TUW: The Outpost

MacConnell · Jul 7, 2021

Kwargrow said:
... Taylar... search...

Waynan said:
... Raven Elk. "... help..?"

Adisakti cleans his weapons and sheaths them. He pats his torso and looks around in amazement that he is not injured. Seeing that Taylar is scouring the area, he will begin dragging the carcasses toward the river in order to better clean them.

Taylar: 40(prospecting) + 25(analysis) + 72(d100) = 137

Taylar finds definitive evidence that the wolverines must have crossed the river to come to the bait. Quite a distance for an animal to swim but it corresponds with the prevailing wind direction. Additionally, near the water's edge, a milky colored rock about the size of his fist catches the attention of Taylar.

Taylar: 57(butcher) + 25(clarity) + 72(d100) = 154 - 80(difficulty) = 74
Raven Elk: 43 + 40 + 50 = 133 - 80 = 53
Adisakti: 37 + 42 + 61 = 140 - 80 = 60

As it so happens, Taylar proves more skillful in butchering the animals than either of the other two. He does the cutting while the other two assist in holding and turning. The two skins produce enough leather for 112% of coverage. With the addition of the peccary hides, tunics can be made for three of the six girls. It stands to reason that the Rheini will likely have acquired an equal amount of skin, providing enough to outfit all of the girls.

Taylar: 40(alchemy) + 25(analysis) + 72(d100) = 137
Raven Elk: 42 + 30 + 50 = 122
Adisakti: 34 + 30 + 61 = 125

Though many animals have parts that seem to compel a person to collect them. Nothing from these two wolverines gives any such impression.

Returning to Refuge, once all formalities are said and done, Vittero tells his friends that he thinks he may have a location of another initiation site for the Daughters of Dawn. The initiations sites are where the young girls are taken after they have been stolen from their families to be "conditioned" before they are sent to an actual training site.

East of West Cove, there is a road that leads to an active quarry and beyond that another Markidian village on the western edge of large marsh. Along the northern edge of the marsh there is supposed to be a small rocky rise with an old stone structure built upon it. The information is not 100% but it is enough that it seems actionable.

Vittero makes a dour expression. "If these, quote, conditioning sites can be eliminated, it should put a good hit on this abominable practice and maybe force some action to allow us to better identify our actual enemy behind all of this."

Taylar: full wellness
Bracers: 16
Spaulders: 18 - 2 - 1 = 15
Tunic: 57 - 2 - 6 - 2 - 6 - 6 = 35
Raven Elk: full wellness
Buckler: 19
tunic: 57 - 4 - 6 - 1 = 46
Adisakti: full wellness
Bracers: 19 - 2 = 17

OOC:

Current Inventory:
harnin short swords: 14 (In Refuge)
bronze colored Dancer's Spike
harnin Longsword
Coins:
marks: 85

Animal Parts:
Feline Leg Bone: 1. ??

Minerals:

Slate: 62: {Thump x2}
Flint: 4 {Heat x2}
Coal: 1: {Heat x3}
Bloodstone: 2: {Confluence +1}
Sunstone: 8: {Persona +1, Muddle x2}
Heartstone: 5: {Confluence +1}
Lodestone: 1 {shock x2}

Ores:

Zinc Ingots: 1: {Health +1, Mend x2}
Tin Ingot: 1: {Persona +1, Muddle x2}
Lead Ingot: 10: {- Body x2}
Iron Ingot: 1 {Confluence +1, Mend x2}
Calcium Ingot: 1: {Cohesion +1, Restore x2}

Plants:

Lighter Pine: 7 measures {heat x2}
Mend Leaves: 3 measure {+ Body x2}
Muddle Leaves: 2 measure {- Mind x2}

Unknown Items:

Angry Spirit Dust: ??

.

Acolyte Avery's Ledger (In Refuge)
DoD Training Ledger (In Refuge)

OOC:

Bonus awarded for task completion. Each character receives 7 DP. State any nominal actions with regard to down time or travel. Provide a random roll.

