Six From Gate Pass - A War of the Burning Sky Campaign (3.5)

[fromage67]

Lars reaches into his vest and hands over the forged papers with a weary air. "All right, listen up. If you don't want to spend the rest of your career washing latrines with your fingernails, you will read the orders, open the gate, and get OUT OF OUR WAY! We are on an urgent mission."

 

[Gregor]

The guard accepts Lars' and the rest of the party's papers, but doesn't seem to be intimidated by the outburst. "Listen sir, I appreciate your urgency, but uh, if you could remain calm while I inspect these, you'll be on your way alot quicker. I didn't become a sargent for nothing you know."

He turns his eyes to the papers, inspecting them closely. He raises an eyebrow in curiosity as he leafs through each one. As he is reviewing, time seems to stand still and you nervously wonder whether Arnir's forgeries will do the trick. The guard starts to frown, but his face immediately switches to panic as a keening sound cuts the air and an arrow strikes a tankard of hot tea out of the hands of one of the guards by the fire. The other two drop to a crouch and raise shields - even you seem a bit unnerved by the shot.

Suddenly, a voice, from behind you calls out: "Oy! Up here Sargent Mallory! Just came to give my regards to the husband of a fine woman. While you were chilling your arse off on the wall, I was keeping her warm!"

Turning around you see Rantle, standing on a nearby rooftop with a short bow in hand. His cape blows in the wind, creating a striking silhouette against the morning clouds. The sargent holding your papers gains a look of fury on his face: "Rantle! You son of a succubus! I'll have you and your whole guild hung!" He turns to the men by the fire: "Up you louts and bring me his sorry carcass!" he then turns to the wall and calls to the men on parapits: "Why are you standing there gaping?! Loose bolts you fools!"

Rantle laughs and ducks behind a chimney as heavy bolts skip off clay roof tiles. The nearby guards charge off from the gate and the men on the wall reload.

The sargent, clearly distracted, looks over your papers for a mere moment before slipping them into his tabbard: "Fine, fine, it all looks fine." Turning back the gate house he cries out: "Open the gate, we have a lieutenant and his group exiting the city. I have their papers. Hold the line till I get back and call in for replacements. Tell the new sargent we'll be back with Rantle and probably some of his guild mates!" He then draws his sword and bids you luck before running towards the building where Rantle was last seen.

A loud, cranking mechanical sound begins to emanate from the gatehouse and the heavy wooden doors begin to lurch outward. Its clearly been a while as chunks of ice and snow fall off the door as slowly creaks open. A cold blast of winter wind strikes your face as you move up to the opening and file through. A few moments after you've all exited, the gatehouse starts to crank again and the door closes behind you with a loud thud.

You now stand outside of Gate Pass, feet deep in blown snow, patches of ice and scattered gravel. With a final look back at her home, Torrent tightens her winter cloak and motions for you to follow. It takes only a few minutes before you walk with Torrent onto a large road, well worn with wagon ruts. Rough and rocky cliffs, patched with snow and ice, rise up to flank you on either side and a lone watch tower stands sentinel to your left, towering above the cliffs.

She turns back as she walks:"Well, congratulations everyone. We did it, we're out of the city and we have the intelligence. This road is a bit rough and hilly, so lets not push it too hard. It'll turn into the old Elf Road when we reach the Fire Forest in about 30 miles. On foot and in this terrain its likely going to take us almost 4 days."

 

[fromage67]

Lars reverts to his familiar appearance once they are out of sight of the walls. "That was dicey! Good old Rantle came through. Four days of walking!" Lars blows out his cheeks and shakes his head in mock discouragement.

 

[digimattic]

Arnir looks behind at the city he barely knew. All he wanted was to get out of city and now that he has, he feels torn between leaving this troublesome band of do-gooders, and thinking his chances of survival may be better with them. Ultimately he decides to stick with them for the time being...but the next prisoner is getting killed, no questions asked.

As a peace token, he casts prestidigitation on the group - even Bannock - to clean them up. "Well, let's get moving." he says as he buttons his cloak and surveys the land around him.

 

[Bannock]

Bannock looks up in surprise as the blood and grime magically vanishes from his clothes and belongings. He raises an eyebrow at Arnir.

"Well! At least you clean up after yourself."

He turns to look back at the city for a moment. He wishes his fellow Gate Pass denizens luck against Ragesia and hopes they can hold out until he returns. He's traveled beyond the gates before, but he has a feeling that he and this group may have a long and dark time ahead of them.

He throws on a hooded greatcloak and marches into the cold landscape.

 

[Gregor]

You all walk through the cold wind for the rest of the day. The road is as Torrent said: hilly, rough and tiring. Gate Pass is about 7 or 8 miles behind you now and the sun is setting on the horizon, changing the grey clouds into a deep dark blue. Its almost night fall.

Exhausted, especially given your few hours of sleep last night, you arrive at a well-used campsite in a large natural stone overhang along the side of the road. The overhang provides shelter from rain or snow and its shape allows for some relief from the cold wind. A large fire pit sits in the middle and you can see, from the ruts, that many a wagon has rested here. You figure it must be a common stopping place for merchants or other travelers as there is a large stack of fire wood piled up which forms a wall between the overhang and the elements.

You all follow Torrent under the overhang, which is high enough for even Bannock not to worry about hitting his head and take a seat. Torrent blows on her hands and asks: "Does anyone have any flint and steel, I forgot to pack some. We should get a fire going and then set up tents. The sun is already beyond the cliffs and its only going to get darker and colder. I've got a bottle of whiskey on me, I'll pop it open once we've got some flames going."

GM: I'll leave it up to you to mark off any food and water you consume tonight. Also, check how many tents, blankets and/or cold weather outfits you have. When outdoors, you'll need to make a Fortitude save vs. DC 15 each morning or be fatigued for the day due to the temperature. Cold weather outfits grant you a +5 on your roll. I'll leave you to manage those saving throws each morning.

 

[Bannock]

Bannock searches his huge traveling backpack, pulls out a bedroll and winter blanket for himself, and unrolls a small tent that was strapped to the outside of the bag.

"No such luck here, I forgot to bring flint as well. We might be able to get a fire started without any, I've seen my father do it with only sticks. But hey, can't you all-powerful magicians just conjure up a fire for us?"

He begins to stake out the tent.

 

[digimattic]

Arnir sighs as he reaches into his backpack and produces a flint and steel. He casts light on a rock nearby so that it can act as a lantern in the cave until the fire is started. He shivers as he anticipates the night ahead and takes a small sip from his flask.

Handing the flint to Torrent he says "The fire up ahead sounds like a relief."

 

[Adjuntive]

Alric breaks out a tent and a bedroll. "Room for another. As long as they don't snore." Upon completing the tent setup he turns to Torrent. "I advise a watch. I volunteer for last watch. I wake quickly and early."

Alric rubs his sides hoping to ward off the cold. He feels the chill going right down to his bones and expects he will not sleep well tonight. He would prefer a fire and some hot wine, but he supposes a camp fire and a tent will suffice. Suddenly Alric finds himself lamenting about the lass he caught from the burning building. He hums a jaunty tune and sips from his flask as he wonders looking her up upon his return to Gate Pass.

OOC: Alric removes his armour and lays it with his pack by his bedroll. He will don the armour upon his waking for watch. Alric is wearing a cold weather outfit and carries a winter blanket. The roll is his fortitude save for the morning and accounts for the +5 he gains for having the cold weather outfit.

 

[Bannock]

Bannock nods appreciatively at Arnir.

He moves into his now completed tent, reaches into his large pack and emerges with a second bedroll and another winter blanket which he has been carrying with him as long as he's been with the group. He tosses them at Arnir's feet.

"I'm not too tired. I'll stay up first and watch the lot of you, unless someone wants to keep this simple oaf some company."

He keeps is armour and winter cloak on, and digs into his rations for some dinner. He only has enough to last him until the end of tomorrow.

"I'm looking forward to that whiskey, Miss Torrent!"