Do we need a roll-call for who is still in?  

I guess going back to town was a bad idea.  

I'm willing to run just about anything.  If others have desires I can fill in.  I'm not sure how you would handle spells in free-form.  I know the rules in D&D but not here so I'm not sure I would choose that just because I wouldn't know what to they could do.  But I'm willing to try if that is the need also.  So, uhm, warrior?

I just got back form seeing the new D&D movie.  While I don't anticipate a bunch of Oscars for it I thought it was a lot of fun.  There were a lot of great details for a D&D player to recognize.  I enjoyed it and want to see it again to catch more of those little nuggeets.

Need some posts!

I'm always willing to be involved in something around here.

After extensive discussions about options and plans the group made final preparations before they left.  For a few silver spent at second-hand shops you were able to procure a reasonable ensemble of various garb.  You could likely look like peasants – or a slightly lower class of merchant if you desired.  Would it hide armor well?   Likely not.  But someone not armored or only in light armor should be well concealed.  But a goliath would be hard to hide.  And a dwarf was likely to look like a dwarf.  Their wealth and weapons might be concealed but not their race. 

               The group was also loaned a small cart and pony by Captain Rambolt who seemed eager to have someone finish off the bandits.  He took 15 gp from the party as a retainer – you would get it back when the cart and pony were safely returned.  He even tossed an empty chest into the back of the cart for you to make it look like you had something with you.  It wasn’t much, but it was there.

**The above was added based on discussion to give you options.  If you don’t want it – say so.  If you want to bring something else not normally on your character sheet say so – before my next post.**

               The party left town by the Field Gate along Field Lane early on a sunny day.  The road quickly turned to the Northwest and followed along the river.  For the first few miles there were open fields and pastures where the locals had cleared the Barren Woods and made room for agriculture.  But after a couple of miles the woods started encroaching on the road again.  Soon the settlements became sparse (and then non-existent) and the geography simple – to the left was the Barren Woods and to the right was the river.  It usually was about 15-50’ from the road to the woods but sometimes the road seemed to pass through it and there would be trees on the riverside of the road as well.  The Hreusen River was a large and relatively slow-moving river that flowed southward. (In the opposite direction the party was travelling.)  The road was generally about 50’ or so from the river but you could find spots that were a few hundred feet if you wanted them.  Between the road and the river was usually just light growth – bushes and such but sometimes there were small trees.  Essentially – the roads passed between the woods and the river.  While there was generally some distance between the two, within the space of a few miles you could probably find any distance and setup of woods and river you wanted.

               Before leaving town Captain Rambolt had given you a little information on the road.  There were several locations of interest worth commenting on. 

1. About 15 miles from town there was an area where the woods went all the way down to the river and the road passed through dense woods for about ¼ mile. A couple of reported attacks had happened here. 


2. About 22 miles from Ludensheim there was a small hill, really several small hills, just a short distance to the woodward side of the road. They were mostly in the woods but the road curved around the base of the mounds.  They were less than 40 feet high at most – not really hills but notable only since this side of the river was fairly flat.  (Compared to the Blacktooth Ridge opposite.)  At least one bandit attack was know to have happened here.


3. In the 30-40 mile range several attacks had happened. There didn’t seem to be any specific location although the bandits seemed to like locations where the woods came close to the road. 


4. About 45 miles down the road is the RiverRush House – an inn for travelers that had a wooden wall around its yard and which employed several guards. Its owner was Sven Folkenberg who captain Rambolt indicated was a “good man” who guarded his possessions well. 


5. A few attacks also occurred Northwest of the RiverRush House but Captain Rambolt know no details about those attacks.

**If you want to ask Captain Rambolt any further questions you are welcome to do so.  If you have questions about anything along the road, let me know. 

Ok, off we go - working on the post now.  Will make a few assumptions and try to give the lay of the land a bit.  

I did update the character list.

I really need something actionable.  I will post later about the availability of disguises and a cart, I suppose.  But you can assume such thing are available.  I guess I can throw you out onto the road if need be.  But I'm not sure that the group has stated any real plan yet.  

Hmm . . . maybe I'll have one of you charged with pickpocketing (falsely, of course!) and you have to flee to escape "justice."  Or maybe . . . things can happen in towns.  Things could get interesting . . . 

You don't need to try and get everything in the first time.  Just make the campaign be what the campaign needs to be.  Even if it is orcs all the way down, no biggie.  We are goinginto an orc stronghold, after all.  Whatever.  I'll be happy whatever we do.  

Introductions have gotten further along.  And we are closer to a plan . . . 