Kwargrow · Jul 8, 2021

On the way back to Refuge, Taylar asks Adisakti, "You declared before that these cannot be normal wolverines. What did you mean by that?"
Back at Refuge, Taylar says to Vittero, "How did you come by this new information? Since we have taken two of these trainers from the enemy, we might consider that they would set a trap for us. We will investigate this new site, but be wary."

51

MacConnell · Jul 13, 2021

Kwargrow said:
... Taylar asks Adisakti...

... Taylar says to Vittero...

Adisakti answers. "It was a supposition, but those wolverines seemed much too sentient for mere animals. It may seem weird but, to me, they did not smell right. It's like they put a metallic taste in my mouth."

GM:

Later, the Outliers would learn that the Rheini people have a legend about such creatures. More myth and story than reality as no one has ever seen one, but they call them, Ravishers, semi-sentient wolverines that prefer to kill people more than animals.

Vittero answers, "I have been working with the unit of Daughters of Dawn that we first allowed to survive our encounter with them. They check in with me regularly. I have gone very slow in trying to re-educate them, but it is possible that someone could still be working with them on the other end. You are right to be cautious."

Taylar: 41(perception) + 26(analysis) + 51(d100) = 118
Adisakti: 42 + 30 + 50 = 122
Raven Elk: 31 + 30 + 50 = 111

Realizing that it would be less than wise to take the road all the way into West Cove, even more so than openly traveling the road such a distance from Refuge, the Outliers use their simple map to plan. After a full day of travel, by mid-morning of the next day, the party could cross through the forest, due East, to meet back with the roadway closer to the quarry.

It is not that the Outliers are specifically known as criminal or even being directly sought, but open travel along the road for anyone can lead to questions from any soldiers on patrol, most likely escalating to violence when the traveling party is not of the Markidian tribe.

At about midday of the first day of travel, while the party has stopped for a quiet lunch, the sound of others coming from the south, the direction of West Cove, is noted. Taking some reconnaissance, it looks to be a unit of Cathedral Footmen marching north. The Outliers figure that they could remain hidden and let the soldiers pass or could make direct confrontation, whichever they see fit to do.

OOC:

The "Pelimonra Village" is now Refuge.

Taylar: full wellness
Bracers: 16
Spaulders: 18 - 2 - 1 = 15
Tunic: 57 - 2 - 6 - 2 - 6 - 6 = 35
Raven Elk: full wellness
Buckler: 19
tunic: 57 - 4 - 6 - 1 = 46
Adisakti: full wellness
Bracers: 19 - 2 = 17

OOC:

Current Inventory:
harnin short swords: 14 (In Refuge)
bronze colored Dancer's Spike
harnin Longsword
Coins:
marks: 85

Animal Parts:
Feline Leg Bone: 1. ??

Minerals:

Slate: 62: {Thump x2}
Flint: 4 {Heat x2}
Coal: 1: {Heat x3}
Bloodstone: 2: {Confluence +1}
Sunstone: 8: {Persona +1, Muddle x2}
Heartstone: 5: {Confluence +1}
Lodestone: 1 {shock x2}

Ores:

Zinc Ingots: 1: {Health +1, Mend x2}
Tin Ingot: 1: {Persona +1, Muddle x2}
Lead Ingot: 10: {- Body x2}
Iron Ingot: 1 {Confluence +1, Mend x2}
Calcium Ingot: 1: {Cohesion +1, Restore x2}

Plants:

Lighter Pine: 7 measures {heat x2}
Mend Leaves: 3 measure {+ Body x2}
Muddle Leaves: 2 measure {- Mind x2}

Unknown Items:

Angry Spirit Dust: ??

.

Acolyte Avery's Ledger (In Refuge)
DoD Training Ledger (In Refuge)

OOC:

Each character receives 5 DP. State any nominal actions with regard to travel. Provide a random roll.

Kwargrow · Jul 14, 2021

Taylar ponders for a moment and decides, "Let us remain hidden and continue on our mission. We have no way of knowing that these soldiers are up to wrong doing."

