asked. <span style="color: slategray">"Mayhap the orcs are ridin' 'em, then. I've done my fair share o' defendin' me clan against orc invaders. They don't ride war dogs unless there's a warband afoot. I s'pose them orcs mighta stolen the dogs from their warband, but..."</span></p><p></p><p><span style="color: royalblue">"We don't have time to debate the finer points of orcish warbands, now, Grim,"</span> Jordi said as he continued to strap into his armor.</p><p></p><p>Billy looked across the pond. <span style="color: lightblue">"I don't suppose there's any chance to avoid violence?"</span></p><p></p><p>Keldok frowned at the very idea.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: lightgreen">"We could run and hope they can't find us,"</span> Zindra said. <span style="color: lightgreen">"We're in no shape, really. Not with the wagon."</span></p><p></p><p><span style="color: gold">"Don't leave my wagon behind!"</span> the merchant cried.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: lightblue">"Perhaps they're not looking to sack us,"</span> Billy said. <span style="color: lightblue">"Bigger fish, you know."</span> The gnome took a few steps towards the pond. <span style="color: lightblue">"Maybe they'll recognize us as the heroes of Hommlet and be too afraid to..."</span></p><p></p><p>Billy's voice trailed off as a horn sounded from across the lake. Dozens of humanoids began pouring over the grassy ridge.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: lightblue">"Perhaps not."</span></p><p></p><p>[ooc]This is going to become a combat encounter, but the PCs are not intended to fight <em>all</em> of the bandits. In fact, if the PCs figure out what's going on and are clever enough, they may only have to fight a few of the enemies and drive the rest of them off.</p><p></p><p>The first thing, however, that the PCs must do is determine what's going on. This is a group Perception check. Because of the distance and darkness, it would normally be a -10 to the check. Zindra's prior reconnoitering gives each of them a +2 bonus, for a net -8 to the group check. Zindra will be the main roller. The rest are making checks to aid another. All of the aid another checks got at least a 10, so that's a +8, cancelling out the effects of the darkness. Unfortunately, Zindra rolls a 1, the only thing that would have caused her to fail. SUCCESSES: 5, FAILURES: 1.[/ooc]</p><p></p><p>The heroes looked around the pond area. They heard movement, but none could make out exactly what was happening. All they knew was that the bandits Zindra had described were on the move and that there were quite a few of them.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: orange">"They mean to surround us,"</span> Keldok said. <span style="color: orange">"If they are bandits, they mean to rob us, not kill us. They will surround us, announce that there's no way out, and demand our coin or our lives."</span></p><p></p><p><span style="color: slategray">"We don't know for <em>shure</em> that they're bandits,"</span> the dwarf said. <span style="color: slategray">"Could be a war party come to kill anyone who crosses the road."</span></p><p></p><p><span style="color: lightblue">"We have seen many merchants heading west and none mentioned being attacked or robbed,"</span> Billy said. <span style="color: lightblue">"Except, you know, <em>those two</em>."</span></p><p></p><p>Keldok took two steps to the southeast. <span style="color: orange">"Speculation is getting us nowhere. We must act."</span></p><p></p><p><span style="color: slategray">"Aye, ye daft son-of-an-orc, but we dinna know what we're dealin' with!"</span></p><p></p><p><span style="color: lightgreen">"We know they have a leader,"</span> Zindra said. <span style="color: lightgreen">"If I know anything of the sorts who tend to become leaders of these groups, the leader will command from behind. He's probably directly across the pond from us. Striking the leader, taking him down, will almost certainly demoralize the rest of them. We could win this very quickly."</span></p><p></p><p><span style="color: orange">"I say we make a break for it,"</span> the half-orc said. <span style="color: orange">"Head this direction. Lead them away from the camp. We should be able to take down small groups of goblins and whatnot while the others redirect."</span></p><p></p><p><span style="color: lightgreen">"If they are deploying as you say, Keldok, that will leave us flanked, in any event. Just flanked in a different way."</span></p><p></p><p><span style="color: orange">"Not if we take out one of their units, elf,"</span> Keldok replied. <span style="color: orange">"We can bust a hole in their line and escape."</span></p><p></p><p>Jordi had just finished strapping on his shield. <span style="color: royalblue">"What of the merchant and his wagon? We cannot just leave it here while we escape."</span></p><p></p><p><span style="color: slategray">"I agree with the elf,"</span> Grimgal said. <span style="color: slategray">"Take out their leader and watch the rest of the bandits scurry into the darkness."