(Legion - my response is based on the idea that our previous discussions implied that we would help the dragon rider - if for some reason you disagree, speak up.)

Azax watched carefully as the strange figure emerged from the woods.  That he had already suspected the truth didn't really dull his astonishment at the reality of a dragon rider being alive (if barely) in front of him.  He spoke quickly to the others.  "Legion, several orcs ecaped the beast, we need to be careful that they do not circle back looking for their cargo.  But if they do, we might still have a guide to the keep.  Although a prisoner this time."  Looking back to the newcomer he continued, "Well met Alyrea Thalrul.  I am Azax of Clan Strix.  These are my companions, Legion the warforged and Erundak.  I am hopeful that Erundak will be willing to offer you some healing.  We have a quest of our own that is imperative, but if we can simultaneously aid you in yours we would do so.  We did see the orc caravan in possession of what we believe to be your sword.  Once you are healed we can go and retrieve it."

(Assuming she is healed and they move forward to search the wreckage of the orc caravan.)

"Be careful - remember, three of the orcs escaped."  He also continued his discussion with the dragon-rider.  "I am curious what brings one such as yourself searching into this region?  I had believed your kind lost to the world many years ago."  (Correct?)  "We seek the keep of the orcs in the mountains in front of us.  They hold a medicine the king's daughter needs.  But the orcs seems strangely active and aggressive.  And they speak of a "HIM" as if a great dark were coming.  Do you know of this - is your quest related to it?"  

By caravan I assume you mean some form of wagon or cart.  It might be hard to find a citizen that would.  Perhaps if you could locate a merchants guild.  But the guard might.  Although they might want some kind of collateral to be sure you will return it.  It wouldnt have to be worth a ton.

That's better!

We have some welcoming posts.  Keep it up.  

We also need to move on with the plan.  Thaoran has posted some ideas about an ambush.  Raggy clothes and a couple of chests are easy to acquire, although I'm not sure how many people walk down a road lugging a chest. It is a town so supplies are avaliable. It isn't easy, even if empty.  Would you be staging this ambush somewhere?  Or just trying to have some of you follow in the woods off to the side of the road as the others walk along?  Or find a good place and set up camp in some way?  

Or is there some other plan?

Thaoran - That is exactly the sort of thing I need posted.  You have a map of the city if you want to go anywhere within it.  Or, if you are leaving - are you heading out on the road.  You said be easy marks - you probably don't look like that as is.  What do you want to do about that?  Buy disguises?  Do you want horses or are you walking?  A cart or just a few people walking along?  As you go along the road is there anything in particular you want to do to look like easy marks?  You don't know where they attack exactly - so how do you want to handle hiding in the trees?  There are many options for how to do this but if it is left up to me you would just walk out as is because nothing else was said.  Heck, you could pretend to be a circus for all I care.  But I need something.

Also, just becaue you won't be the first to jump up and welcome someone doesn't mean you can't write up youyr internal thoughts.  And you probably do need to introduce yourself.  Would you be rude?  Or at least polite?  If Uthal is asking her to join you do need to voice an opinion as a memeber of a party, even if it is just a nod of the head.  

Azax looked at his companions and quickly made up his mind.  He chose his tone carefully - loud enough to be overheard by their secret follower but hopefully not loud enough to be heard by the feasting wyverling or terrified orcs.  "Let the beast have the orcs.  They won't lead us to their fortres if they know we are here.  The only way they help us if they are unaware of us.  And if they die - they have the sword.  That isn't our goal but having it in orc hands can't be a good thing.  And if it is a dragon-riders sword, well, where is the rider?  These are dark days.  A return of the dragon riders would be most welcome.  Perhaps one needs its sword returned to it?"  Here he paused and glanced back at the battle in front of them.  "Lets duck down and hide and see how things play out."  He looked at Legion.  "we'll keep that armor hidden for now, yes?  We can clean things up afterwards."

If the others agree with his decision Azax will slink back a little further into the woods - hiding as well as he can while retaining a view of the overall fight.  He also keeps his ears pealed for any sign of movement behind them from their shadow.  

FYI - Tom is around but is having trouble posting.  Most of the time when he tries he is getting an error message.  I am having him send his post to me and I will post for now.  Is anyone else having a problem? 

As for the game - I have no idea what to post.  You are sitting in a tavern and meeting the new monk.  That is good, but what do you want to do next?  Head out after the bandits?  Ok, but nobody has actually posted anything about that in the game thread.  I don't really want to post you heading out of town when nobody has actually said that.  I need you to either ask questions so I can give more information or post some form of actual action.  