67

MacConnell · Jul 21, 2021

Kwargrow said:
Taylar ponders...

Taylar: 41(perception) + 26(analysis) + 67(d100) = 134
Adisakti: 42 + 30 + 50 = 122
Raven Elk: 31 + 30 + 59 = 120

The squad of Cathedral soldiers marches passed, none the wiser that they are being observed. Waiting a sufficient amount of time for them to be a safe distance away, the Outliers return to the road to complete the day's travel.

Camp is made in the forest, away from the road, and the night is uneventful. The next day, the men count their steps in order to estimate the place necessary to depart the road and travel East. The forest is not so dense here upon the rocky point of land and there is less undergrowth, but the trees are smaller, allowing for enough of them so grow to reduce the line of sight.

Within a few hours, a suspected clearing to the south proves to be the road and the party knows they should be nearing the Quarry. Skirting north of the site, Cathedral soldiers are observed overseeing the labor, much of which is being conducted by individuals who are not of the Markidian tribe.

Farther to the East, the land drops significantly with steep falls that have to be negotiated carefully. This slows travel. With the drops in elevation, it makes sense that the party should be headed toward a marshy area. Everyone is quite surprised when late afternoon reveals an unknown path running roughly north and south. It is deduced that this is used to skirt the marsh from the Markidian Village to the south, but where it leads is completely unknown.

Also unexpectedly, another band of Cathedral soldiers, not Kingdom soldiers, is walking this path from the North, heading South. They are talking and not particularly being wary, but it is still less likely that the three men could remain hidden at this location, though it may be possible.

Taylar: full wellness
Bracers: 16
Spaulders: 18 - 2 - 1 = 15
Tunic: 57 - 2 - 6 - 2 - 6 - 6 = 35
Raven Elk: full wellness
Buckler: 19
tunic: 57 - 4 - 6 - 1 = 46
Adisakti: full wellness
Bracers: 19 - 2 = 17

OOC:

Current Inventory:
harnin short swords: 14 (In Refuge)
bronze colored Dancer's Spike
harnin Longsword
Coins:
marks: 85

Animal Parts:
Feline Leg Bone: 1. ??

Minerals:

Slate: 62: {Thump x2}
Flint: 4 {Heat x2}
Coal: 1: {Heat x3}
Bloodstone: 2: {Confluence +1}
Sunstone: 8: {Persona +1, Muddle x2}
Heartstone: 5: {Confluence +1}
Lodestone: 1 {shock x2}

Ores:

Zinc Ingots: 1: {Health +1, Mend x2}
Tin Ingot: 1: {Persona +1, Muddle x2}
Lead Ingot: 10: {- Body x2}
Iron Ingot: 1 {Confluence +1, Mend x2}
Calcium Ingot: 1: {Cohesion +1, Restore x2}

Plants:

Lighter Pine: 7 measures {heat x2}
Mend Leaves: 3 measure {+ Body x2}
Muddle Leaves: 2 measure {- Mind x2}

Unknown Items:

Angry Spirit Dust: ??

.

Acolyte Avery's Ledger (In Refuge)
DoD Training Ledger (In Refuge)

OOC:

Each character receives 5 DP. State any nominal actions to occur during travel and intentions. Provide a random roll.

Kwargrow · Jul 28, 2021

Taylar consults his companions. "Should we allow them to see us and maybe talk for a while? If they become hostile we can do away with them."

58

Waynan · Jul 28, 2021

Raven Elk replies:
"Unfortunately, if we retreat now, we will fall under immediate suspicion. So, I must agree with Taylar about letting them see us; but, we should stride forth as merry travelers --- boon companions, regaling each other with feats in sports and adventures...and of wooing winsome girls. It could, I hope, ease any suspicions. "

MacConnell · Aug 3, 2021

Kwargrow said:
Taylar consults...

Waynan said:
Raven Elk replies...

Adisakti nods his affirmation.

