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Post by mister frau blucher on Sept 9, 2011 8:00:06 GMT -5
Hey, my friends, sorry for the long absence. My computer at home is kaput, probably for good, so my work computer is it for a while.
So on Monday I'll get a post up on the hike to the mountain.
If anybody wants to buy anything else or ask any questions, do it over the weekend and I'll answer on Monday.
Sorry again for the delay! I'll make it up to you!
Bret
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Post by mister frau blucher on Sept 14, 2011 11:54:04 GMT -5
[OK, guys, assuming everyone is ready. There is one more character joining the party, blackjack's mage. He joins at the keep, or along the route...I'll let Mike introduce him and specify when/where, but here is the next installment...]
The rain is ceaseless as you pick through the rocky paths. You feel water down your back and in your boots. You walk along ridgelines and hairpin turns, between massive peaks and over beds of talus. In rapidly moving patches, the rain intensifies and visibility drops to arm’s-length. Then it passes and after a quarter day, the bleak mountain reaches above you. There are patches of trees along the face and at the top, other areas of seemingly blasted, bare rock.
Between patches of rain and fog, you see a rough but obvious path leaving the main route heading east from here. The new path heads up a hillock toward the top of Cygnosa. There is also a vague path up the steep, dangerous southern face, but it would take considerable climbing skill to negotiate that route.
Mundy is concerned about keeping his bowstring dry, and defers to Reynaldo on which path to take. Norx just smiles and shrugs his shoulders with the odd detachment he has had since re-joining the party.
[The choice is to take the path winding up the mountain, or try an ascent up the steep southern face.]
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Post by blacknigel on Sept 14, 2011 13:36:37 GMT -5
(By "considerable climbing skill" do you mean a rope ascent, or "so steep you need to use empty hands and feet plus a roll against climbing skill to even try it."
Also, from what we can tell.standing where we are, does this vague path seem to lead up to the top, or does it look more like a spur trail that might end shortly.)
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Post by blacknigel on Sept 14, 2011 14:06:13 GMT -5
Khanmahtt says, "Purrhaps I could climb up that path a short way and take look. What do you think Rraynahldoh?"
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Post by mister frau blucher on Sept 14, 2011 14:32:20 GMT -5
(By "considerable climbing skill" do you mean a rope ascent, or "so steep you need to use empty hands and feet plus a roll against climbing skill to even try it." Also, from what we can tell.standing where we are, does this vague path seem to lead up to the top, or does it look more like a spur trail that might end shortly.) First question: in between the two. Will require a Climbing check, though not necessarily the Climbing skill (which would help dramatically). Rope will help. Khanmaht can tell it would be very difficult - and probably dangerous - for the party to take the steep route. Second question: Assuming you are still talking about the steep path, you cannot tell how far it goes. For that matter, you cannot be sure the easier path goes to the top either. While you can make out the ridge at the top of the mountain in between patches of fog, the path would be too tiny to see clearly from this distance, and in addition it is quickly lost to your sight as it winds into hillocks and trees at the base of the mount.
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Post by blackjack on Sept 15, 2011 20:14:50 GMT -5
While everyone is pondering the road to travel. A voice comes form the edge of the road. "I seem to remember a tale about the road less traveled." " Though the details of the story evade me at the moment." "Greetings my soon to be friends, I'm Shadout." "I've been waiting on you." I tall cloaked figure steps into the road.
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Post by Lord Inar on Sept 15, 2011 22:01:38 GMT -5
Reynaldo and Tembo are discussing which way they think they should go, but are having trouble reaching consensus even between themselves.
[Shadout appears] Reynaldo looks at the others, not seeing recognition, and then back at Shadout. "Greetings to you too, fellow traveler." Reynaldo bows graciously but confidently, knowing his compatriots would protect him should anything untoward happen while he is looking down. He looks back up "...and how long have you been waiting, good sir?"
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Post by mister frau blucher on Sept 16, 2011 10:58:24 GMT -5
[Cool! Mysterious meetings!
