Evil Eye II - Island in the Stream

[Ikoma]

Adam comes to first. He blinks to clear his eyes from the bright sun shining down. Cheerful birds can be heard. A bright blue sky is overhead. Shaking his head, the memories of the battle come snapping back to his mind. Springing to his feet, he looks around.

The rest of the party lays sprawled on the ground. They are in various stages of recovering from their own sleeping. They lay right where they feel during the battle. Edgar lays at the rear of the bardo, holding Raul's violin. Raul lies, holding a gently sleeping Nikki.

But everything else, their surroundings, are completely different. Where Raul had before been camped in a clearing of mixed hard wood and conifers, you now lie sprinkled amidst a denser forest of broad leafed trees. The air is warmer. You are not where you used to be.

As the party comes to, they struggle to come to grips with what happened. And explore their surrounding.

((You each got a good night's sleep - recovering HPs & attributes as normal. Spell casters did not have a chance to pray/study and recover their spells - yet.))

[With your first post to this story thread, I need each player to include a complete status report on your PC. HPs, attribute score damage, current psychological state, etc.]

Ioan awakes with a mixed sense of dread and wonder. His last waking memory was of ripping a shade in half and ending its unlife with his bare hands... hands empowered ironically by the domains of Healing and Good.

STATUS:
HP: 31/31
DEX: 11/13
SPELLS: Workin' on that now.

"Well... we've had a busy night. And unless I miss my guess, the mists of this world have consumed us, and we're all homeless. I dunno what the day holds, but I find it runs better if I start it with prayer."

As Ioan steps away from the party, he acknowledges each of them with a nod and a smile. He has only known these people for a couple of days, and already he thinks they may be accepting him for who he is, rather than how he comes across.

And then as he kneels to pray his bowels fail him, and he rips a fart worthy of a 10th-level casting of "ghost sound." Ugh. Or maybe "cloudkill." Hopefully the rest of the group is upwind...

He prays for an endowment of spells for the day, and cautiously probes his tenuous "connection" with the Morninglord. Were last night's actions acceptable? What evil was dispelled, and where did it come from? So many questions...

SPELLS (assuming none o' you louts disturb me) will be PM'd to DM Van Helsing...

HP- 19/19
CHA- 15/16
Disposition- Remorseful

As his senses regroup, Egdar takes in the pastoral scene that surrounds him. His heart leaps for a moment as he dreams of his arrival in an idylic world where happiness abounds. Realization quickly sets in and he realizes that just as the mists and darkness have been burned away, so too has his connection to his beloved. His will to live ebbs and he ponders that no possible joy could exist in a world where tragedy reaches beyond the grave to torment the living.

Looking at the violin in his hands, he briefly considers smashing it to pieces as it is a symbol of such pain but cannot bring himself to destroy a fine instrument of the arts. He approaches Raul and proffers the violin to the Vistani smith...

"This is the anchor which binds your wife to you. While it exists, you will not be rid of her. That such a thing may create such beauty and such heartache is a bitterweet irony. It is not mine to destroy, but I strongly suggest that you purge yourself and your son of the torment that will inevitibly return if you do not do so. I have fulfilled my promise and the burden is now yours."

Then distancing himself to sit under a tree, Egdar wonders if we will ever be free of the loss and pain which he feels. Quoth the raven..."Nevermore"

As Edgar studies the violin, he discovers the secret. The instrument is strung with human hair... presumably Leyla's. Returning the violin to the smith, Raul only nods blankly at Edgar's summation. He holds Nikki in one arm and the instrument in the other hand.

"We burn it tonight. She will never come again."

But his voice contains no enthusiasm.

Meanwhile, Ioan prays and charges for another day.

Adam and Toschlager begin to explore the surroundings. It very quickly becomes clear that you are on a small island, in the middle of a wide river. All around you, forested hills painted spectacular in the bright yellow, red, and orange colors of autumn, stretch westward to meet a crisp blue sky and eastward to distant mountains. Wild birds fly overhead - small flocks of swallows and crows, mostly, interspersed with a few noisy bluejays.

It also quickly becomes clear you are not alone. Another individual is just waking up on the island as well.

Prayers completed, Ioan rejoins the party...

"I'm feeling a little clumsy after that swipe Leyla took at me. If any of you are havin' the same problem, I've been blessed with a couple of spells that might help."

(OOC -- Lesser Restoration will restore 1d4 of attribute damage to one attribute.)

Ioan notices the fella approaching...

"Hey, Edgy -- you're good at makin' friends. You wanna talk to yon stranger?"

HP: 31/31
Disposition: Confusion

Yemam wakes up to find himself surrounded by a very unfamilar landscape. Looking up he says, "I know, but honestly, who thought this would happen. Oh don't give me that, you didn't know."

Looking around he sees a group of unfamiliar faces. Checking to make sure everything is where it should be, he finally decides to go and see what the deal is. "Okay, now, but if they start the fight I'm blaming you."

Calmly walking over to one of the new faces, Yeman holds his hands up to show he means no harm. "Looks like we got dumped here together. Mi names Yeman Silverman. And who are all of you?"

"Hail fellow and well met!" With a large flourish and bow, Egdar looks curiously at the new arrival.

"It appears by your bemused physiognomy that you too have been conveyed whence you hail by the misty fugue?" he pauses briefly, "Our are you of the local environs and merely suffering the effects of a dementia?"

Diplomacy (1d20+16=31)

As Edgar and Ioan greet the stranger, Raul moves back to his bardo. It seems that while the wagon was transported with the group, the horse was not. Raul's smithy came with as well.

The baby Nikki is placed in his crib. The child still sleeps deeply. Without a word, the vistani begins to pack his tools back into the wagon.

[Feel free to post more than once a day if you are reacting to each other. You don't need to wait for me to jump in.]

Adam in the meadow -2 Dex -2 Con 23/23 |4, 0|

Adam approaches Ioan after investigating the island.

"My friend, I coud use some help. I'm afraid the shade hurt me badly. Can you implore your God to restore my abilities. I will attempt to return the favor in the future."

Adam waits for whatever healing Ioan can provide. He then seperates himself from the remainder of the party and prays to his deity giving thanks for the help render in the battle.

"Aye, the mists have taken me away from my home. I have to wonder why we have been grouped together by these mists. Are you all some sort of group?"

"Whoa, she took a piece outta you, she did. Hold still a sec... this won't hurt a bit..."

Ioan bows his head, brushes his left hand against the rising sun pendant of the Morninglord about his neck, and places the flat of his right hand on Adam's chest.
Lesser Restoration, Constitution =2

"I bet THAT feels better. Now let's try it again..."

The ritual is mostly the same as before, but this time Ioan's right hand forms a clenched fist, which he rests on Adam's left shoulder.

Lesser Restoration, Strength =4

"Good as new, I suspect."

"Not so much a group as a consortium. We met in Teufeldorf, a small village in Barovia. We were together when the Mists arrived. Unfortunately, I really have no inkling as to where we are now. Might you be able to shed some light on the subject?"

"I can offer no help as to what to do next I'm afraid. I too come from Barovia. The settlement of Zeidenberg."

"The last I remember I was helping this young woman who was robbed. I was on the chase of her robbers and the next thing I know I am shallowed by these mists. Now I am here talking to you."

Yeman looks up to the sky. "Will you stop that. I was helping her just to help. I have nothing to prove to you."

As he looks back down to you. "I'm sorry, you must excuse my friend. He likes to butt into my conversations from time to time. He is a really help once you get to know him."

Ioan cocks his head to one side and looks up.

He whispers aside to Adam "I can't see Yemam's friend. Can you?"

As Edgar, Ioan and Adam greet Yemam and begin to exchange histories, Totschlager continues to explore the island. It turns out to be about 20 yards across at its widest point while being a little over 100 yards from tip to tip. The soil is obviously strong enough to support a thriving copse of trees. No animals larger than a squirrel show any signs.

[Ikoma]

Observing the bizarre behavior of te new arrival, egdar politely changes the topic of conversation.

"Well, it seems that our first order of business is to get off of this island. The major difficulty would appear to be getting Raul's bardo across the flow without any tack or mount."

"Whoa, I hadn't even thought o' that. Sorry, Raul. I guess we really ought to take at least a little responsibility for your plight."

Ioan ponders the situation for a moment.

"You know, we could send somebody who swims on ahead to round up a horse, an ox, or maybe even a ferry. How deep IS this stuff, anyway?"

Yemam walks over to the edge of the water and looks into the water to try and judge its depth.

He also takes a moment to listen and have a look around

Listen: 17
Spot: 16
Wilderness Lore: 10

The river in which this island sits is wide. The shore on the nearest side is about a hundred yards away. The shore on the far side is closer to a hundred and fifty yards away. The water is dark, muddy with silt, and it is impossible to determine depth by sight. Twigs, leaves and even logs float on the surface and make it possible to gauge speed. While the river flows smooth, it flows fast - faster than a man can walk but certainly not faster than a horse can run.

Looking upstream, you see mountains rising in the not too far distance. Large and looming, they have already begun to gather snow on their lower portions. The upper slopes are almost certainly covered year round with ice.

Looking downstream, the river soon turns a bend, making it impossible to to see specifics. But in the distance, a wide, fertile valley is opened up. Harvested fields are visible and far enough in the distance, a city near a sea sits.

"Swimming is not my forte nor is this outfit made for aquatic adventures. Anyone else inclined to try the river? I am sure that there is some rope that we can use as a lifeline."

The groups stands on the bank, trying to evaluate what risks... if any... lie in the river before committing to an attempt to get the group off the island and find things to eat or a place to stay.

"Well, since no one is willing to wade into the river alone, why don't you all just get behind the bardo and push it across. I will assume the risk of possibly floating away to my death and guide you from up top."

Looking at Egdar with confusion.

"Maybe we can just instead try something else. The current looks strong enough to be a problem to swim across, so maybe we can shoot the rope across."

"If you can find me a target and we have enough rope, I can try to hit it with my bow."

Looking into the sky again. "Of course I can hit it. I'm not as bad as I used to be."

"I'm sorry...Do we have enough rope or a target? This just seems to be safer and maybe we can get to the city out there." As Yemam points into the distance.

Ioan looks really bewildered. Or maybe bewildernessed.

"I got nothin' guys. Can't swim. Maybe I could Bull Strength a few of us to help with the swimming and pushing, but I'd need to spend a day preparing the spells."

Enough rope can certainly be gathered, both from among the party members and from Raul as well. With this supply, the group looks for a suitable target to shoot at. Both far banks lie maybe 20 or 30 feet from a forested tree line. That puts the nearest trees at 320 to 330 feet away (make sure to add range penalties). A tough shot, to be sure, but not an impossible one. A particularly large tree sits, tantalizing in it's possibilities for helping the group get off the island.

However, getting people off the island will do nothing to get Raul's bardo and smithy off. Raul takes some time, while the group is preparing for the shot, to lock up his livelihood. He looks at the variety of forged objects.

"It doesn't make much sense to leave all of this here. I may never be able to recover it. Besides, you saved my son. I can't pay you with coin but I can reward you. Please, each of you, choose an item from my stock and consider it payment for your services." (Almost any non-magical metal item could be available. Unless you want something exotic or magic, just include your selection in your next post and add it to your character sheet.)

While you look over the wares, Raul raises another concern. "Do any of you have any ideas for how we can safely take Nikki to the far side?"

Yemam gathers the ropes together. "Can someone help me tie these ropes together. We just need it to hold while we get across."

OOC: I believe we can just take 10 on the checks but so it doesn't take all day we should definitely all try it.

Use Rope: (Take 10) = 13

Looking at Raul Yemam says, "As I was not there to help in whatever ordeal your son went through, I cannot feel right taking anything. But as for a way to bring your son across; My backpack is magical and could quite easily fit and provide enought air for your son for the short amount of time it should take to get across."

Yemam ties the ropes together, testing each knot to ensure they would hold. Nothing would be good about the rope coming loose halfway across the river. While he worked, he talked with Raul about getting Nikki across.

Edgar calmly suggested that once they get the arrow fired and the rope embedded in a tree as best they can tied to a shaft, they might want to send a single person across. Then that person could tie the rope off much more securely before someone risks transporting the child.

Totsclager sits alone. Something has been bothering the soldier, but he has not talked. He has been quiet.

As has Adam. The warrior has been lost in prayers. He bitterly repents of his failure of courage in the last encounter with the ghost. He vows to find a reservoir of fortitude in the future.

Ioan wanders around the attempt to get off the island. He offered several suggestions. Some helpful. Some not. But most were tactlessly offered.

Raul has finished packing the bardo in the eventuality that they cannot get the wagon off the island in the near future.

After Yemam gets the rope tied together, he takes the bow off his back and ties the rope to a single arrow. He cocks the arrow and fires it across the river to the tree on the far bank. The arrow buries deep into the tree.

To Hit: 18

Looking into the sky again. "See I told you I would hit. Jokes on you!"

Looking at the group. "I'll go across and tie the rope to the tree as best as I can." He ties an extra piece of rope to himself and hands it to whoever would hold it. "You know....For extra security."

Climb: 12

OOC: Let me know if you need any more rolls for climb before I attempt to tie the rope to the tree. I imagine I have roll a few times more to get across.

Adam awakens from his prayers refreshed and revitalized. He enjoys the time he spends in communion with his Lord. Stands and begins to search about the island for Lindon, his faithful warhorse.

He hopes that his good friend made the trip here to the island. After searching for Lindon Adam joins the group and offers whatever assistance he can.

(OOC. Sorrry for the lack of posting life got hectic the last couple of days)

Yemam's arrow flies true, despite the weight of the rope causing it to wobble some during it's flight. It strikes and thick and tall pine tree, standing near a thick stand of maples. The arrow sinks deep into the wood. The rope is tied securely to the shaft, but the shaft is nothing more than a dowel. Not the most perfect tool for attaching a rope. But it should hold long enough for one of you to get across and tie it much more tightly around a thick trunk.

Speaking of which, the other end of the rope, the end still on the island, is looped around a tree, tied and pulled tight. Of course, it can't be made too tight or you risk pulling the rope from the arrow. As a result, when Yemam tentatively tests it with his weight, the rope sags. Not by a lot But by enough. For the first several yards, he will be above water. But after that, at least some of him, depending upon how high he holds his legs, will touch the water.

A second rope is tied around his waist. Totschlager and Adam jointly take the other end, which has been wrapped a few times around a different tree from the anchor.

With a deep breath, Yemam swings up and begins moving. ((You can cover 10' with a single Climb check (DC 5) or 20' with a single Climb check (DC 10). Since you need to cover 300 feet, I'll leave it to you to decide whether you want to go slow and safe or quick and risky. There are a couple of dramatic events, so each post you write should roughly cover 50 to 100 feet worth of rolls. Missing a Climb check does not mean you completely loose your grip and plunge into the river, so, in the event of failure, just end your post and I'll write up the consequence.))

The rest of the group do something to avoid the nerves while Yemam moves. Just as Yemam reaches the edge of the water, Totschlager speaks up, "Perhaps I should go? I feel bad letting a stranger take this risk."

[Ikoma]

Yemam continues onward towards other end of the rope. His only hope being that the rope is tied safely enough for him not to fall.

Climb 1: 8
Climb 2: 2

OOC: I'm going to go for the safer trip and shoot for DC 5. Not that it made too much of a difference considering I rolled a 2. I had seven rolls up on the link in case you want to go further.

About 20' feet out, a sudden gust of wind tugs hard at Yeman. His hand slips from the rope. He does not fall but it does take a minute or two to steady himself before he continues on again.

((Feel free to post the rest of the rolls you had made for your next post.))

Yemam lets out a relaxed breath and keeps climbing on. After a moment you says, "You know....you could let me know the wind was gonna blow or something. You might want to send encouragment or something. I don't know why I bother with you."

After his rant to his "friend" Yemam continues on in silence hoping for no more sudden gusts of wind.

Climb 3: 12
Climb 4: 5
Climb 5: 9
Climb 6: 10
Climb 7: 13

OOC: I started with the roll right after the failed roll. In total it is seven rolls so far.

Adam is nervous as he watches the new guest cross the river. He looks down and stares at his armor. He realizes that if he needs to help his friend in the river that we won't be able to help.

He turns to Totschlager.

"Keep a tight grip on the rope. I'm going to remove my armor. If something happens to Yemam someone will need to help, but I can't do it in my armor."

Adam quickly begins to remove his armor.

As Adam prepares to potentially go into the water for a possible rescue effort, Yemam continues to shimmy across the rope. Getting about 130 or 140 feet out, the rope dips low enough that despite his best efforts, wrapping his legs up over the rope, his torso is dipped in the river. As water splashes over him, the rope begins to get wet. ((DC for both options is raised by 5.))

The water is cold. Coming off of glaciers in the high nearby mountains within only a few days, it is numbing cold. Almost as soon as the water strikes Yemam, he feels his muscles begin to cramp and his circulatory system take a steep shock. Staying in this cold water for any length of time is a serious risk to long time health. ((Each round (after this one) cause a -1 to STR and CON. This will affect your climb skill as you go on.)) Yemam does a quick mental calculation of the risks. He could go back and get himself out of the river with a single effort. He can also go forward, but would find himself soaked for about 100' before the dip would raise high enough to get him safely out of the water. ((That's 5 high risk/fast climb checks or 10 low risk/slow climb checks.))

By this point, Adam is stripped of his heavy armor. Totschlager has been able to maintain the grip. Even in the aftermath of the battle with Leyla's ghost, he has strength to fight the river.

Yemam shivers as the cold water splashes over him and looks at his choices. "I've come this far, no point in turning back now." His only hope is that the rope isn't too slippery and that his safety rope holds.

Climb 1: 19
Climb 2: 11
Climb 3: 20 (natural)
Climb 4: 8
Climb 5: 2

OOC: I'm still going for the easier option since my climb is not very good. I did not add any penalties into the climbs as of yet.

Adam digs through his pack for a wool blanket and wraps it around his torso. He then moves upstream on the island looking for any large branches or logs that could be used as a flotation device. He attempts to judge the speed of the current to determine what would be the best spot to jump in the river with his float in an attempt to reach Yemam should he fall off the rope.

Spot Check (1d20+2=22)

Adam continues his preparation, in the event that he will need to attempt a rescue of Yemam. He spots a large piece of driftwood beached at the far upstream edge of the island. He hefts it and moves back toward the area where the rest of the party watches the escape attempt.

Totschlager continues to slack out the rope around the tree, making sure that Yemam has enough free rope to climb forward but not too much that he would be swept too far downstream to make rescue take longer than necessary.

Egdar, Ioan and Raul wait nervously watching the drama. (These three need to give Listen checks. If you can't get to it, I'll make the rolls.)

Yemam moves another 30', past the half-way point. But the rope dips further and further towards the surface of the river under Yemam's weight. More and more water pushes at his body, the cold seeping his strength and constitution (Now at -3 STR & -3 CON) Spray makes it tough to breathe. The rope becomes wetter and slicker. The combination of factors is a bad one. Suddenly, something floating down the river, a log perhaps, strikes Yemam as his hand slips. Initially, his legs hold tight and keep him near the rope. His head and torso plunges under the river and the pull of the water increases. This force is transfered through his body, up his legs, and placed firmly on the rope stretching across the river, which looses any slack it still had and goes under extreme tension. Yemam's arms stretch out and his finger grasp for the rope, slipping and bouncing near the rope. Finally, tantalizingly, he gets a grip of the rope and pulls himself back to the rope.

Just as it seems that he has regain control, the rope pops loose from the arrow embedded in the far tree and Yemam is plunged into the river. Luckily, Totschalger was ready. Setting his back, the rope snaps taunt. The currant is swift and almost immediately, Yemam begins to swing toward the shore. Adam dashes down to rescue the rogue. As the soldier steps into the stream, he feels the same pull (Make a Reflex check to avoid being knocked off balance and swept downstream yourself) but tries to reach out and grab Yemam, helping him toward the bank.

((At this point, there is no real risk of anyone being swept away forever. Effective safety measures were put in place. Good thinking. So feel free to write the rest of the rescue. But Adam and Yemam are both freezing cold and suffering at least some STR & CON loss due to the freezing water. Those lost points will come back 1 per hour of warmth (ala around a fire) rather than one per day like standard attribute damage.))

As Yemam falling into the water, still holding the rope, he thanks his luck that the saftey ropes were there. When he is finally pulled out of the freezing water, he is severely shivering and finally realizes that he held the rope the whole time, more out of inability to move then anything else.

"Thhhhhhhank yyyyyyyyou aaaaaaaall ffffffffffffor gettttttttting meeeeeee outtttttt." He says to the group. "Butttttt cannnnnnn IIIIIIII getttttt sommmmmmme warmmmmmmth."

He sits there shivering, not really being able to move from the immense cold. Yemam points to his bow and arrows hinting for someone else to try a crack at it.

OOC: He has a composite shortbow if anyone wants to try and hit the tree themselves.

Edgar and Ioan spring into action. There is an abundance of brush, twigs and small logs. While Adam and Yemam huddle, wrapped in blankets, trying to hold onto their warmth. Raul starts placing rocks, to form as a fire ring.

While he rushes around, Edgar hears a distant sound... is that a horn?

"Good try, there. Let's get you warmed up."

Ioan drops some gathered sticks and assorted papery leaves in what looks at first like a heap, strikes a spark into it, and in seconds there is the beginning of a cozy blaze.

"Quick, I know. It's a gift." (OOC: It really IS a gift -- it's a racial attribute)

Ioan turns to Edgar, and then cocks his ear to the wind.

Listen=8
"Maybe it's a hornswallow, but I can't hear a horn."

Yemam huddles as close to the fire as he can, hoping to fight off the cold in his bones.

"Look, if you say the log coming at me, you should have said something."

At a moment, he looks at Adam. "I thank you dearly. You risked your life for me without me asking. Thank you."

"I just had a thought... what if we used two, or maybe three arrows? Any shot you can pull off once you can pull off again, right? Do we have enough rope to make that work?"

"If not, maybe we could wait until morning, and I could pray for some Bull's Strength to muscle our way across the river."

As Ioan is speaking he cocks his ear to the wind, wondering if what Edgar thinks he heard will happen again.

Listen=23

He also looks to the shores, as if maybe there's something to see out there...

Spot=24.

The net effect, of course, is that though it SOUNDS like he's talking to you, it LOOKS like he's absentmindedly wandering around while flapping his jaw.

Diplomacy=13

Ioan spots it first.

A young deer comes leaping from the shadows of the forest. It stares wide-eyed at the river, its nostrils flared, sweat shining on its hide. Behind it, you can now hear clearly the sounds of breaking branches and barking dogs drawing closer. The deer flees northward along the river in the directions of the tall mountains in the distance.

Moments later, a man astride a black destrier emerges from the woods. Although clearly in pursuit of the deer, clad as he is in the greens and leathers of a huntsman, he reins in the horse and shields his eyes with a hand as he looks across the river at you. He cocks an eyebrow, a smila appearing on his face. "My," he says, "what have we here?"

[Ikoma]

Looking at Ioan, Yemam says, "I might be able to pull it off, but I was thinking maybe we can tie two or three arrows together and shoot it across."

After finally seeing the man on the horse emerge from the forest amid the talk of a strange noise, Yemam just continues to sit and gather warmth. His only hope that the man is friendly and not hostile.

"Screw arrows." Ioan mutters.

He thinks better of himself.

"I mean... if we had some, umm, 'screw-arrows' maybe they'd stick better. But maybe we don't need 'em."

He hollers across the river at the stranger.

"Your deer went thataway," Ioan says, pointing towards the mountains, "but if it's adventure you're hunting, rather than mere game, maybe you'd like to help us off of this mistforsaken spit of an island?"

Diplomacy=7

Adam- near bank of river talking to hunter |23/23| 4, 0, 0| 1d20=8

Adam moves himself from the fire to get closer to the hunter.

He begins to speak.

"As you can see we are stranded here on this island. We mean no harm to you or this community. The story of how we got here is a strange, but adventurous tale. Perhaps with your help we could come across to your side of the river and we could tell it around a nice fire or in the comfort of an inn."

Picking up the abandoned rope Adam looks to the stranger.

"What say you friend. Can you help us across the river?"

Diplomacy (1d20+6=25)

Adam and Ioan ask the hunter for assistance

The hunter smiles broadly. "Good sirs, I'm afraid the Musarde is rather dangerous this time of year."

With a nod toward the wet pair huddled around the fire, "As it seems some of you have likely discovered."

A pair of dogs slink out of the forest behind the man on the horse, and from the sounds behind him, they are merely the lead pair of a larger pack.

"The name is Sir Blanchard. And I must say, it is curious how you lot came to be stranded on the Dead Man's Perch. Bad place that. Rumors abound about that place. In fact, one of the more common rumor is that this place is used as a place of execution for some nasty folks. You can see why I must be... uninvolved. Wouldn't do to set some deserving criminals free, now would it?"

"But I can offer this, when I get back to the lodge, I can send word to the authorities, alerting them to your presence. Assuming you aren't there for a reason, someone should be able to get you off the island."

More dogs have appeared. They mill around the horse and its rider.

"Now, I must say that I am most curious. What story do you tell, that leaves you thus stranded?"

Yemam - Huddled around the fire |27/31| d20 = 17

Yemam just continues sitting around the campfire, hoping his body start to heat up soon. He listens to what the hunter has to say and the part about this being a criminal's execution place pipes his interest.

Looking up to the sky, he whispers, "No...I'm sure I haven't done anything wrong to be set to death. I haven't done anything wrong. I was helping someone, how is that wrong?"

As he sits there listening, he looks around more out of habit then anything else, to make sure no one is creeping up on the group.

Yemam spots no ambushers. But he does notice that dogs in the hunting party seem ill cared for. They are thin, and some show signs of bruises.

The hunter continues, "What? No words of explanation? Perhaps my worries are well founded, eh?"

At this point, an attendant pushes out of the underbrush... on foot. He's gasping hard for breath, carrying a pack. Upon noticing him, Blanchard seems to turn colder and harder, "You lazy scum! Where are the rest of them?"

The still panting retainer points back towards the forest. The sounds of other humans pushing through the growth can be heard. Blanchard raises his voice to shout, "The deer turned north! Follow us! And know that whomever arrives at the kill last gets a whipping!"

Then the man turns back to the party, his attitude shifting like a switch has been thrown, "I wish you all luck. I will, of course, still report your location to the proper authorities. Good day!"

Yemam - Huddled around the fire |27/31| d20 = 6

Yemam whispers, more to himself then to anyone in particular, "That bastard! He thinks he can treat others so poorly. Rich scum."

Looking towards the group. "So what do you all suggest we do. I am in no condition to cross the river as the cold is still in my bones. I can attempt to fire another rope into the tree over there, but it might just slip out again. I am really at a loss at the moment."

The hunters dashes off, leaving even his dogs behind. Ultimately, six human porters come out of the forest, all of whom looks tired and haggard. None of them dare to talk to you without the direct orders of their master. All of them head off to follow.

As the whole assembly moves away, Yemam address the group, noting that it will take some time for him to be prepared for another attempt at crossing the cold and swift river. It seems another plan will be required. Any suggestions?

((We are about two weeks away from getting Totschlager and Edgar back. Yemam is doing a great job. Adam and Ioan, we could really use your input! Let me know if there is anything I can do to help.))

"I've got a spell, 'Bull's Strength,' but I don't have it right now. If we can wait another night, I can prepare us for another attempt in the morning."

((Sorry for the lack of postings -- I've been doing conventions. I'll be back in force this coming Tuesday. I can post tomorrow, and maybe Thursday morning, but that's it for a while.))

"That might work, but I feel like until I get the chill out of my bones I won't be able to make it across. Perhaps someone else can cross the river at first."

The group sits, Adam and Yemam huddled around a fire with blankets wrapped tight to help warm them. As they talk about altering the plan, silence returns to the forest in the abrupt arrival... and departure... of Blanchard. More than one unkind word is uttered regarding the odd hunter. And general consensus, not to mention common sense and safety, sets their next attempt to get off the little island for tomorrow mourning at the earliest. At this point, the conversation turns to plans for food and shelter.

Ioan spots it first, a triangle of white cloth, visible above the tree line. It confuses him for a minute. He points it out to the group. It confuses them all for a minute. And then Edgar shouts, "Sail!"

"Oh-HO! THAT will make things a LOT easier. Now all we need to do is convince the fine sailor to stop and give us some help. Even if the winds are wrong, he could help us get a rope across, and from there any boat can be turned into a ferry."

Ioan thinks for a moment.

"Bribery! Raul, if we can't appeal to his better nature, perhaps you've got something we can bardo with?"

Ioan waits for laughter. This pun was so clever...

Diplomacy=10

Ioan looks to Edgypoet. "Fine. YOU do the talking."

((OOC: I'm off to A-Kon. I'll be back on Tuesday. If we end up sticking around until morning, I can cast "Bull's Strength" three times. It will last 4 minutes, which ought to be enough time to get one of us across on a rope (bonus to climb and swim) and might be enough strength for two of us to muscle the bardo across the river.))

Edgar and Ioan move to the head of the island, to get a better view. The sail is moving with the current, so the ship it is attached to is moving downstream.

Adam and Yemam stay by the fire, while Totschlager stays by their side out of some desire to make sure they are safe whilst in their weakened state.

Slowly, as the sail grows larger, the sounds of a man singing drift closer. While the individual words of the song are indistinct, the general tone is certainly jaunty and enthusiastic.

Suddenly, the ship, a single masted, shallow river boat bursts into view. A single sailer sits at the rudder.

Yemam - Huddled around the fire |27/31| d20 = 15

Yemam sits by the fire until the man comes into view. He stands up, keeping a blanket wrapped around himself.

Yemam yells over to the sailor. "Hello there, sir. Might you be willing to help a few stranded strangers?"

Diplomacy: 19 + 11 = 30

[Ikoma]

As the boat draws nearer, the man at the rudder stops belting out his tune. Even before the last note has stopped echoing off the hillsides, the bright white sail of the boat is being lowered, and it slows as it reaches you.

As the boat drifts closer, its only apparent crewmember, a man of average size with a wild curly mane of black hair and a full beard, waves to you. He is dressed in a dark sweater and trousers.

"Ahoy there! Cap'n Timothy's the name, and this is milady, the Virago. Would you folks like some assistance?"

Yemam - Standing near the shoreline talking to sailor |27/31| d20 = 18

"Ahoy. I am Yemam Silverman and these are some of my fellow travelers. Assistance off this island would be greatly appreciated."

"You see, I have found the water to be cold and dangerous first hand and would not like to try that course again if it is avoidable. So might the Virago and her fine captain be willing to transport us at least to the main shore?"

The sailor tosses a line to one of the assembled party!

"Sure I can get you to the main shore. But why do you want to go there? I'm heading on downstream to Karina. There isn't much between here and there. Besides, Carnivale begins soon! I have space on deck for everyone. You would need to sleep on deck or ashore since the hold is full, but you would get to civilization faster that way."

Yemam grabs hold of the line and allows the others to go ahead of himself.

"This is much appreciated Captain. However, I am not so familiar with this Carnivale. Might you explain what it is?"

Ioan nudges Edgypoet with an elbow and whispers:

"You're the smooth talker. I'm all for a ride downstream, but we've got to make sure we can get Raul and his son (and their stuff) to safety. I'd hate to see the guy lose his livelihood. Maybe this guy would help ferry disassembled Bardo bits in exchange for some of Raul's merchandise?"

Responding to the louder comments from Yemam, Timothy calls loudly, "Ah! You folks are new to the carnivale! Then let me be the first to tell you of it's wonders. It is the greatest three day party in the known world. Invidia in general, and Katrina in specific, are well known for their vineyards and wines. The carnivale began as a time when merchants would come to try the newest vintages and make purchases. As years passed, merchants began to bring bigger and bigger parties with them. Noble from the regions around began to come. Today, the carnivale is an excuse to party. Long term contracts have reduced the need to sell each year's crop and product. But the celebration still remains."