The party steps onto the little used path, several strides ahead and in plain view of the soldiers. The soldiers, having been a bit careless, initially startle and reach to draw the short swords sheathed at their hips. Realizing that the three unknown men have taken no threatening action, most of the soldiers forgo drawing their weapon. They begin talking quickly among themselves, indecisively. Most is indistinguishable and incomplete thoughts, but one question is clear enough for all three men to hear.

"How do know they can even understand us?"

Taylar: full wellness
Bracers: 16
Spaulders: 18 - 2 - 1 = 15
Tunic: 57 - 2 - 6 - 2 - 6 - 6 = 35
Raven Elk: full wellness
Buckler: 19
tunic: 57 - 4 - 6 - 1 = 46
Adisakti: full wellness
Bracers: 19 - 2 = 17

OOC:

Current Inventory:
harnin short swords: 14 (In Refuge)
bronze colored Dancer's Spike
harnin Longsword
Coins:
marks: 85

Animal Parts:
Feline Leg Bone: 1. ??

Minerals:

Slate: 62: {Thump x2}
Flint: 4 {Heat x2}
Coal: 1: {Heat x3}
Bloodstone: 2: {Confluence +1}
Sunstone: 8: {Persona +1, Muddle x2}
Heartstone: 5: {Confluence +1}
Lodestone: 1 {shock x2}

Ores:

Zinc Ingots: 1: {Health +1, Mend x2}
Tin Ingot: 1: {Persona +1, Muddle x2}
Lead Ingot: 10: {- Body x2}
Iron Ingot: 1 {Confluence +1, Mend x2}
Calcium Ingot: 1: {Cohesion +1, Restore x2}

Plants:

Lighter Pine: 7 measures {heat x2}
Mend Leaves: 3 measure {+ Body x2}
Muddle Leaves: 2 measure {- Mind x2}

Unknown Items:

Angry Spirit Dust: ??

.

Acolyte Avery's Ledger (In Refuge)
DoD Training Ledger (In Refuge)

OOC:

Each character receives 5 DP. State any nominal actions and intentions. Provide a random roll.

Kwargrow · Aug 3, 2021

Taylar intends to say in Markidian, "We are travelers and have learned many languages, including Markidian. What is there of interest in this area?"

56

MacConnell · Aug 10, 2021

Kwargrow said:
Taylar intends...

Adisakti laughs lightly and adds, "We can understand you just fine."

The intra-discussion among the soldiers ceases. One, who must be in charge of them, holds up a hand, which immediately causes the others to silence. The three who had completely drawn their swords return them to their scabbards. The man speaks with an air of condescension. "It is good that you can understand. There is nothing of interest for you so far out here. You should come with us. We are returning to our glorious Cathedral of the Sun, which in is West Cove, the kingdom seat. In addition to our magnificent temple and finely constructed castle, there is work to be found upon the fishing vessels."

"You must have taken quite a circuitous route through the forest from the north to come upon this path without having passed the Quarry or the city. We were first taught that only the Markidian people could find favor with the Lord of the Day, but his teachings have been clarified so that all tribes may find the true path of Light. We welcome you; but as a precautionary matter, you must relinquish your weapons."

Taylar: full wellness
Bracers: 16
Spaulders: 18 - 2 - 1 = 15
Tunic: 57 - 2 - 6 - 2 - 6 - 6 = 35
Raven Elk: full wellness
Buckler: 19
tunic: 57 - 4 - 6 - 1 = 46
Adisakti: full wellness
Bracers: 19 - 2 = 17

OOC:

Current Inventory:
harnin short swords: 14 (In Refuge)
bronze colored Dancer's Spike
harnin Longsword
Coins:
marks: 85

Animal Parts:
Feline Leg Bone: 1. ??

Minerals:

Slate: 62: {Thump x2}
Flint: 4 {Heat x2}
Coal: 1: {Heat x3}
Bloodstone: 2: {Confluence +1}
Sunstone: 8: {Persona +1, Muddle x2}
Heartstone: 5: {Confluence +1}
Lodestone: 1 {shock x2}

Ores: