The Treasure of the Tierra Padre... [Knight Otu Judging]

[Pbartender]

There is a clearing on the north side of the river not far from the bridge that seems to be oft used as a camping site. Even from this far away, you can see the charred remains of a campfire in a fire pit at center of a wide swath of beaten down dirt and grass.

 

[msd]

There is a clearing on the north side of the river not far from the bridge that seems to be oft used as a camping site...

Eruin raises his left hand and gestures toward the clearing. In measured tones and in a slightly hushed voice that suggests a bit of misgiving and trepidation, he says "it looks as if we are not the first to have made camp at this point." Turning toward his cohorts, he asks "perhaps one of you will accompany me in making a brief survey of the campsite and the surrounding area before me make camp?"



<ooc>
I would like to search the immediate clearing and the area surrounding the clearing for anything that appears to be out of the ordinary

Search: +6
</ooc>

 

[Kahuna Burger]

Eruin raises his left hand and gestures toward the clearing. In measured tones and in a slightly hushed voice that suggests a bit of misgiving and trepidation, he says "it looks as if we are not the first to have made camp at this point." Turning toward his cohorts, he asks "perhaps one of you will accompany me in making a brief survey of the campsite and the surrounding area before me make camp?"

Katherine has dismounted and was apparently thinking along the same lines. "I'd expect this to be a popular location, but there's still no need to be careless." she says quietly. "If someone wants to feed the horses, I'll help Eruin check the area." She will sweep the area quickly first to see if there is anyone lurking about, then do a more detailed search. (with the aid of a Light spell cast on the feathers of a crossbow bolt if needed.)

[spot +5*, Listen +4*, search +7, Survival (for tracking) +5*.
* +2 against Humans]

 

[El Jefe]

"If someone wants to feed the horses, I'll help Eruin check the area."

Oirhandir is beside himself. True, a quick search of the campsite would be prudent, but if the sun sets before he gets a good look at the river, it will be morning before the band can begin to decide on a route. But it would be disaster if something lurking near the campsite would attack Eruin and Katherine while the rest of the party was feeding horses and Oirhandir was traipsing about the bridge. If only he could dash up there, take a good look, then dash back before any trouble erupted! Oirhandir looks down at his mount, and realizes that it is much faster than any man, elf, or such creature on two legs. He decides.

"I need to take a quick look up river", he calls to no one in particular. "I'll come quickly if needed."

With that, he urges his mount at a dead run toward the bridge. He glances nervously over his shoulder at Eruin and Katherine, then focuses on the road ahead, practically willing the steed to place each step perfectly.

OoC -- Let's see if I've got this right. I presume Rupert has provided us with light horses, which move 60'. However, between his bodyweight and all the stuff he's carrying, Oirhandir's mount has medium encumberance -- which slows it's base speed to 40'. Galloping (running) for a full round quadruples that...to 160'.

Oirhandir isn't a great rider, and he knows it. So if he sees something that would cause a ride check...an unusually steep approach to the bridge, or a bridge paved with slippery cobblestones...he'll just slow down to a walk (40'...X2 for full round action...=80').

He'll continue to keep one eye on Eruin and Katherine, and will go to their aid at the first sign of trouble. Should he make it to the crest of the bridge, he'll study the lay of the land enough to enhance a later Knowledge(Geography) check, then return post-haste to help with the mounts and with setting up camp.

 

[Pbartender]

OOC: El Jefe...

There is a clearing on the north side of the river not far from the bridge that seems to be oft used as a camping site. Even from this far away, you can see the charred remains of a campfire in a fire pit at center of a wide swath of beaten down dirt and grass.

Sorry, I should have been more clear. By 'not far', I mean 'within easy walking distance'. It should be no problem for you to either walk or ride to and from the bridge within a few rounds.

 

[Pbartender]

Katherine - Search: 14 +7 = 21, Survival: 13 +5 = 18.
Eruin - Search: 10 +6 = 16.
Oirhandir - Geography: 12 +6 = 18.

The campsite seems to be situated in an ideal spot... A wide meadow provides enough space for several tents or wagons around a large fire pit. The meadow is adequately sheltered from the wind and prying eyes by a copse of trees. It set back from the road and river, yet it still stays within a short walk of both.

At the entrance to the campsite from the road is a narrow knee-high stone pillar. It worn and covered in moss. It may have had writing on it in the past, but is now entirely illegible. On the side of the campsite opposite the road and the stone, Katherine and Eriun find what would at first appear to be a game path, except for some small remnants of gravel and an ancient cobblestone.

At Katherine's best estimate, the campsite hasn't been used for a week. The freshest tracks she can find are those of several large wagons and draft horses. Aside from small wildlife and an occasional deer track, the are no other signs of life in the area.

Oirhandir finds the river flowing though a shallow valley. In the immediate stretch of river he can see, the river is relatively narrow and flowing with a swift current. It is undoubtedly quite deep here, and would be a difficult swim should anyone fall in. Trees and bends in the river obscure anything further afield.

 

[El Jefe]

In the immediate stretch of river he can see, the river is relatively narrow and flowing with a swift current. It is undoubtedly quite deep here, and would be a difficult swim should anyone fall in.

Oirhandir returns from the bridge, thinking that the question has been resolved. "I think the south bank is best", he observes. "Unless there's a good ford upstream, there's no doubt that we'd lose some of the animals trying to swim that."

At the entrance to the campsite from the road is a narrow knee-high stone pillar. It worn and covered in moss. It may have had writing on it in the past, but is now entirely illegible.

The elf starts to help Rogier tend the animals, when he notices the ancient plinth. His brows furrow as he ponders the marker. Now why would someone have placed that there?

OoC -- Bardic knowledge check on the pillar by the bridge.

On the side of the campsite opposite the road and the stone, Katherine and Eriun find what would at first appear to be a game path, except for some small remnants of gravel and an ancient cobblestone.

OoC -- Please let me know if and when Oirhandir notices this.

 

[Gurdjieff]

Seeing that the campingspot has been chosen, Rogier starts to set up camp. Assuming that the others will do okay checking out the surroundings, Rogier tries to get to know their little helper, Rupert's nephew, a bit better.

"So Norman, you care to exchange history while setting up camp here? It's a boring job, so some talking might make it more fun. You start, if you like."

[OoC: Just got home from a party this weekend, kinda tired, but back.]

 

[Pbartender]

The elf starts to help Rogier tend the animals, when he notices the ancient plinth. His brows furrow as he ponders the marker. Now why would someone have placed that there?

OoC -- Bardic knowledge check on the pillar by the bridge.

Bardic Knowledge: 13 +3 = 16.

It is not uncommon for stone markers such as this one to be used as milestones or sign posts.

 

[Pbartender]

"So Norman, you care to exchange history while setting up camp here? It's a boring job, so some talking might make it more fun. You start, if you like."

"Look Mister," Norman huffs, "I don't really want to be here, and probably don't really want me here, but Uncle Rupert told my mom that tromping around in a swamp filled with mud and bugs and snakes with a bunch of complete strangers would build character, and she thought it'd keep me out of trouble for a couple of days, so why don't you just get back to your treasure hunting, and I'll get back to being miserable, so we can both do what we're good at, and get all of this over as soon as possible, okay?"