By now, the boat is tied and Timothy takes a break in his story to push a gang plank down to enable him to make land fall.

"Wine flows freely. Song and dance are everywhere. Beautiful woman all around. Trust me gentlemen, you don't want to miss Carnivale."

Yemam continues holding the rope, wondering what is taking everyone so long to get to the boat?

Timothy offers his hand to the assembled group.

"Welcome aboard the Virago. It's only a three day sail down the Musarde River to Karina. We'll have lots of chances to get to know each other before we arrive. Give me just a minute to lock things down."

The nimble sailor hops back aboard is vessel and snaps shuts a few locks to the hold as well as the forward cabin.

((Just to keep everyone up to date, particularly with th elack of posting... Totschlager (Ethan) is getting back from Europe Friday (late) and should be back to posting daily next Monday. Edgar (Chris) is driving to Michigan to start his new job Friday and will hopefully be back to posting daily by the Friday after that. Ioan (Howard) is going to be spotty during the con season. It's the price we pay to have a successful and famous web comic creator in our midst. Wink Adam (Jayce) I have not heard from in a bit. Yemam (Patrick) is carrying the load. And it shows in last months XP awards Exclamation

I have had another player express interest in joining, so we'll see if that works out. Thanks for continuing to post and help move the story through this slow patch.))

Grabbing Timothy's hand and hopping aboard the ship, Yemam says to the sailor. "Thank you for your help captain. Is there any way you can think of to get that there bardo to town as well?"

Timothy's eyes narrow as the bardo is pointed out to him. Wordless, his gaze searches out each and every member of the group... even those who may be standing in the back. His face turns unmistakably dark when he takes a good look at Ioan. It's positively locked when he sees Raul. the genial sailer who originally arrived is gone. He has been replaced by a hard man, one capable to doing disturbing things to ensure his survival.

"The four of you are welcome. The two of them are not allowed on my boat. It's bad luck to travel with," Timothy spits, "Vistani. I won't risk my Virago."

Edgar steps forward and takes a more commanding role.

"My excellent Captain. We are desperate on this island. We did not mean to come here. Indeed, the mists of Ravenloft transported us to this place. Leaving us here is sentencing us to a miserable fate. Please open your heart nad help us... and our Vistani companions."

Timothy stares, his faze still stoney. "Have you not learned your lesson? I am sure whatever ill fortune you have had is the result of these charlatans and thieves. As I said before, I will take the four of you. But those two are not allowed on the boat."

Returning his gaze to Yemam, and visibly trying to be more polite. "Besides, there is nothing I can do to get that wagon off the island. The currant is too swift. By the time I cast off, maneuver to the bank, I will not be able to attain the island again. And the bardo is to big to fit on my deck. Even if it belong to a person, my hold is full and I cannot set my livelihood aside. And even if you got the wagon to the shores, what would you do then? There is no road. You have no beasts to pull with. And there is the dense forest. Fate has stolen this bardo from your friend."

Realizing you are truly in a difficult spot, Edgar pushes forward. "I see the truth in what you say. I am sorry, Raul, but we cannot take the bardo with us. But I am sure, Captain, your distaste for the Vistani would not leave a father to die with his infant son."

And with that, it is obvious the battle is won. All that lies ahead is for Timothy to find a suitable way out. Even Timothy would not spite an innocent babe, even if it had the misfortune to be born of the dark blood.

"Well, I guess they can ride in the dinghy. It could trail the Virago on a rope. Would that suffice?"

The group turns to Raul and Ioan...

Ioan turns to Raul and speaks quietly, hopefully out of earshot of Timothy.

"Sorry he lumped me in w' you like that. Or you in w' me. Whichever, a dinghy's better'n an icy dip. And if you'd like, we c'n batton down the Bardo, maybe so you could come back for it sometime?"

He pauses... then continues.

"I was gonna suggest you bribe the man for deck-space with some o' your wares, but I see no point in rewarding hatred with coin. I'll ride in the dinghy with you, and together we'll keep your boy safe, warm, and dry."

((OOC: If Raul is in, Ioan is in. Waiting for next DM post.))

Yemam looks at his two traveling companions left out of the boat and hopes that they do not feel too insulted. However, for better or worse he keeps his mouth shut about his own feelings and sees where this goes.

Raul is willing... and apparently unsurprised. The Vistani are often looked down upon, everywhere but Barovia. With the arraignments made, everyone goes to work. Bardo, with the help of Edgar and Ioan, tie up and secure his bardo. Raul repeats his offer to let anyone select an item from his inventory. It will do no good sitting on a speck of an island in the middle of nowhere.

Totschlager, Adam and Yemam help Timothy untie the dinghy and tie a 20 foot length of rope to let it trail behind. In addition, the crews bedrolls and other equipment are moved to the deck and tied to a railing, to prevent it from slipping off the deck and into the freezing water.

When everyone is ready, they take their places. Totschlager and Adam give the boat a good shove. As the current begins to take the Virago, they jump aboard. Yemem makes sure to grab their hands and help them aboard.

Their is a sense of excitement... at first... that soon turns to tedium. Timothy has rigged the boat so that a single (accomplished) sailer can handle it single-handedly. In conjunction with the fact that not a one of you has the skills to help out means that soon, the group is sitting around, watching the miles flow by.

Timothy attempts to spark a conversation, "So... what happened to get you dropped on that island."

Yemam - Sitting on the deck looking at the shoreline |27/31| d20 = 10

"Well, I am entirely sure about my new companions here, but I myself was helping this poor young woman. She was recently robbed and I was searching for the thieves. The next thing I know I was shallowed up by the mists and dropped on that there island. Tragic thing. I do wish I was able to help that woman out."

Spot: 17

Ioan looks longingly forward at the conversation on the deck of the ship. He can almost hear everything being said.

He raises his voice and begins a quick, bellowed narrative.

"Yeah, me an' Edgy -- the poet guy there -- an' Tots, an' Adam... we were helping Raul here. He was having... ummm..." Ioan glances at Raul, who has cocked an eyebrow at him "... marital difficulties. We convinced his... ex wife? Yeah. Convinced her to quit stalking him. An' then the mists showed up and we woke up on that spit o' land in the middle o' the river."

Diplomacy = 17.

He sits back down, feeling inordinately pleased with his recounting of the recent adventure, as if he was actually participating in a conversation. He turns to Raul... "She is kind o' yer ex-wife, now. Whatever that thing was, right? Sorry I had to kill it."

[Ikoma]

Timothy listens intently.

"Hmm, that makes sense," he motions back to the dinghy, "messing with the Vistani will always get you noticed by the powers that rule these lands. Take my advice, cut those two loose as soon as you get the chance. You lives will be easier."

Silence reigns for a moment before Timothy tosses out another question, "So, what brings a Falkovian soldier to slum it with the rest of this group? No offense intended, you realize." He directs this last to Yemam, Adam and Edgar.

"As I have only very recently met these fine people, I do not know their reasons for sticking together."

Yemam looks up to the sky and for a moment looks like he might say something, but stays quiet. After a moment, he responds to Timothy's statement, "Oh and none taken."

Listen Check=25 (+5 on a natural 20

Ioan whispers...

"Raul, let's take turns keeping watch on the rope. I'm pretty sure Timothy was bein' metaphorical when he said 'cut those two loose,' but I'd rather not find out I'm wrong by waking up at the bottom of the river."

Totschlager stays quiet. Almost as if he was aware the question had been directed at him. He gazes off into the distance, still obviously rattled by something.

As the group continues to push downriver, moving at a fairly rapid clip, the group opens up into a rousing discussion. Edgar and Timothy, being the most vocal, keep it going. But Yemam and Adam to participate frequently. Raul and Ioan also have a chance to talk. Timothy makes no move to actually cut the rope and set the dinghy adrift. A dinghy is worth more than two vistani, after all.

Raul is certainly more open at this point than he has been at any point before. [Ioan gets a check box for Acceptance. Good ongoing work with Raul.] He talks about the loss and now freedom that came from dispelling the ghost of his dead wife. It's a cathartic experience for Ioan. Nikki even seems to be improving. He eats more in that first day on the river than Raul can remember him eating in a week before.

As dusk approaches, Timtohy brings up the topic of camping. It seems that he is uncomfortable trying to sail the river in the dark. To much driftwood and sandbars shifting to risk the Virago. He usually finds a safe anchorage and sleep aboard the boat. But the group of you just won't fit on the deck. The best bet would be find a place to make the bank. The party can camp out while Timothy stays on board. Since you really have no room to argue and are fairly grateful for your rescue, the group agrees. Timothy finds a spot and skillfully maneuvers the boat to the bank. And thus begins the preparations for the night. Timothy locks his vessel down as Adam pulls the dinghy back in to allow the vistani to disembark. The party then prepares for night.

((Post any special actions you wanted to take; either on board during the day or in preparation for the coming night away from civilization in the wilds of Ravenloft.))

Throughout the entire days trip, Yemam had a look on his face like he heard something from above him, however, unlike before he kept quiet. He quietly agrees to camping on the shore and helps the rest of the group disembark before doing so himself.

Yemam finally disembarks saying, "Thank you once again Captain for letting us go with you. It is most definitely saving us a great amount of trouble."

Yemam begins to prepare a camp area close to the shore. He unrolls his bedroll. "Ioan, I remember you saying you are gifted with making fire. Would you mind making us a quick pit?"

Looking towards the rest of the group. "I believe we should keep watch throughout the night. Make sure no one or no thing comes up on us. I would be willing to take the first watch if need be."

At that, Yemam reaches into one of his pouches and pulls out a flaming stone and lightly tosses it into the air. It soon begins to orbit his head, providing him light.

Once Timothy gets onto the boat, Yemam looks around and then looks up again. "Now why would you do that. You know how people react to me talking to you. All day asking if we are there yet. Honestly! Maybe a little later we can have a better talk."

Hide = 23
Listen = 26
Spot = 16
[OOC: These are for when Yemam takes watch. I'm going to hide and listen and spot throughout the shift. Let me know if you need any more of any type of roll.]

Ioan moves to the firepit, and in half a moment there is steady flame. If you blinked, you missed it.

"I'll take the first watch. I'm not sneaky, but I can keep my eyes open."

Listen=17, Spot=19, Hide=9

The group seems oddly subdued. It's been a tough day. But such is life in Ravenloft.

The sun sets and the fire roars. The group was able to gather quite a bit of fire wood, certainly enough to keep a decent sized blaze going throughout the night. The stars come out and present a beautiful jeweled sky. Timothy warns you to enjoy this night weather. Sailors intuition tells him that rain is coming soon. Perhaps even tomorrow.

