stonegod's Expedition to Castle Ravenloft: Ch. I [IC]

[Stormwind]

Ashlyn climbs easily into the saddle of her black-haired mount. She then leans forward and places her hand on the massive beasts neck. After a moment the horse carefully sniffs the air.

[Since we seem to be proceeding on horseback, Ashlyn would have called her mount, Valo. Duration 12 hours (sla usage marked off on sheet)]
[Valo will use his scent ability as we travel to try and locate creatures before we run into them.]
[Ashlyn will use detect undead as we travel to try and detect undead before we run into them.]

 

[Isida Kep'Tukari]

"The horrors we have seen make me wary of straying. I would say we follow the road, but warily," Maraat says softly, clearly still somewhat disturbed by the whole situation in general.

 

[stonegod]

[Valo will use his scent ability as we travel to try and locate creatures before we run into them.]
[Ashlyn will use detect undead as we travel to try and detect undead before we run into them.]

[Scent will help with surprise. Detect undead still requires a standard action to activate and concentration if she wants it up all the time (which she cannot take 10 on since its a distraction---that's why she's concentrating). Pausing every once in a while to scan makes sense, and I'll take that into consideration on the road]

 

[GwydapLlew]

[Scent will help with surprise. Detect undead still requires a standard action to activate and concentration if she wants it up all the time (which she cannot take 10 on since its a distraction---that's why she's concentrating). Pausing every once in a while to scan makes sense, and I'll take that into consideration on the road]

I've been assuming that SG has been taking our mounts' scent ability into consideration. The above is also why I don't constantly detect evil - it leaves one vulnerable to other avenues of attack.

 

[stonegod]

The party slowly follows the road, keeping a wary eye on the horizon. Soon, they come to an old stone bridge over a rapidly flowing cold river. The stonework looks to have been repaired again and again, most likely due to seasonal floods.

"The Ivlis River, according to the villagers," Ashlyn adds as the group crosses its depths.

The forest grows close to the road on this side, its clutches of pines obscured by the mist that hides their tops. Only two visible farms dot the open area to the north of the river. One lays silent, obviously abandoned long before Barovia's current ills. However, the other, closest to the road, seems alive, with a small line of smoke coming from its stone chimney. A lone farmer, feeding some chickens in the cold, midwinter day, looks briefly at the travelers, then turns quickly back to his work.

[You have the option of speaking with the farmer, continuing down the path, or coming up with something on your own. Let me know.]

 

[Stormwind]

[Scanning every once in a while was what I was aiming at. She'll do it from horseback if she can so as not to slow down their travel.]

As they see the farmer Ashlyn stops in the middle of the road and turns in the saddle to face the others, "I believe that we should speak with the farmer there. If he is not aware of the happenings within the town then he must be warned, and if he is aware, then perhaps he can provide us with some insight as to the happennings around here. I would approach him if you are not adverse, though perhaps you could keep a weather eye out for trouble."

She then slowly dismounts and begins to walk over towards the farmer, unless stopped by her companions words or actions.

 

[GwydapLlew]

Sir Khensu will dismount, and keep an eye on their newfound companion. One hand rests easily on the hilt of his axe, awaiting trouble. The superstitions of the residents of this valley weigh heavily on him, and he is unwilling to jeopardize their mission by forcing his presence on them.

 

[DEFCON 1]

Jarrith remains on the back of Selase's old mount even after Sir Khensu dismounts. Ordinarily he would be walking rather than riding, but as they were moving through town he knew that the entire group needed to be mounted in case an incursion occured and they had to make a break for it. The stalker staying on foot would have only slowed them down.

"I am surprised that the disease has not made it out this far. I guess the dead have been remaining in town. This man should count his lucky stars." He scans the countryside, very glad that they made it out of the town unhindered.

 

[stonegod]

Sir Khensu will dismount from Luminous...

[...no he won't. Luminous is on assignment, remember? Khensu and Jarrith are currently sharing Selase's old mount, which isn't very happy about carrying the two of you.]

 

[GwydapLlew]

[...no he won't. Luminous is on assignment, remember? Khensu and Jarrith are currently sharing Selase's old mount, which isn't very happy about carrying the two of you.]

((OOC - Oh! I misunderstood. When you said that the reinforcements met the horse, I thought he had delivered the message and returned. My bad!))