Just to be absolutely clear, the steep trail up the southern face is very difficult. It is included in the printed adventure Raid on Cygnosa, so that is why I have included it here. You guys can take that route if you want, but again it is dangerous.
The more level path up the western face is more clearly marked and shows signs of occasional travel.]
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Post by blackjack on Sept 18, 2011 18:53:41 GMT -5
"You make assumptions, Reynaldo. Yes I know who you are. I have been watching you and some of the others in your party." Shadout pulls the hood back revealing a pale thin face with long jet black hair. His eyes are nearly as dark as his hair. He continues; "You assume I am a "sir" meaning I come from a gentile background. Secondly you assume I am good." "Assumptions such as those could get an unprepared person hurt." "I may be the most evil creature you have ever seen." " Luckily your assumptions are mostly correct." "For I mean you and the others no harm and I am no barbarian." " I wish to aid you." Shadout begins to walk toward you arms open in a nonthreatening manner. In his right hand he holds a walking stick of black wood with a large yellow crystal. "I see swords, axes, bows and spears." "However, I don't see anyone in your party that uses a more indirect approach to dispatch enemies." "I think my skills would be a service to you and your fine warrior skill could help me." "What say you?"
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Post by Lord Inar on Sept 19, 2011 0:09:10 GMT -5
"I assume nothing, good sir, as I believe that the best way to treat someone is to deal with them as you wish to be treated yourself. I would rather be proven wrong through misdeeds on your part than the slim satisfaction of being right due to cynicism on my part." Reynaldo smiles. "And you yourself are a victim of assumption, since you assume I am unprepared. But enough of this idle banter. You are correct that we are lacking a practitioner of certain, ...ahh,... skills which may be needed once we are in the mountain. I accept your offer, but of course I am not alone and require the agreement of my companions."
Tembo nods in agreement. "Reynaldo my friend, you have not led me astray yet. I'm for letting him join as well. The road ahead is arduous and not a likely place for idle ill-will. Since you don't look like a snake-man, and we have no enemies in these parts, I can't see what you'd have against us."
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Post by mister frau blucher on Sept 19, 2011 13:54:32 GMT -5
Mundy eyes the newcomer thoughtfully, but says nothing.
Norx eyes him suspiciously and says, "My people are distrustful of wizards, if that is what you are saying. Not to fond of your kind myself, as I have seen little a wizard can actually accomplish." He snorts, but then shrugs. "Reynaldo is the boss. If he decides to trust you, I will, too - but I will be watching you."
With that, he looks at the two trails. "Should we flip a coin? Or take things easy to start out and take the more level trail? A path that winds is longer in distance, but a vertical jaunt can be longer in time. Not sure everyone here can climb particularly well, either."
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Post by blackjack on Sept 19, 2011 18:52:03 GMT -5
"Fine warrior, if you are watching me how will you fight those that attack. I assure you I am harmless to my friends. It is my enemies that need to keep an eye on me." Turning to Reynaldo; "Thank you for the vote of confidence." "Your warrior friend is correct 'the path most traveled' may be our best course."
Enyeto eyes the newcomer. He gives him a not to subtle glare and spits to avoid evil.
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Post by Lord Inar on Sept 19, 2011 21:43:48 GMT -5
"I agree. I am sure our path will become difficult and there is no need to rush headlong into such difficulty. Welcome." Reynaldo holds out his hand to Shadout.
As they walk, Tembo says to Shadout, "Do you deal in life-giving magics? I am skilled in natural healing, but I cannot perform such arts with the same speed as those who can call healing from the air."
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Post by blackjack on Sept 19, 2011 22:14:17 GMT -5
To Tembo: "That is one of the skills I possess." "You will soon find I am full of surprises."
Enyeto to Khanmahtt: "There is something about the newcomer that is familiar and strange at the same time." "I can't put my finger on it."
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Post by Lord Inar on Sept 19, 2011 22:25:59 GMT -5
"I see. I, however, am not full of surprises. What you see is what I am. I hope that one day I may learn to do such magics." Tembo smiles.
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