Yemam and Ioan both offer to take first watch. After tossing lots, Yemam comes out and shoos Ioan off to his bedroll. The rest of the group makes their evening preparations and settles in. Timothy retires to the cabin of his boat.

As the party drifts off to sleep, Yemam is engulfed by the natural sounds of the forest. These noises comfort Yemam as he has enough experience to know that predators of the natural and supernatural drive the wildlife under ground. Chattering squirrels and hooting owls serve as a first But Yemam's watch passes quietly. He wakes Ioan and then moves to sleep. Ioan settles in to watch. ((I need a Listen, Spot & Search check.))

((OOC -- You've got my Listen and Spot. I rolled those against my watch, not against setting camp.))

Search=15

Ioan listens to Yemam's dull report of the first watch. "Okay, so animal noises are a good thing. Got it."

Ioan settles in for his few hours watch. The stars continue to wheel across the dark sky. And the animals continue their night song. At one point, Ioan believes he hears a strange splash somewhere nearby. He stiffens, making sure to listen hard. And despite the hammering of his heart, he continues to hear the normal forest sounds and after several minutes, settles back into the routine of watching. The rest of his watch passes without event. At the appropriate time, he goes to wake Totsclager (need Listen, Search, Spot) for his watch.

Adam agrees to take the final watch. Before settling to sleep he will offer prayers to his God. He settles into a deep sleep as the last battles have been rough on him. He awaits the other to wake him for his turn on watch.

Ioan is asleep, dreaming about what might happen during Adam's watch...

Random d20 = 2.

Adam takes over the final watch. As the sky imperceptibly begins to brighten, turning from a deep black to a merely dark velvet, the familiar sounds of the forest fade. No aggressive sounds replace them. Adam keeps an open eye, his attention focused. Minutes pass. And Adam knows something is watching the group.

He slowly and quietly drew his weapon. And just as he decides it is time wake his companions, the noises of the night resume. Whatever predator had been there apparently decided against attacking the party. Adam breathes a sigh of releaf.

Within an hour, the other campers begin to stir. The camp arises and begins their morning preparations.

((Everyone post any specific actions they want to take as the group wakes, eats, packs, and finally sets sail.))

Yemam wakes and quickly scans the area for anything watching us, more out of habit then not trusting the eyes and ears of his new friends. He then grabs his gear, gets a quick meal, and looks for Timothy to wake up.

Listen = 12
Spot = 24
Random Die Roll = 10

(OOC: Sorry for the two days of not posting. Life got really choatic for those two days.)

Listen, Search, and Spot rolls (1d20+1=14, 1d20+1=15, 1d20+1=19)

Totschlager breaks his silence of the last few days. He walks to Raul and says to the smith, "My friend, please forgive me for my undo silence these last few days. When we were fighting with your wife and the mists took us to this new place, I saw a vision - in memory - of my wife whom I can niether picture nor recall. It has put me in a somber mood - knowing that I have a wife I do not remember. Had I been myself I would have offered to ride in the dinghy with you. I understand that you had a fear of me as a Falkovian when we first met and I do not want you to believe that I harbor any ill will towards you. Please forgive me of my... distance... this last while, and if there is room for one more in the dinghy, I would feel honored to ride with you today if you would let me. As I have promised, as I live I will do all in my power to ensure the protection of you and your son."

After this (or before - whatever works for the story), Totschlager approaches Timothy and tells him, "I apologize for my quiet yesterday. Your friendly question did not deserve my curt silence. I will answer you truthfully that I do not remember Falkovia nor indeed anything from more than a few weeks ago when I found myself in the midst or Ravenloft's mists in a village in Barovia. I have sworn to protect the good Vistani smith and so if it feasible, I would prefer to ride with the Raul and Ioan in the dinghy."

Totschlager goes about getting his small kit together for the day.

[OOC - I'm back!!!]

Ioan moves away from the party and kneels in prayer, recharging himself spiritually and emotionally for the day to come.

"Water-walking would be nice" he mutters.

After a few minutes of uninterrupted prayer he returns to the party.

[Ikoma]

"Hey, Tots... it looks like you might still be limping a little. Here..."

Ioan reaches out and touches his ring-finger to the nape of Totschlager's neck.

Lesser Restoration = 2

Ioan cocks his head to one side, and screws up his face (well... his face already looks screwed up. In this case, however, it's because he's concentrating.)

"I'm not sure, but I think you could use another. That Leyla really took a piece outta you, Tots."

Timothy rises last. The door to his cabin opens and he stretches as he steps up onto the deck. "I hope everyone slept well. I did!"

This appearance spurs the group to action after a slow morning. Gear is tossed on deck and tied down. Timothy raises sails and prepares to loose the boat. He raises an eyebrow when Totschlager chooses to ride in the dinghy but says nothing.

As the Virago catches the wind and the current, Timothy begins to belt out a joyous bawdy song. His enthusiasm for life is infectious. At the conclusion to the song, he shouts out so that everyone can hear, "We've got one more full day of sailing before we arrive in Karina tomorrow afternoon."

With that, the day settles into a similar routine. It's a cool, clear day. The sun is bright but the coming fall puts a bite into the air. Or perhaps it is the cold river spray as the boat rushes down river.

Yemam does his best to stay out of Timothy's way as he sets the Virago a sail. Just to make sure nothing is following the group or preparing an attack from below, Yemam scans the shore and sea.

Listen = 17
Spot = 15
Random Die = 16

Totschlager tries to get as comfortable as he can in the dinghy. He pays particular attention to Raul and the infant - almost furtive in his concern for their welfare.

Ioan rides with Raul, Nikki, and Totschlager in the dinghy. He appreciates Tots' gesture, and takes time to study his generous friend.

Spot = 16
Sense Motive = 18
"Tots... are you SURE you're okay?"

"Don't go chinning up at me, either. You're tough, but if you're still hurting, I can help. You might as well let me have another go at you. I've got the spells for it today, but who knows what tomorrow may bring?"

Back in the dinghy, Totschlager is happy to note that Nikki is doing great. It seems that they were indeed successful in snapping the tie that bound the child to next world. Raul is obviously relieved and grateful. He jokes with both Totschlager and Ioan. If he is feeling any sorrow at the loss of his wagon and craftsman's tools, he does not show it.

Ioan notices that Totschlager is out of sorts. [Nice post, take a mark for your Diplomacy.] He offers to help. Whether Totschlager accepts is up to him.

Raul seems willing to discuss Totschlager's curse more with the warrior and asks him what he would like to know.

Back on the main boat, Timothy does most of the talking, although the others participate as well. Adam is normally taciturn at the best of times - a man a few words and noble actions. Mostly Timothy asks lots of questions, how the group came to travel with vistani, where they had last known themselves to be, what were current conditions in Barovia - a land shrouded in mystery, even for Ravenloft. He intersperses his questions with stories of his own. Mostly of women in a variety of ports or narrow escapes from the criminal gambling element. It should be obvious to even the most inattentive observer that Timothy enjoys women and risk - preferably at the same time!

Yemam gets the opportunity on this day to observe the group that he has been thrust into. It is obvious they have a connection... forged by joint experience and faced danger. It is something that Yemam feels drawn to.

Observing the group discussion on board the Virago, Yemam looks into the sky, "Yes old friend. I'll ask them. I realize how much you want to know."

He then turns his attention to the group on board who no doubt have a curious look upon their faces and askes a simple question, "Why is it that so many different people are traveling together? I mean I understand if it is a sore subject, but my friend, Locke, is quite curious over this whole ordeal."

[I'm wanting some input from the other players so I am going to leave this open. But I did want to award an Experience Grid check to Yemam for Fred. Nice integration of your character and the current story issues!]

Yemam stands waiting for an answer.

Yelling from dinghy to deck...

"There's not much to tell, really. We were each passin' through this town when a nasty fire broke out, an' we all ran to help. The next night we went poking around looking for who started the fire, and found more of a "what" than a "who."

"I went through pretty much all of my holy water that night. 'cept for one vial. That one I... um... dumped on Raul's ex-wife. 'Cause she was undead...-ish."

Ioan looks at Raul apologetically, and waits a beat for the inevitable eye-roll.

"Anyway, she took some swings at us, and just about tore the marrow right out o' Tots here."

To Totschlager: "Speaking of which, you still look a little shaky. Lemme fix?"

"Oh!" he yells... "It was right after that the mists took us. Got me to wonderin whether the mists don't have something to do with the undead."

Ioan starts to mumble to himself... "I've spent half my life tryin' to figure this out, and here I get a chance to actually see it work, and I fall asleep the minute the mists hit. Maybe a blessing of fortitude next time? 'Lesser Restoration' removes fatigue... would it keep me awake? Or maybe I just need to brew a proper pot o' Vistani Sunrise, like Mom used to make."

Ioan's mumbling along these lines, speculating on the nature of the mists, the undead, and bitter beverages will continue until somebody interrupts him.

The rest of the day passes uneventfully. The river's banks seem to slide effortlessly by as the boat rides the wind and currant. You get the chance to see what a marvel the Virago is. Timothy has rigged the entire boat, one that would normally take three or four sailors to operate, so that he can safely sail alone.

The day gets cooler as it progresses. Clouds slowly gather, an ever graying sky overhead. There does indeed seem to be a chance there might be rain that evening. Timothy apologizes again that he hasn't room aboard for the party and they may be forced to rest that evening in uncomfortable wetness.

As dusk falls, Timothy finds a suitable camp site and brings the Virago into anchor. A short distance from the bank, a thick stand of trees stands, on a slight rise that will provide an excellent shelter and protection from the elements. The group gathers their camping supplies and heads for the site. Timothy bids them a goodnight and heads down into his cabin.

((I need the order for watches and a spot and listen check for each sentinel.))

"I'll take the first watch" Ioan offers. I need lots of beauty sleep in order to recharge in the morning.

Spot=25
Listen=6

"Speaking of which," he turns to Totschlager, whose unpacking of the dinghy and Virago was obviously hampered, "I'm going to help you with this whether you ask for it or not." He reaches out and claps Tots on the shoulder...
Lesser Restoration=3

"Now, to bed with you lot."

Yemam looks at Ioan, "Thank you for offering first watch. The sea does tire one out easily. Let me know when you need to rest and I shall continue to look for danger."

Hide = 12
Listen = 12
Spot = 18

A slow drizzle begins to fall as the sun sinks behind the horizon. Ioan takes the first watch as the rest fall to sleep. Nothing happens... unless you count a cleric getting wet as something happening.

After his alloted hours, Ioan wakes Yemam, who settles in to watch. It's a much more difficult task with the water. Most of the wildlife have stayed in their dens to avoid the water. The animals that are out and about make less noise. Sometime around midnight, Yemam spots something large moving in the woods to the North of the encampment. The river sits to the West of the encampment. A glance shows Yemam that the Virago bobs restfully. There is no sign that anything odd is going on. And as the minutes slip by, whatever it was moving in the wilderness does not make an appearance. At the alloted time, Yemam rouses Totschlager for his turn at watch.

