(IC - D&D 3.5) Rathan's Problem Down Under

[ghostcat]

Has no pot is forthcoming, Lidia gets to work roasting the vegetables. Once they are ready, she removes them from the fire and splits them into four portions. "Dinner's ready. Sorry there are no plates or forks. I'm used to improvising in the wild. So you gentlemen are are just going to have to rough it."

 

[ethandrew]

Anton takes his share and hungrily paces himself as he eats the food, taking intermittent drinks of water from the wondrous geode Menhir provided. This was proving to be a very eclectic company, Anton preferring the watch and listen approach over the dive-right-in. Between bites and drinks Anton speaks to the others, "I suppose if all else we can use my helm as a cooking pot, but then while wearing it I might become distracted by the delicious smells."

 

[Rathan]

As dusk and finally night settles over the rolling landscape all of you can't help but notice two small flickers of light in the foreground of blackened mound in the distance. The light seems natural enough in manner but what strikes you all odd is firelight out here where no one seems to be traveling anymore... especially this late.. as most know night travel is not always the most safe really....

 

[Neurotic]

"Delicious, Lidia. Thank you."

OOC: How much distance? Is it something that could be scouted out or is it all the way at the mound?

"Eh, there is fire overthere. Should I go check it out before we go to sleep?"

 

[unleashed]

Menhir reaches its stubby fingers into its own head and pulls out the bunch of grapes it had interred there the previous day, proffering the fresh fruit to Eltyr as it considers the man's request. It has some trouble envisaging who the man meant when he referred to its "people". Finally the elemental rumbles out a hesitant response. "Terran is very different than your organic language. Some words and... concepts don't translate well. Organic largely ignores the..." The elemental issues a gravely sound that slowly lowers in pitch before ending in a resounding crack. "...the being, the state. You'd have to learn to express it correctly."

Eltyr takes the fruit with a smile, popping a few grapes into his mouth and chewing thoughtfully as he listens to Menhir’s response ... offering the grapes to the others once the elemental finishes speaking.

“Well Menhir, I have learned Auran, the language of the air, so I believe I recognise the general concepts and difficulty we organics have, both in understanding and replicating the elemental tongues. I look forward to your lessons, as even if I don’t master Terran it will be enlightening nevertheless ... an education to be sure,” Eltyr replies with a grin.

 

[unleashed]

Has no pot is forthcoming, Lidia gets to work roasting the vegetables. Once they are ready, she removes them from the fire and splits them into four portions. "Dinner's ready. Sorry there are no plates or forks. I'm used to improvising in the wild. So you gentlemen are are just going to have to rough it."

“I guess I’ll just have to manage then,” Eltyr remarks with a wink, chuckling as he takes the proffered fare. Blowing on the roasted vegetables to cool them a little, he takes a big bite and says, “Thanks Lidia, much better than my last attempt ... feel free to cook anytime you like.”

Between bites and drinks Anton speaks to the others, "I suppose if all else we can use my helm as a cooking pot, but then while wearing it I might become distracted by the delicious smells."

Laughing at Anton’s remark about his helm being used as a cook pot, Eltyr adds, “Good one Anton, though I’d be more worried about creatures finding my head even more appetising.”

"Eh, there is fire overthere. Should I go check it out before we go to sleep?"

“Indeed there is Berrek,” Eltyr remarks, gazing towards the mound, “Though it’s not much, just a few flickers. Hmmm, does anyone know of any creatures or people that might live in the area, seeing as it’s probably too dark for travellers?”

 

[Ambrus]

“Well Menhir, I have learned Auran, the language of the air, so I believe I recognise the general concepts and difficulty we organics have, both in understanding and replicating the elemental tongues.”

Menhir emits a brief echoing rumble. "Auraun is nothing at all like Terran."

 

[Rathan]

The flickering light seems to be in the foreground of the mound but not by much... You would guess that the light is right there at the mound but with the distance between it and you (about 1,000 feet) it's hard to tell.... The flickering light does not seem to be moving around at all however.... that much you can tell for sure...

 

[ghostcat]

Lidia eats her meal and listens to the complements with obvious pleasure. "Thank you for the complements. I am glad you enjoyed the cooking. Its a pleasure to cook for an appreciative company."

Listening to the conversation about the fire, she comments "Give me a minute to check, it might not be a camp fire. It could be a natural phenomena, such as swamp gas, or a monster such as a will-o-wisp." Lidia looks towards the fires and concentrates for a minute or two.

[sblock="OOC"]Take 10 (10+6=16) on Knowledge (Nature) to determine if the lights are from a camp fire, burning swamp gas or will-o-wisp.[/sblock]

 

[Neurotic]

Berrek observes along with Lidia thinking hard who might be there now that the location is fixed in his head. He comes up with nothing from his prior knowledge, not surprising considering his troubled memory.

However, his eyes are as sharp as ever and he carefuly notes any detail discernible at such distance.

Knowledge (local)(1d20+2=8); Spot (1d20+7=27)

Assuming it's not natural phenomena:
"It's not that far, I can reach it in 10 minutes tops even at night. Menhir, could you please run around our camp submerged as much as possible, we may have been noticed too since we had fire built. Maybe they are scouting US out.

While you do that I'll prepare for the excursion and I'd appreciate if you could follow me from some distance. You others, be prepared. Would any of you casters be willing to part from a spell you think could be useful on this venture?"

Berrek studiously covers or removes any items that might shine in the night or are too bright for night scouting. He takes some soot and smears it accross his face and eyes to hide whitness of the skin.

He then tucks various items in his belt for easy reach, alchemist fire for party alert, smokestick for quick escape against enemies who see in the dark, tanglefoot bag and caltrops (tightly pressed so they don't jingle) for hampering the followers. Finally, he cocks the crossbow and straps it accross his back. Then he stretches to checking his freedom of movement and, if nobody objects, dissapears in the dark.

Hide; Move silently (1d20+9=22, 1d20+9=22)

OOC: feel free to adjust these rolls for circumstance and preparation
I assume Menhir is just as noisy as normal human barbarian would be because he moves the earth or things on it while moving?