Sorry for the delay - this will get up today or tomorrow.  (2/27)

Ok, we have a fw more posts - I will be posting an update on Monday. (2/27.)  

I need to read more thoroughly but it seems like a lot of conversation amongst the group.  That is great, and perfectly fine, but I also need some sort of actionable movement.  Once the shopping is done are you leaving town?  Headed where?  Looking for what?  I can't take you out of town and off on another adventure until someone says you are doing so.  (If you already have and I have missed it because I haven't read all the posts thoroughly yet, the point remains as a general concept.)  

One issue with a post game like this is often nobody wants to take the initative.  Perhaps the party should appint one character as the leader - this doesn't mean they get to give orders, just that they would be the one who gets the task of saying "the party goes here" in order to keep things on track and moving.  Everyone else still needs to post those things more specific to their character.  This is not a requirement, just a suggestion as when we aren't in the middle of combat things tend to sputter.  

I agree with the monk  . . . but in general we need game posts to make sure things are happening.  Otherwise I will move things along.  But actionable posts help a lot!

Tann -

Technically you are broke.  You got your gear back but any money you had would have been taken by the goblins.  As a rescue the rest of the party will have to decide if you get any money.  I'm assuming they will at least cover your meals at the inn . . . 

The group pent some time in Ludensheim – shopping, rumor gathering and resting.  The rumor, and more particularly the cash reward, that seemed most appealing seemed to be the bandits using the Barren Woods as a hideout.  They had heard that the guards were offering 100gp for proof that the threat had been dealt with.  In search of more details they went to the town guard and enquired about the offer. 

               Captain Rambolt was a typical looking guard officer – older and a bit thicker than those who served under him.  He seemed more experienced than the other guards and you didn’t need the uniform to know that he was in charge.  When asked about the bandits his response was simple and direct.  “Yup, been a problem along the Posit road.  Every now and then bandits like to use the woods as a hideout, but the woods themselves usually takes care of it.  Something in there gets a snack and the problem sort of solves itself, see?  But this group has held out for longer than most.  Normally I don’t care about the road that far out of town, not my jurisdiction, see?  But a couple of months of raided caravans and the Duke starts getting annoyed.  So now I gotta put 100 gold on the market to deal with an issue that shouldn’t be my issue.  But there it is and what are you gonna do about it?  Pay up to somebody willing to do the work.”  At this point he paused to tell a couple of new recruits about a few things wrong with their uniforms.  When he was done, he turned back to the group.  “I reckon that where you come in.  Heroes to be, that is just what I need.”

               Captain Rambolt provided a bit more detail on the latest attacks.  There didn’t seem to be a single preferred ambush point – it seemed they liked to make use off various locations.  Most of the time everything is taken – people, carts, animals – everything.  Sometimes some of them get away.  The bandits don’t seem overly worried about it.  He can’t really say where you should start the hunt as no one spot seems to be particularly likely.  “You could just start a general search of the woods if you wanted, but they go on for miles and miles.  Heading out on the road you could make yourselves a target, but if you look like a group of thugs I doubt they’d want to take that on.  What bandits want a fair fight?  Several nights ago we had a couple of survivors come in and they couldn’t say much about the attack, but they did seem convinced that the bandits had a mage of some sort with them.   They have taken a fair amount of loot, we wouldn’t mind getting that either.”

General Comments

This is to get you started.  You now need a plan.  Are you just heading out walking on the road out of town.  Do you have any other plans?  Do you want to buy anything other than Thaoran’s desires.  You are also welcome to ask Captain Rambolt or anyone else you can think of whatever you want.  Otherwise my next post will be on the way out of town.  And, of course, feel free to finish whatever greetings and such are needed with the new monk.

Cash:  When looking at the money situation there wasn’t much found prior to the battle when the goblins fled the caves.  There you found a chest with some cash.  You also go the reward.  The result is all of the older characters (Regardless of how long you were with the party since everyone was there for the critical cash find.)  have around 200gp. 

Thaoran – note the prices on the earlier post.  Your wish list came to 375 gp.  Thus, unless the others wish to loan you some cash you will need to narrow your choices. 

I will post sometime later this weekend.  At the moment it looks like that would be Thaoran shopping and the group headed towards the woods.  Is there anything else you want to do?  I really don't even have a post saying "We are now going to the woods."

At the moment in the tavern.

Any standard items found in the players handbook are available in town - so javelins or handaxes and such are there.

If the woods it is - then post away.  Also, if anyone else wants to do any shopping speak up,  I'll get back to you on the arrows, Thaoran.

Welcome back to Altaira!

That is your potential healing solution.

I'll look into the money.