((Yemam, please post what you pass on to Totschlager. Toschlager, I need your spot/listen checks for your watch. Adam & Ioan, please post some cool atmospherics.))

Waking up Totschlager, "Um....Totschlager is it? Its your turn for a shift. The animals are sleeping tonight, making spotting intruders that much harder. I believe I spotted something moving over there (pointing North) but it seems to have gone away for now. The night is calm....almost too calm with the rain."

"In any case, I am off to sleep. Good luck. Locke will help in watching out for us."

At that Yemam goes into his bedroll and proceeds to fall asleep.

[Ikoma]

Ioan sleeps soundly, dreaming of fire, water, and ghosts. Mostly, though, he dreams of water... drifting endlessly in a tiny dinghy, forever bailing water with a bucket that leaks almost as badly as the boat. At least the water is warm.

The dream-ghosts are less intrusive, more a part of the background than anything else... though there is one moment when a spirit passes right through Ioan, growling and gurgling strangely on the way out.

On a Listen DC 10, Totschlager will hear the spirit of Ioan's breakfast escaping wetly into the night air (Smell check DC 5). Apparently Ioan has both wet his bedroll AND farted through the puddle.

Ioan sleeps through it, and continues bailing warm water out of the dream-dinghy.

Mostly-Random Charisma Roll=4

((OOC: Asking me for atmospheric posts is begging for trouble Wink...))

Totschlager thanks Yeman for waking him and takes his watch as Yeman lays down to sleep. The humid stench wafting from Ioan is enough to gag a hog, but Totschlager fights down the urge to vomit. He is silently grateful for his stinky and uncouth friend. The resurgence in strength that Ioan has blessed him with is greatly appreciated.

[OOC - is it too late to have accepted - retroactively - Ioan's offer to restore more of Tots's STR?]

Totschlager takes a minute to get back into his armor after he wakes then grabs his greataxe and focusses his attention on the camp's surroundings.

Listen, spot, and search check (1d20+1=14, 1d20+1=10, 1d20=10)

((Wow! When I asked for atmospherics, I was kinda thinking about creepy atmospherics. But those were pretty good.))

Totschlager settles in for watch. Yemam moves to find a dry spot for his bedroll. The drizzle continues. The forest is dark. Densely dark as the low clouds block any starlight and most of the moon. The silvery orb barely penetrates the clouds.

The constant drips act like a metronome, encouraging sleep. But the cold and wetness encourages wakefulness. Unfortunately, seeing anything in the night is nearly impossible. And so, it is with some surprise, that Totschlager hears a sniff... close by. Spinning his head around, he desperately glances, trying to find the source. And with a growing sense of dread, he becomes sure that there are several somethings immediately outside the firelight. The fighter moves to wake his companions, only to hear the deep growling suddenly come from many points. Several sets of eyes reflect the light and Totschalger knows the fight is on...

((Totschlager needs to make an initiative roll. Everyone else will be surprised this round. Then initiative will kick in for them. Also, check for the combat thread. Remember to post your actions for the next round (at minimum) or two there and I will post the round summaries here. BTW, map coming soon but in general, you are in a small clearing maybe 20' across. 50' to the West lies the Virago bobbing at anchor. The last 25' feet of that is open. In every other direction lies forest.))

Totschlager springs to, yelling to wake the encampment. As groggy, recently sleeping adventures struggle to their feet, pulling weapons and armor to them as best they can, wolves move in for an attack.

A fearsome beast... easily the biggest of the lot snarls as it faces off against Totschlager. It snaps at him, but his shield fouls up its attack.

A smaller wolf tries to tear a piece out of Yemam, but even groggy, the rogue manages to roll away from the beast by a hairs breath.

Another wolf attacks Edgar but also fails to connect.

At this point, the attacks become confusing and intense. Ioan got his shield in the face of one wolf, but another bit him while he was distracted. [-3 hp] Adam gets the worst treatment. A wolf snaps at his legs while an enormous beast savages his hip. [-20 hp] Another small wolf tries at Totschlager and misses completely. Yemam nimbly avoids another wolf.

Raul hunches over, trying to cover Nikki. A wolf nips him in the back, but the wounds seems small.

At this point, the group begins to form a defensive force. ((You can all act normally next round thanks to Toschlager's warning.))

Now that he has woken his compatriots, Totschlager turns his full attention to the dire wolf in front of him. Slamming into the beast with his greataxe, but the tough fur blunts most of the strike, allowing only a trickle of blood to flow.

The beast facing Totschlager returns the loving touch. The beast manages to find a soft spot in the armor but does not do significant damage. [-4 hp]

A wolf bites Yemam. [-3 hp] Edgar holds off one of the two animals in front of him.

Yemam seeks to disengage from the two wolves currently snapping at his person to defend Raul and Nikki. But both animals fail to connect. Yemam then delivers a vicious blow to the wolf threatening the vistani and his son, leaving the beast alive but unable to move.

A wolf sinks it's jaws into Ioan's leg. [-2 hp] While another misses Adam.

Edgar tactically withdraws from immediate threatened spaces moving nearer to Totschlager before casting magic missile at the smaller wolf attacking the soldier. The mystical bolt burst in beasts face as it snarls in anger.

Ioan alsot moves to a safer spot avoiding both wolves attacking him in the process. He then casts Bless to call god's favor upon the team.

The wolf hit by the arcane blast fails to bite Totschlager. One of the beast previously attacking Yemam moves to attack Edgar in his new position. [-4 hp] A wolf that had attacked Edgar now moves to Ioan but fails to connect. Edgar now finds himself flanked by wolves as another animal tears into his leg. [-6 hp]

Adam unleashes the might of his great sword into the dire wolf he faces, piercing the thick hide and causing the animal to howl with pain. The dire wolf tries to return the favor, only to find the blade blocking it's every attack.

((I'll give PCs basic actions, but I need a bit more posting guys!))

Totschlager grits his teeth with determination and delivers a mighty blow to the dire wolf. Blood spurts freely. The beast snarls at the solder but fails to connect. The massive animal shows a glint of malevolent intelligence in it's its eyes and moves to retreat. Totschlager tries to make the wolf pay, but the animal retreats into darkness.

Into the vacuum left by the dire wolf, the pack of smaller wolves steps in to nip at Totschlager. He finds himself nearly surrounded by superior numbers as the bite and tear. While he is able to hold most of them off, sheer numbers mean a few get through. [-7 hp]

Yemam moves to protect with vistani smith and his child. With a sickening sound, he pierces the wolf, dropping the beast in an instant.

Edgar also finds himself in a dangerous place, with wolves to one side and the camp fire immediately behind him. A pair of wolves try to bite the bard. Both succeed, tearing Edgar. [-11 hp]

Edgar screws up his concentration and casts a spell. As he does so, a shimmering golden glow covers his body.

Ioan calls upon a spiritual weapon to do battle with on the wolves attacking Edgar. The hammer swings but misses the devious animal.

Adam is left facing a dire wolf and a wolf. He bleeds from numerous bites. With a crunch, the dire wolf catches Adam's leg in it's mighty jaws and nearly tears the limb from the warrior. Mercifully, Adam looses consciousness and falls to the ground, near death and getting closer every second.

The wolf presses past Adam's fallen body to attack Ioan, but misses. It does highlight the sad fact that nothing stands between Ioan, Raul and Nikki and that massive dire wolf than the bleeding body of Adam and that very soon. They will have to face the monster.

Edgar and Totschlager are surrounded by wolves and unable to come to their aid.

((Next round I need listen checks along with anything else you intend to do. New map will ge up Monday.))

With the withdrawal of the dire wolf, Totschlager unleashes a whirlwind of destructive power. His greataxe spins and cleaves through one wolf after another, leaving only a pile of bloody corpses in his wake.

Yemam moves around attack the wolf threatening Ioan. With a thrust of his blade, he slashes at the beasts throat. While he hits the animal, it does not fall.

Over the din of battle, the group can hear conflict behind them. In the direction of the Virago and Timothy. The dark, cloudy sky means that there is insufficient light to see what is happening. But faint outlines are visible.

Edgar, now protected by his shield spell, draws his rapier and begins to move, shouting out for Timothy.

The weapon of spiritual power under the direction of Ioan turns its ministrations toward the wolf threating it's caster. The hammer makes a glancing blow on the beast's head. Due to the wound blood loss caused by Yemam, however, it is enough to knock the animal to the ground.

Ioan takes a step forward and lays his hands upon the near-death form of Adam. Calling upon the power of the light bringer,he infuses the warrior with holy healing energy. Adam shakes his groggy head and finds himself at the monster who had so recently savaged his body.

Adam tries to use his blade to hurt the animal. But being prone makes it difficult. Actually, it makes it impossible.

The dire wolf, with the cunning of it's kind, recognizes that it's pack in this clearing has been destroyed. Retreating, it head off, in the same direction as the Virago... and the conflict with your rescuer Timothy.

Totschlager moves to Raul's side. The vistani and his son appear unharmed. Totschlager pledges to protect the man who appears grateful.

Yemam heads off at a run towards the Virago. He swings his blade at the dire wolf, but the beasts thick pelt prevents the rogue from doing any damage.

Edgar shifts his rapier and, with his other hand, cast a spell on the blade which causes it to burst into a brilliant glowing light. Stepping through the thin line of trees that separate the clearing from the bank of the Musarde river, and raising the blade high, light floods the area. Timothy is visible on the deck of his boat. Even from this distance, it is obvious he has blood on his clothing. His back is towards you are he shoves a furry corpse from the deck into the cold river. It seems that he is unaware of the approaching dire wolf.

Ioan mentally directs the warhammer to attack the dire wolf. But it proves tough to see through the trees. And the animal continues it's path toward the boat. As the spiritual weapon does it's work, Ioan turns his hands back to Adam, giving the warrior even more magical vigor and strength.

The dire wolf, sensing that Yemam has the speed to pursue it, moves to remove the threat, ripping into the rogue. [-14 hp]

Adam struggles back to his feet, with a word of thanks to Ioan. With a deep breath he moves to return to the battle.

Totschlager, after directing Ioan to ensure Raul and Nikki's safety, runs after the dire wolf. He is able to (barely) catch up to the dire wolf and swing his axe. Unfortunately, the exertion proved too much and he fails to connect.

Yemam moves to flank the dire wolf, his agility enabling him to avoid a quick snap. He then drives a hard blow into the beast, critically injuring the beast.

Edgar steps forward 10', cutting off an avenue of retreat for the dire wolf. In addition, the move throws a clear light over the scene and the Virago. Timothy turns, having noticed the light. Blood runs freely from multiple wounds. He looks woozy and pale. But the deck is currently clear of wolves.

