The Untamed Wilds: Caravan Campaign

[MacConnell]

OOC: Note** I was being way too zealous concerning accuracy of nomenclature with herbs and metaphysical properties of stones. I decided there was no need to be so realistic with regard to gaming, so I simplified it. The data and effects have not changed. I only simplified naming, mostly with plants.

Direct Link to Herbalist:
Herbalist / Alchemist Shop

 

[Tellerian Hawke]

Sannit nods. "If they are expecting the others to return, then they might have lookouts posted outside. We should be as cautious as we can."

Merin says, "We should approach with caution, and try to see if we can spy on them for a time. I think finding out more about them and their habits might prove extremely useful. And perhaps, such surveillance will give us a clue as to the source of their odd behavior."

Tor nods in agreement. "So let's get going, and stay low, and quiet. We should also walk slowly, and use our detection abilities as often as possible. Is there any way that we could use WAY to soften our footfalls?" His question is rhetorical, directed at the whole group.

 

[MacConnell]

Working on a Plan

Bolo says, "We should sneak closer and use way to determine how many are in the cave and their state of mind. If they are animalistic like the last group, then our decision is easy."

Sannit nods. "If they are expecting the others to return, then they might have lookouts posted outside. We should be as cautious as we can."

Turtle can feel the tension mounting in the group again. He had no idea being a human was such an interesting life.

Merin says, "We should approach with caution, and try to see if we can spy on them for a time. I think finding out more about them and their habits might prove extremely useful. And perhaps, such surveillance will give us a clue as to the source of their odd behavior."

Tor nods in agreement. "So let's get going, and stay low, and quiet. We should also walk slowly, and use our detection abilities as often as possible. Is there any way that we could use WAY to soften our footfalls?"

GM: It is possible to manifest will to move more quietly but the added benefit will only last a few seconds for Tor and a few minutes for Merin and Sheldon, not long enough to be of practical use yet. The constant use the Collegiate and Aberrative skills is already figured into an attempt to be quiet, as follows: [sblock=Stealth]Core + Motility + Confluence + Knowledge + Will + Collegiate + Commercial + Aberrative + Obscurative Sheldon: 73 Tor: 62 Merin: 70 Indigo: 69 Sannit: 66 Bolo: 66 Turtle: 41[/sblock]

OOC: Sheldon and Indigo listen to the conversation, before Sheldon adds That crag looks to be about another hour distant. If we continue to manipulate way too often, we will be excessively fatigued when we reach it. It looks like if we circle farther to the south as we approach the higher elevation there should give us a vantage point from which to make our observations before we close in to detect how many there are. I also think we should leave the pack animals here with Aust and Revan so the rest of us can travel unencumbered.

 

[Tellerian Hawke]

"It looks like if we circle farther to the south as we approach the higher elevation there should give us a vantage point from which to make our observations before we close in to detect how many there are."

Merin and Tor both nod. Merin says, "Agreed, let's get going."

 

[MacConnell]

Moving to the Observation Point

OOC: The foremost Seekers move to the vantage point at the South flank. No people were encountered or heard during the movement. The scrub covered rocky outcropping gives a good vantage point to observe the comings and goings of the cave-like natural opening of the adjacent crag while also providing suitable cover.

GM: The vantage point is still too far to detect other people. After about an hour, a man and a woman, identical in appearance to the previous group, walk from the opening and throw some things into the brush. Apparently something slung into the man, for he flinches back for a second then shoves the woman. The woman hits the man. The two fight viciously, bare-handed, until blood is drawn, then they turn and walk back into the cave as if nothing had happened.

Sheldon whispers to the others,

These people are deranged. They are like a blight on society.

GM: It is mid afternoon. There are 4 to 5 hours of daylight remaining. What do you wish to do?

 

[Tellerian Hawke]

Merin adds: "So they are violent with one another, but only to the point of drawing blood. I guess they see the value in not destroying themselves. However, you are correct, such behavior is entirely uncivilized. It's as if they have no concept of the sacredness of the individual. Very strange. I wonder if they think that their violent ways make them stronger, or keep them 'prepared' for the attack of their enemies? Hmmm... I'd still like to watch further and learn more. Sheldon, how close do you think we can get before it becomes dangerous?"

 

[MacConnell]

Merin adds: "So they are violent with one another, but only to the point of drawing blood. I guess they see the value in not destroying themselves. However, you are correct, such behavior is entirely uncivilized. It's as if they have no concept of the sacredness of the individual. Very strange. I wonder if they think that their violent ways make them stronger, or keep them 'prepared' for the attack of their enemies? Hmmm... I'd still like to watch further and learn more. Sheldon, how close do you think we can get before it becomes dangerous?"

Sheldon runs his left hand through his hair, pulling it back from his face.

These people seem oblivious to anything except what is right in front of their face. I think we could sneak right up to the southern face, there, so that we could detect how many are in there.

Indigo nods.

Easy does it.

 

[Kwargrow]

Seeing what happened, Sannit says, "These are like the ones before so they shouldn't be hard to flush out of the cave. If we set up an ambush, the fight should go in our favor again."

Bolo attempts to detect how many are in the cave, unless it is still too far.

Turtle sees the small altercation between the headhunters and stamps his feet, ready to go at them.

 

[MacConnell]

Closing in.

Seeing what happened, Sannit says, "These are like the ones before so they shouldn't be hard to flush out of the cave. If we set up an ambush, the fight should go in our favor again."

OOC: Trailing around slowly and quietly the entire party makes it to within a few steps of the mouth, noting that this is not a cave but a natural fissure where softer material has eroded away from wind and water leaving the harder rock behind. There is a vertical vent very near to where everyone is hidden. It allows light to pass and could be used as a spy hole from either direction, but nothing larger than a rabbit would fit through it. Light can be seen in the mouth indicating that the top is, at least, partially open. Grunting and various noises can be heard from within, but nothing indicating speech.

[sblock=Detect People]Range = Cohesion + Will
Effectiveness = Essence + Mind + Cohesion + Knowledge + Will + Collegiate + Aberrative + Academic
10, 55: Sheldon
07, 38: Tor
08, 47: Merin
08, 49: Indigo
08, 44: Sannit
09, 49: Bolo[/sblock]

GM: 11 people total are detected. 10 are grouped together near the front, and 1 is separated at the back. The 10 in front are moving about constantly and freely. The 1 in the back does not move about.

Sheldon whispers

Okay? How do you want to play this ambush? If we are going to throw bait again, Indigo and I will do it since neither of us shoot bows.

 

[Tellerian Hawke]

Merin and Tor are in favor of that plan. Merin says, "Tor and I will both be on bows this time, my paralyzation didn't prove that effective on the last try, their primal minds must be somewhat resistant. But it's really hard to resist an arrow to the gut, especially when the archer attacks from cover, and by surprise."