</span></p><p></p><p>Zindra turned to the half-orc. <span style="color: lightgreen">"Keldok, you and I will sneak around the pond and strike at the leader and his guards, if any, from cover."</span> She turned to Jordi and Grimgal. <span style="color: lightgreen">"Jordi, you and Grim get straight across the pond as best you can. It didn't look too deep."</span></p><p></p><p><span style="color: slategray">"They won't be expecting us to come directly at their leader,"</span> Grimgal added.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: lightblue">"I'll stay here and cause trouble for the bandits in my own ways,"</span> Billy said, smiling. He looked to Revv Aair and Bellod. <span style="color: lightblue">"This is going to be great fun!"</span></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Insight, post: 5484850, member: 11437"] [ooc]The skill challenge, "The Road to Safeton", continues. We currently have 4 Successes and 0 Failures.[/ooc] The group - Revv Aair and his nephew, Bellod, Billy Silvertongue, the gnome illusionist, Grimgal Ironhearted, the dwarven priest of Moradin, Jordi Tonbarrel, the human warrior, Keldok the Bludgeoner, half-orc scoundrel, and Zindra Silvermoon, the elf ranger - traveled the road east for some time without incident. For once, the road was an uneventful as Revv Aair had promised upon meeting the heroes of Hommlet. The travelers met only the occasional merchant or other random traveler heading west from Safeton to Hommlet, or, more likely, points farther west-northwest, such as Verbobonc and Veluna. The travelers found the Welkwood rather peaceful, a canony of green, brown, red, and yellow leaves, with the normal squirrel, raccoon, or deer running across the well-traveled road. On the third day since what Grimgal termed the "gnome event", the travelers, late in the day, came upon the banks of a pond overlooked by a grassy meadow. After checking around the perimeter of the pond and its environs, Zindra declared the spot right for camp and the group set about their normal early-evening activities. [color=gold]"See?"[/color] Aair said. [color=gold]"This is a safe road. To Safeton!"[/color] Bellod let out a chuckle at that one. Zindra sat down next to Jordi. [color=lightgreen]"This area is known to be replete with evil humanoids - goblins, kobolds, gnolls, orcs, and so forth. I'm rather surprised we haven't see too many."[/color] Jordi tugged a piece of boiled pheasant off its leg. [color=royalblue]"Do you think we've just been lucky not to have run into them?"[/color] [color=lightgreen]"It's possible,"[/color] Zindra said. [color=royalblue]"Unlike our friend, Keldok,"[/color] Jordi said. [color=royalblue]"I'm not really looking for a fight. I'm perfectly happy to have a safe and uneventful trip the rest of the way to Safeton."[/color] Zindra looked to the distant ridge. [color=lightgreen]"They hunt at night, you know. Especially the orcs."[/color] [color=royalblue]"I'm not terribly worried about orcs,"[/color] Jordi said. [color=lightgreen]"Not singly or in small groups, no. But in large numbers... we haven't seen the likes of an orc warband. The few of us can do little against such forces, even if individually they can barely cause a scare."[/color] The elf stood up and took a few steps towards the pond. [color=lightgreen]"That ridge could conceal quite a few enemies."[/color] Jordi joined her. [color=royalblue]"Don't get jittery. You checked it, right?"[/color] Zindra continued towards the pond. [color=lightgreen]"I'm sorry, Jordi. I have to go make sure. Stay close to the camp."[/color] [ooc]Zindra attempts a Nature check and a Perception check. These are not directly related to the challenge. These are successful, so Zindra and her allies gain +2 bonuses to Perception and Stealth checks made as part of this.[/ooc] Zindra crept around the pond and up the grassy ridge. There, the elf ranger found some ettins, a large group of goblins, and smaller groups of bugbears and orcs. There were also some war dogs, no doubt controlled by the orcs. A lone half-orc led them. Zindra had not been seen. She realized that this large a group of bandits would prove too much for her and her companions, so Zindra would have to sneak back and warn her companions before the bandits attacked. [ooc]Can Zindra make it back to camp unnoticed by the bandits? She attempts a Stealth check to do so. This is directly part of the skill challenge. The Stealth check is successful. SUCCESSES: 5, FAILURES: 0.[/ooc] Zindra found the camp in order. While Grimgal tended to the campfire, Billy recounted tales of his homeland in Verbobonc, of the gnomes, and of the Feywild. [color=lightgreen]"An attack is imminent,"[/color] Zindra announced. [color=lightgreen]"There are dozens of them - goblins, orcs, bugbears, and a few ettins."[/color] She looked to Jordi. [color=lightgreen]"This is what I was worried about!"[/color] Jordi grabbed his scale mail armor and started putting it on. Billy gathered his goods. Grimgal had not yet removed his armor, as he was to take first watch. Keldok was already geared up and itching to defend his companions. [color=gold]"Can't we just get out of here?"[/color] the halfling merchant asked. [color=lightgreen]"No,"[/color] the elf said. She looked to the ridge. [color=lightgreen]"They will see us run. The war dogs, if nothing else, will track us down."