Ioan calls doom upon the animal, and with a visible darkening off the light from the dire wolf's eyes, it shudders and staggers. The spiritual warhammer takes advantage and bashes the beast before disappearing into the ether.

Adam comes upon the dire wolf's flank. He sinks his blade deep into the animal with a solid blow. The dire wolf let's out a mournful howl into the darkness. The assembled party shudders, hoping that the sound is not a call for reinforcements.

Finally, the dire wolf tries to escape the snare. Trying in vain to catch the nimble Yemam in it's jaws again, the beast writhes and turns. But being trapped by the fighters, in addition to suffering the effects of the doom spell, leave the animal unable to connect.

Seeing that his companions are taking care of the dire wolf, Totschlager redirects his attention to Timothy (who just disposed of a hairy corpse off the side of the boat). Totschlager runs up onto the boat, axe ready, and calls, "Hail, Timothy! What vile creatures beset you?"

Timothy falls to one knee. "That fella seems to be the last one. Thre wolves beset me aboard the boat. They've been dealt with. But they seem to have done some damage."

He sways but does not fall.

As Yemam jumps back from the wolves last attempt at a bit he yells at it, "A-ha, you see with my new friends and my old friends, you cannot strike true."

Then Yemam stabs at the beast once more. The blade slides home and the animal finally dies! Yemam looks around quickly to make sure no more are coming or hiding and starts to head into the direction of Timothy to make sure he is okay.

Ioan invokes Light on his shield, and holds it up over his head for all to see (and in hope of espying or spooking any additional wolves). He readies his warhammer, just in case. Edgar has his rapier aloft as well. No additional foes seem to appear. At this point, Ioan offers the comfort of magical healing to those in need. And the process of recovering from battle begins for everyone.

Ioan notices that Edgar took a bit of a beating. "Let me have a look at that," he suggests, and at his touch Edgar regains 12 of the 21 hp he lost.

To Yemam: "An' you're certainly to be thanked for yer contributions... however many of you there are." +7 hp.

To Timothy: "I'm sorry we weren't here at the boat for you, chum." He crosses his eyes. "Maybe chum's not the best word for a seaman? Anyway, if you'll have my help now, I can heal you up a bit."

(Ioan can burn through 4 cantrips at 1hp each for Timothy.)

To everyone: "Guys... I'm spent. Maybe... MAYBE if I lie back down RIGHT NOW I'll get enough sleep to be able to recharge in the morning. That took a lot out of me."

And more to himself than anyone else...

"Especially the doom I invoked there at the end. Poor beast. We had to put it down, of course, but that it should die shaken by divine terror... that was just cruel of us. No, of me."

Unless interrupted, this mumbling will follow Ioan all the way to bed. About half an hour after that, his shield stops glowing, but Ioan is already asleep.

To Ioan: "The help was nothing. Just doing my part. Locke would have helped more, but he's been afraid of wolves ever since the attack."

To Timothy: "Are you alright there captain? The wolves are sneaky and hungry tonight. Its the rain I bet."

Yemam looks up. "Well you can come out now. They're gone...Fine stay in the tree, but don't wake me cause you thought you heard something."

To the group: "Well, looks like the wolves have been stopped for now. I sure hope no more come in the night. But I must be getting to bed. Its late and I assume we want to leave as early as possible."

At that, Yemam falls asleep somewhere in the visinity of Ioan.

Totschlager on the boat with Timothy | 28/39 HP | 1d20=19

"Timothy," Totschlager says in genuine concern, "You do not look well. Are you much hurt?"

As Totschlager says this, he reflects for a moment his own condition and hopes that his wounds are no worse than they seem.

Timothy finally finds a seat, "They caught me quite by surprise. And managed to hurt me quite a bit by before you rescued me."

However, Timothy flatly refuses Ioan's help. It seems that even in the face of injury, he is a bigot through and through. "I would even bet that those wolves had something to do with those damed vistani."

The bruff response chills the evening. The slow drizzle continues. One by one, first Raul, then Ioan and Yemam trundle off to sleep. Totschlager, still technically on watch, debates what to do next. Edgar and Adam take a chance to help Timothy clean the deck of his boat. As they do so, Edgar begins to subtly press the sailor as to the origins of this distrust of the vistani.

The night ends quietly and somewhat off. The surprise attack by the wolves and the continued bigotry of Timothy combined with the very serious wounds suffered (although recovered from) makes everyone quiet.

In the morning, the gang breaks camp. Nothing untoward bothered them the rest of the night. The rising sun finds improving weather. Clouds still cover a lot of the sky, but the sun blazes out of a clear sliver of blue sky. In silence, the group packs up onto the deck of the Virago and sets sail. The vistani ride in the dinghy, the others ride on the deck. Edgar quietly... and respectfully... asks Timothy why he so actively distrusts the vistani. It takes most of the morning before he opens up... and relates a story.

*****

"The vistani turn up where you lest expect them and always want what you can least afford. They're never to be trusted, always spouting lies and stealing your gold. There's a good reason why I won't let any gypsy on my ship, and if you listen, I'll tell you why.

I once heard of a sea captain names Bartley from Port-a-Lucine, a rather pitiable sort, who went into a vistana's tarokka booth for a reading. Down on his luck for the past year, he wanted to know what cargo he should take on his next trip to Leudendorf, so that he would make his fortune and retire.

Now the old woman looked at him and said, "Life has not treated you well, I can see, but your luck is about to change for the best. I will tell you what cargo to carry, but you must do what I ask when you arrive at your destination." Captain Bartley was so desperate that he agreed to her strange request, so long as the vistana would prophesy for him. And the old woman took out her cards, and laid them on the table. She told him to fill him ship with timber.

So Bartley did what he was told, and sailed up to Leudendorf with a hold full of seasoned pine. When he arrived, he learned that there had been a terrible fire in the city. Many houses had been burned to the ground, and there was not enough wood to rebuild. Bartley's ship was the first to bring in a full supply of timber, so he made an incredible fortune. One foggy night, just after he sold the last of his timber, Bartley heard a knock at his cabin door while his ship lay docked at port. When he opened it, there he saw the same grim-faced vistana from Port-a-Lucine.

She fixed him with her evil eye, and said, "You have made your fortune, now you must do as I say. Give up the sea forever, and never set another foot aboard this or any other ship. If you agree, you may keep what you have earned, but if not, you will loose everything."

Captain Bartley was not at all pleased by the vistana's curse, but before he could argue with her, she stepped back into the foggy night and was swallowed by the mists. Bartley searched the entire ship, but found no one but his startled crew.

I'll be the first to admit that sailors can be very superstitious. Some of the crew heard the curse of the vistana. Bartley was already know as an unlucky captain and many of his crew left him. A few figured that Bartley's luck had changed for good and decided to sail again. For you see, to ground a true sailor is to kill him, regardless of his fortune or luck.

So, despite the curse, unlucky Bartley decided to sail back to Port-a-Lucine, though most of his sailors had deserted him. As he approached Lucine Bay, a terrible storm descended upon his ship. The rain fell in blinding sheets and the swells were higher than the tallest mast. Bartley lashed himself to the tiller and screamed out his defiance against the vistani into the dark howling winds.

It was then that the ship started coming apart. All over the decks, the tiny nails started squirming out of the wood, like squeaking little iron worms, and once a plank was free, it went hurling up into the night and the screeching gale. Frantic men ran about, tying themselves to anything that would float, but Bartley stood fast to the helm, still screaming into the wind, oblivious to his impending doom.

In the morning, pieces of the wreckage washed up on shore with the lucky crew, who all somehow survived the black maelstrom. But poor Bartley, he was never seen again. In the storms that wrack the Sea of Sorrows, sailors sometimes hear demented screams above the howling winds, and they say it's the Cursed Captain, still raging against the vistani. Now that I can't attest, for I am only a river boat master, but I will never allow a vistani board my beloved boat.

[Ikoma]

Yemam listens to Timothy's story and thinks to himself for a moment. "I am sorry for that captain and I see where you could be fearful for your boat. However, it might be well for your to have our friend look at your wounds. You are quite beaten up from the fight."

Yemam looks to Timothy with sorrow in his eyes. "I will not push this onto you, but even if just for your own benefit, let one of us do something for you."

"And if not, I will no longer try to bring this to your mind since I am no man of the sea and do not even pretend to know or truely understand your customs."

Ioan argues with himself, internally for once, about piping up. Depending on your point of view, he loses the argument.

"Gods, demons, and drek! Timothy, you just don't get it. That legend ain't about Vistani. It's a cautionary tale about looking at the forbidden. We're mortals, so we're not supposed to be able to see the future. Any legend in which mortals DO see the future will teach us why they shouldn't have."

"Even if that story is true, which I doubt, it's no reason to keep Vistani and half-breeds like me off your ship. It's an even worse reason to spend the next two weeks in pain rather than letting me heal you up. The fortune-teller in the story had conditions attached to her gifts. My gifts come with no strings. Besides, we're not fortune-tellers. I'm a healer, and Raul here is a father and a smith."

"Oh, and he plays a mean fiddle. But it was cursed, and brought his dead wife back as a zombie, and we had to kill her."

Ioan realizes he's probably crossed a line somewhere... somewhere right about the fiddle, probably. He sits back down in the dinghy and complains to himself about legends, truths, and fools.

Timothy sits quietly through Ioan's outburst. A few minutes after Ioan quiets down, he say, "We'll see. It's true you two have been pretty good. We'll see."

It's a small victory. But it is a victory.

The day passes quickly. It turns into a beautiful crisp fall day.

Just before noon, the first glimpses of cultivated land is seen. Dense vineyards cover rolling hills. It's easy to see why Karina would be famous for it's wine. They have enough grapes to make a lot. Other traffic is visible traveling through the fertile valley toward the city.

((This is your last chance to take care of anything before you arrive in Karina. I'll post your arrival on the docks tomorrow.))

((Nice post, Ioan. Take a mark in your Diplomacy box.))

Yemam sits and listens to Ioan's outbrust of emotion and then Timothy's answer.

He looks to the sky again, "I tell you Locke. I have never heard of all this. Between these supposed Vistani curses, dead captains, and the attack from last night...I just wish you gave me some advice."

Looking towards Totschlager "Does he [motioning towards Ioan] always get such mistrust? I cannot sense any need to feel such hatred towards him?"

[To Yeman]: I don't quite know. But my experience with Ioan is that, though brash, he is as loyal as Earth's stone.

[To Ioan]: Friend, I did not take advantage of your help as much as I would liked before. Could you spend your healing powers on me? [11 hp]

Totschlager stays with Raul and while a little disturbed by Timothy's story he feels that Timothy needs only know Raul and then Timothy would not have such a bigoted view. How anyone could have bigoted views about someone like Raul is beyond Totschlager. Surely, he smugly tells himself, I could never hold such views of Raul or his people. A shadow of a memory almost breaches the surface of Totschlager's mind but does not fully surface. Totschlager is left with a disturbed feeling he doesn't quite understand. He shrugs it off and keeps an eye on the shore.

