[IC] The Trouble at Durbenford

[michael_noah]

As the party plans the outing, they find easily that passage can be had aboard a boat across the lake for 4gp each. Doing so would most likely shave quite some time if you can convince the boatsmen to drop you near the longitude of the mountain. Stabling for Northwind can be had at a number of places in the city for 2gp per week.
[sblock=ooc]I didn't note it before, but the location marked as Mt. Rynas is about 10 miles north from the lake, and 20 miles from the eastern edge of the Kal'lugus mountain range.

Zagnak is familiar with all of the standard information about cold, mountainous environments found in the SRD here: mountains, cold, weather.
[/sblock]

 

[Lazlow]

"Well, I'm always up for a boat ride."

 

[Bloodcookie]

"Yes, I think hiring conveyance across the lake would be well worth the cost, considering the supplies and time we would consume in circumambulating it. Aside from that, I would certainly be willing to share the cost of a tent with one of you all."

 

[hero4hire]

"Harumph...Travel in mountains very dangerous. More dangerous then big plant. Even with equipment, very dangerous...Without right equipment, some will die....Not Zagnak of course!
Zagnak will get right gear, keep warm, keep safe. Cannot take lowlanders too high too quickly though...Get sick." Zagnak drained another frothy beverage before announcing; "Will get gear now...Good gear cost good monies though."

 

[Dichotomy]

"Then allow me to accompany you. I should have enough spare coin to cover the up front costs. And perhaps I can negotiate a better price for us, as long as you can tell me what we actually need and what it should cost."

Assuming that plan is agreeable, Konstatine will accompany whomever else is going to get supplies, and the bard will, indeed, try to work the best deal he can.

 

[hero4hire]

Zagnak nods, and rises from the table. He stretches, making all sorts of odd popping and cracking sounds before heading for the door, assuming whomever wants to will follow.

 

[michael_noah]

The party is able to easily find what they need in the way of mundane supplies, and Konstantine is able to secure them a 20% discount by mentioning their recent heroic actions.
[sblock=ooc]Feel free to update your sheets with purchases, etc. I'll post regarding the beginning on the journey tomorrow.

If you wish to buy magical or fantastic items, let me know. Most that are inexpensive enough for you to purchase at the moment should be available.[/sblock]

 

[Vigwyn the Unruly]

Padraig, Male Human Veteran (Fighter)

Padraig picks up a variety of items he thinks will come in handy on the journey, including a winter blanket, a grappling hook, a climber's kit, a week of trail rations, a cold weather outfit, crampons*, and fur clothing*. Padraig already has a tent, and is willing to share with anyone in need of shelter.

"Once again, Konstantine, we owe you a debt of thanks for your honeyed words."

"Zagnak, do you think I have missed anything important? Also, given your quite advanced survival skills, do you think you will be able to scavenge firewood on most days?"

[sblock=OOC]* = from Frostburn, pending DM approval.

Crampons are metal spikes that lash to your footwear and legwear, granting a +2 circumstance bonus to Balance checks made to avoid slipping on an icy surface, and a +2 circumstance bonus on Climb checks.

Fur clothing conists of layered furs, and can be worn over armor or regular clothing. Fur clothing grants a +5 circumstance bonus to Fortitude saving throws against exposure to cold weather. (When worn over a cold weather outfit [see PHB] the bonuses stack, granting a total of +10.) Fur clothing increases armor check penalties by 2.[/sblock]

 

[michael_noah]

The group makes their preparations to set out and finds their way to the wharfs. There, they are met with gruff, but pleasant fisherman. It does not take long to find one willing to make a little extra money to ferry them across.

The trip across is uneventful, but startlingly beautiful, especially near the opposite shore. There, snowmelt waterfalls feed the lake, and rainbows play along the mist at the base of many. Rynas' Tears itself is pristine, clear, and calm but for the bountiful fish that occasionally leap from the surface.

Thereafter, having left the fishermen behind, the party finds the way again largely pleasant. They spend the rest of this first day of their journey traversing rocky hills until they find one of the passes marked on Master Orin's map. By the time they set up camp, the lake is only visible from as they top one rise after another. As the sun sets, a chill begins to set in, but none so harsh as the snowcapped peaks ahead foretell.
[sblock=ooc]Feel free to continue purchases, etc. The equipment mentioned above sounds great. Please let me know if I move you too far, or not far enough, without input.[/sblock]

 

[Vigwyn the Unruly]

Padraig, Male Human Veteran (Fighter)

Padraig finds a good stable for Northwind, and pays the stablekeeper 1 week's gold up front. Then he grooms the horse and gives him an apple before saying his goodbyes.

Once on the lake, Padraig is in awe of nature's wonder. Seldom has he had the opportunity to set out across the water. He finds himself admiring the men and women who make their living on the silvery lake. The trip is worth every bit of the 4 gold pieces he pays. Saying goodbye to the fisherman, he finds himself already looking forward to sailing the lake again on the way back.

After spending all day climbing, Padraig is bone-weary as he and his companions settle in for the night. "Zagnak, have you had any luck finding firewood? A roaring fire would be welcome to chase away the cold."

As the chill sets in, Padraig sets up his two-person tent, then changes from his armor to his cold weather outfit.

[sblock=OOC]I think the pace is good. Sometimes in PbP things can get slow if the party isn't sure what's next, or is at a decision point and nobody wants to step on anybody else's toes. At those times, it helps for the DM to step in and keep things moving along. So far, so good. [/sblock]