[/color] [color=slategray]"War dogs?"[/color] the priest asked. [color=slategray]"Mayhap the orcs are ridin' 'em, then. I've done my fair share o' defendin' me clan against orc invaders. They don't ride war dogs unless there's a warband afoot. I s'pose them orcs mighta stolen the dogs from their warband, but..."[/color] [color=royalblue]"We don't have time to debate the finer points of orcish warbands, now, Grim,"[/color] Jordi said as he continued to strap into his armor. Billy looked across the pond. [color=lightblue]"I don't suppose there's any chance to avoid violence?"[/color] Keldok frowned at the very idea. [color=lightgreen]"We could run and hope they can't find us,"[/color] Zindra said. [color=lightgreen]"We're in no shape, really. Not with the wagon."[/color] [color=gold]"Don't leave my wagon behind!"[/color] the merchant cried. [color=lightblue]"Perhaps they're not looking to sack us,"[/color] Billy said. [color=lightblue]"Bigger fish, you know."[/color] The gnome took a few steps towards the pond. [color=lightblue]"Maybe they'll recognize us as the heroes of Hommlet and be too afraid to..."[/color] Billy's voice trailed off as a horn sounded from across the lake. Dozens of humanoids began pouring over the grassy ridge. [color=lightblue]"Perhaps not."[/color] [ooc]This is going to become a combat encounter, but the PCs are not intended to fight [i]all[/i] of the bandits. In fact, if the PCs figure out what's going on and are clever enough, they may only have to fight a few of the enemies and drive the rest of them off. The first thing, however, that the PCs must do is determine what's going on. This is a group Perception check. Because of the distance and darkness, it would normally be a -10 to the check. Zindra's prior reconnoitering gives each of them a +2 bonus, for a net -8 to the group check. Zindra will be the main roller. The rest are making checks to aid another. All of the aid another checks got at least a 10, so that's a +8, cancelling out the effects of the darkness. Unfortunately, Zindra rolls a 1, the only thing that would have caused her to fail. SUCCESSES: 5, FAILURES: 1.[/ooc] The heroes looked around the pond area. They heard movement, but none could make out exactly what was happening. All they knew was that the bandits Zindra had described were on the move and that there were quite a few of them. [color=orange]"They mean to surround us,"[/color] Keldok said. [color=orange]"If they are bandits, they mean to rob us, not kill us. They will surround us, announce that there's no way out, and demand our coin or our lives."[/color] [color=slategray]"We don't know for [i]shure[/i] that they're bandits,"[/color] the dwarf said. [color=slategray]"Could be a war party come to kill anyone who crosses the road."[/color] [color=lightblue]"We have seen many merchants heading west and none mentioned being attacked or robbed,"[/color] Billy said. [color=lightblue]"Except, you know, [i]those two[/i]."[/color] Keldok took two steps to the southeast. [color=orange]"Speculation is getting us nowhere. We must act."[/color] [color=slategray]"Aye, ye daft son-of-an-orc, but we dinna know what we're dealin' with!"[/color] [color=lightgreen]"We know they have a leader,"[/color] Zindra said. [color=lightgreen]"If I know anything of the sorts who tend to become leaders of these groups, the leader will command from behind. He's probably directly across the pond from us. Striking the leader, taking him down, will almost certainly demoralize the rest of them. We could win this very quickly."[/color] [color=orange]"I say we make a break for it,"[/color] the half-orc said. [color=orange]"Head this direction. Lead them away from the camp. We should be able to take down small groups of goblins and whatnot while the others redirect."[/color] [color=lightgreen]"If they are deploying as you say, Keldok, that will leave us flanked, in any event. Just flanked in a different way."[/color] [color=orange]"Not if we take out one of their units, elf,"[/color] Keldok replied. [color=orange]"We can bust a hole in their line and escape."[/color] Jordi had just finished strapping on his shield. [color=royalblue]"What of the merchant and his wagon? We cannot just leave it here while we escape."[/color] [color=slategray]"I agree with the elf,"[/color] Grimgal said. [color=slategray]"Take out their leader and watch the rest of the bandits scurry into the darkness."[/color] Zindra turned to the half-orc. [color=lightgreen]"Keldok, you and I will sneak around the pond and strike at the leader and his guards, if any, from cover."[/color] She turned to Jordi and Grimgal. [color=lightgreen]"Jordi, you and Grim get straight across the pond as best you can. It didn't look too deep."[/color] [color=slategray]"They won't be expecting us to come directly at their leader,"[/color] Grimgal added. [color=lightblue]"I'll stay here and cause trouble for the bandits in my own ways,"[/color] Billy said, smiling. He looked to Revv Aair and Bellod. [color=lightblue]"This is going to be great fun!"[/color] [/QUOTE]
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