"Sorry to be trouble, but my friend Tots is hurting. Could somebody take up the slack in this line, so's I can climb up there on deck an' lay hands on him for a bit?"

Ioan, it should be noted, is NOT wearing his armor at this point.

(Assuming Timothy does not object...)

Taking a 10 on the climb check between dinghy and boat (and assuming the DC is 10 or less, and others will help)

Cure Moderate Wounds=9

"Hmmm... it's all closed up, but you still look achey. I don't think I'll need 'Create Water' or 'Mending' today."

Cure Minor Wounds x2 = 2hp.

Early in the afternoon, Karina comes into view. The Musarde River, the river you've been sailing down, empties into the wide sea. Karina lies a short distance up another river that empties into the Musarde. With the practiced skill born of years of experience, Timothy maneuvers the boat up the river and expertly into the docks. The city is bustling. Wagons are everywhere. Loading and unloading are going on. There are many small river vessels like the Virago, slipped next to larger sea-going ships.

A dockmaster appears within seconds of the Virago tying up. While he and Timothy conduct the business of port, the group gathers their meager possessions and prepares to head into the city.

Timothy returns, happiness on his face. "You'll love carnivale! This city is a treat. I tell you what, why don't we hit the dog fights up in the Falkovian Quarter one of these night?" He looks directly at Totschlager with a wide smile as he says this. "when you're ready, you can find me at the Black Swan," he turns to point to a very disreputable looking pub sitting on the corner of two major thoroughfares, "before midnight. After that, I'll be getting in on the action."

He turns back to the group and a somber expression comes over his face. He thrusts his hand out to Totschlager, Adam, Edgar, & Yemam before turning to Raul and Ioan. with a deep breath, he summons some courage, "You two have been... well, I mean. I'm sorry I made you ride in the dinghy. Maybe I was... well, I could be... it's not impossible I was wrong." He pushes his hand forward, offering it in friendship.

((Remember, I'm not going to describe everything. If you want to add to the description to give your character something to do or to react to, please feel free. Just keep it thematically in line with what I have described. And don't counter anything I have described.))

Yemam shakes Timothy's hand and looks to the group. "So, what is the plan? I say enjoying ourselves in this town might be good after the awkwardness of the boat ride and the pains of the wolf fights."

Ioan shakes Timothy's hand, and smiles. At least, he THINKS he's smiling. With a face like that, it's sometimes hard to be sure. Still, he's pretty sure that he hasn't screwed up this most basic of personal interactions... yet.

"It's okay, Timothy. It was better than swimming. Oh, and I hope you start feeling better real soon."

Diplomacy=20.

Cure Light Wounds=5

Timothy takes Ioan's hand. And then he moves to supervise the crew that has just arrived to unload the Virago. The party is left to face Karina.

Karina lies on the North side of the North side of the Noisette River, (which empties into the Musarde River a few miles down stream. (The Musarde is the river you traveled down.) The entire south edge of the city is nothing but docks. The Virago is docked just to the West of the center of the city. Looking either way, you see a long street. Under normal circumstances, it would have been a wide street. Under today's circumstances, it is packed. Crates, barrels, pallets, chests. Goods are piled everywhere. Wagons are being loaded and unloaded. A press of men, animals, women, and even children are everywhere.

From your vantage point on the docks, you can see a few landmarks features. Just to the East of the city, the Noisette turns South against high rising cliffs. The land to that side of the city rises fast. Perched up on the cliffs, numerous expensive looking chalets sit overlooking the city and the surrounding land.

Sitting on the same rising land is a small citadel. Just outside the city walls, it has it's own fortifications. It looks solid and squat and very out of place. It also looks old and ill-maintained. In some spots, actual whole can be seen in the stone walls.

In what looks like the center of the city, a green mound of earth peaks over the homes and businesses between you and it. Rising 60' above that, and easily the most dominant city landmark, rising a tower. Just below the tower roof, a large clock faces South. You can also see a hint of a clock facing West. It doesn't take a leap of logic to assume two other clocks face North and East.

About 100' East of your current location, you see a very large wide thorough heading North into the city. Despite the throng of people, the road still seems easiest to transverse. With no other real direction, offered, the group moves that way.

Suddenly, a man shouts, "LOOK OUT!" A horse whinnies and panics. An ale cart, laden with heavy wooden casks, teeters precariously as a bay draft horse rears back, ears folded in terror. As the driver works furiously to control the horse and it's partner, who also begins to rear in fear, one of the casks rolls back off the cart and directly toward to children playing nearby. With a scream, one boy disappears beneath the cask with a sickening crack while his playmates stares, frozen still in terror. The cart, now unbalanced, wobbles as the horses continue to try and flee as the rest of the casks shift uneasily

Ioan dives headlong towards the child, hands empty.

Initiative=10
Reflex Save=8

His incautious plunge likely gets him a good smacking by a horse, a cart, a cask, or some combination of the three. Which explains why he can't tell how badly hurt the casked child really is.

Heal check=12

Alive? Dead? Who knows?

Cure Light Wounds=10

Ioan hunches himself over the form of the fallen child, praying for a miracle...

(OOC: I assume a child can't have more than one or two HP, but still gets the "technically alive until -10" ruling.)

Yemam rushes over to the cart and tries to help balance the cart again.

Initiative = 24
Strength Check = 13

As he pushes and pulls the cart to the best of his ability, Yemam scans the scene to see what started everything

Spot = 15

Adam realizes that whatever scared these horses could do alot of damage on this busy street. But first the horses must be calmed or greater damage could be done. He approaches the horses and attempts to calm them by softly speaking to them.

Handle animal (1d20+4=6)

Totschlager with the gang at the spooked horses | 30/39 HP | 1d20=11

Totschlager jumps toward the cart to help Yeman steady it and the remaining barrells. The horses do indeed seem spooked and Totschlager wonders if his own feeling of strangeness has anything to do with the horses' feelings.

Strength Check (1d20+4=1Cool

Totschlager looks for other barrells that may be unsteady and readies to catch or protect as he can.

Spot (1d20+1=19)

Yemam gets to the cart and tries to balance it. It is difficult with the horses panicked and with the weight of the full casks. Keeping an eye out for a cause, the rogue notices something odd. Amidst the chaos, stands a boy, no more than 10 years old, dressed head to toe in black velvet with a wide lace collar. He wears dark leather gloves and pointed slippers. He simply stands there, regarding the scene with a stern, mirthless gaze that stands out starkly against the fear and fury of the dock.

Totschlager jumps to help Yemam and between the two of them, they manage to stabilize the cart enough to reduce the immediate threat of another cask falling.

Ioan, headless of the danger he faces, throws himself to the side of the injured child. By the luck of the gods, the young boy has nothing more serious than a broken leg, and Ioan's clerically abilities manage to deal with the worst of it. The boy is still white with shock and pain.

The fallen cask continues to roll on it's destructive path, striking the other child aside until it smashes into a large stack of lumber. Wine spills over the street and soaking the young girl. The overall unfortunate affect is that she looks like a drowned bloody rat.

Adam moves to the horses side and tries to reassure the beasts. However, whatever is spooking the animals is certainly stronger than his calming words or the ministrations of the cart driver. With a snap, one of the harness straps breaks and one of the horses pulls free of his restraint - partially. It sets off at the best speed it can muster, dragging the cart skewed behind it. Yemam and Totschlager will both need to do something to avoid being harmed by casks rocked by the latest explosion of activity. The two youths - and Ioan - are in direct line as well. The second horse responds to it's escaping partner.

((Nice posts! You all get a check mark in the Innocence box for your prompt and decisive action to protect the children.))

[Ikoma]

Yemam stares at the calm youth for but a second before the cart jerks forward. As it does, Yemam attempts to grab hold of the cart.

Dex Check = 17

As he goes to grab hold, Yemam yells to the driver. "I'm sorry sir. But it might be best to cut that one go for now. Whatever has spooked her is gonna make her do a lot of damage. We can always try to find her afterwards."

Diplomacy = 18

Whether he stay on the cart or not, Yemam makes another quick glance back at the calm youth.

Spot = 15

(OOC: What I'm looking to do is to at least hold onto the cart so that I could try and keep the casks on the cart.)

The miracle Ioan begged for has come. His head is clear, the child in his arms is alive, and he knows exactly what to do next.

Reflex Save=19

Ioan casts Bull's Strength on himself.

Ioan grabs both children (one under each arm if need be) and leaps out of the path of the bolting horse and the wayward cart. Strength Check=12 (Ioan has a Strength of 15 for the next minute.)

Totschlager grabs for the nearest tottering barrells in an attempt to grapple them away from the bouncing cart...

grapple (1d20+4=7)

...and fails horribly.

If he can still move this round, he positions himself behind the cart between any falling barrell and small people behind.

[ouch]

Adam can't let the cart carreen through the cart hurting innocents. If the horses won't listen to him from the ground perhaps they will listen with him on their back (Having just come off the boat he still hasn't put on his armor.) Adam attempt to mount the horse that hasn't partially broken away.

Ride check (1d20+6=9)

As he starts his manuever he can tell from the beginning that this is going to really hurt. He checks off in his head how many healing spells he has left. He is pretty sure he will need every one of them.

As the horse takes off through the crowded street, individuals dive out of the way. Adam tries to mount the other horse as it makes it's break. He is left dangling from the remnants of the harness as the animal explodes into a run. Adam knows letting go now will mean some pain. But hanging on for too long could lead to far more.

The jostling animals cause even more barrels to fall. Totschlager tries to stabilize them. Failing, he at least takes the blows. [-9 HP] Yemam calls to the driver and also tries to stop the casks from rolling free. But his success is limited. When he next glances toward the strange boy in black, he cannot see the youth.

Ioan dives free, taking both children with him. Within seconds, they are safe from the barrels and casks. Once the horses are free, Totschlager and Yemam are easily able to stabilize the cart. But Adam is still at risk... hanging in desperation to the side of a runaway horse.

Yemam sees his fellow traveling companion flailing in trouble on the side of the horse and decides to take a chance.

"Adam, I pray you do not take this the wrong way if I am to miss."

At that Yemam draws his bow and lets loose an arrow aimed at the harness in an effort to break it and free his friend.

To Hit = 17
Damage (if it matters) = 3

Having fought in many battles Adam is well aware of the importance of cutting losses before they become to large. It is going to hurt today as it has in the past.

Adam lets go on the harness and attempt to roll out of the way of the oncoming cart.

Tumble roll (1d20+1=Cool 8

This thread is closed. The story line has moved to a new thread reflecting the third act in this story.