ROA: Part 1, The Lone Tower

[ArchAngel]

Kratimos holds the wolf tooth, only making out a portion of what's written in ancient Thesian. Even still, the profundity of the relic resonates with him. He looks into the cleric's eyes and bows his head out of respect and gratitude.

Listen Check:
[dice]0[/dice]

[fathom123]

Iron Wizard

Spoiler:

There is no cure as of yet.

Minather

Spoiler:

"Father Michael smiles. "I wouldn't know where to start with that thing my good sir. I know you have a strong mind, trust it and plan accordingly. You will likely encounter dangers in the form of the terrain and the possibility of those who may want to cause you harm. I would say prepare accordingly."

Kagor

Spoiler:

"You'll have to have your friends update you on the way there, for now, just trust that you are embarking on an adventure of epic proportions."

After he addresses everyone with their personal gifts, Father Michael pulls out the map and points to the tower ((see maps thread)).

"The best route is through this trail here," He looks up and points to what looks to be a worn down or barely used path heading up into the trees. "If you start now, you'll be there in two or three days time."

He looks at the group and smiles. "You will all do well, for that I am sure. May the blessing of the lord smile upon you, may he keep you safe. Good luck everyone."

He gives the map back to guy and pats him firmly on the shoulder.

The day is young. The air is still crisp and those in the surrounding village are busy with their morning chores. You notice that many stop to look at you. In there eyes you can see....hope. Hope for a better future, hope for a redeemed Agronon. The party then proceeds into the woods beginning this epic adventure.

((Everyone will be starting out on the trail unless anyone needs something before they begin. TS, your time is coming soon. I'll let you know.))

[ArcticFox]

Guy pauses to examine the map once more before rolling it up carefully and tucking it into his tunic. He always hated traveling west. The sun tended to be right in the eyes near dusk, a good time to be the victim of an ambush. Fortunately, the trees along their journey would provide some screening, but riding in the woods carried its own risks. Pausing for a moment, he makes his way over to CrimsonRose.

"Hello... I am given the impression that you might have some skill in detecting or avoiding threats, as in those who might seek to waylay us on the road?"

[ccgr]

We're all in this together and I realize that I may not be the strongest in the bunch but I have a keen sense of hearing and can sneak, climb and set or disarm traps pretty well. My skills can use some honing but I'll try my best to keep this party safe. Perhaps we can work well as a team in combat as well...someone can get the attention attention and I can quickly attack from behind to give us an edge.

[ArcticFox]

Guy ponders to consider this, and nods. "That is a good idea. Those of us who know our steel should do what we can to keep our foes focused on us, so that you will have the opportunity to strike at their flank. I was thinking, in the meantime, about our road. If we are to be traveling in the later part of the day we will be more vulnerable to attack by ambushers. Perhaps you would be willing to scout ahead of the party and find these threats?"

[ArchAngel]

Kratimos listens to the two chatter, but chooses to keep quiet. While the rogue and the man with map talk, he'll just keep an eye out for any natural hazards and to make sure they stay on course.

DC 15 for "Keep from getting lost or avoid natural hazards, such as quicksand."
[dice]1[/dice] <--second roll.
((Is this right? Or would you rather me wait for you to give the DC? I got this one from the srd))
[dice]0[/dice] <-- first roll that I accidently put a +16 on.

((EDIT: fathom... I made a mess...))

[fathom123]

TruthSeeker

Spoiler:

You wake up in the forest. The sun is beautiful on your face. You stand up from the forest floor. It's early morning. You remember what your mentor told you, "guide them to the tower, make sure they get there safe. These woods are no place for people who are not attuned to the wilderness."

You begin to make your way in the direction of the trail. You hike for several hours. There is something strange, something wrong. Nature is restless. You've seen several animals fleeing in the opposite direction. A few deer, then smaller animals like squirrels and rats. Then something unexpected. A large bear. It passes you without a second though. Something caused this large predator to flee.

You continue quickly but cautiously. Keeping in mind that a level head is what is needed as you approach this hidden threat.

You come upon a small humanoid figure, face down in the dirt next to some bushes. Judging by it's size, it seems to be a forest gnome.

The forest gnomes are allies with the druids. They help in the maintenance and general care for the forest. They are good hearted people.

You rush over to it's side, to see if it's OK. As you turn it's body over you reel back in horror as the gnome's face seems to have been completely devoured and all that remains is an exposed skull and torn flesh. You hear the sounds of flesh tearing coming from the other side of the bushes. You stand to your feet, ready your weapon. As you walk closer to the bushes, the sound stops. You now notice a smell, the smell of decay and death in the air. You remember this smell when you encountered the abomination.

"It cant be...." you say under your breath. As the creature stands, it's back to you you notice it is shirtless, missing chunks of flesh out of it's back and ribs. The creature turns around, a small dismembered arm held tightly in it's hand and its teeth sunk into it's flesh. It looks up and you and drops the arm. It's eyes, decaying and lifeless, lock to your own. It's teeth grind together, it drops the hand and begins to advance toward you.

[ccgr]

Sure, I can scout ahead.

((let me know when I need to roll dice etc.))

[ArcticFox]

Guy nods and smiles. "Thank you."

He turns to Kratimos. "Did you hear that? I think she's like us to keep our foes' attention away from her so that she can do her work. You look to me like you know how to use that weapon. I'd be honored to fight alongside you."

[ArchAngel]

Kratimos was unsure how to take the young paladin's statement. The paladins he met before had a very different stance.
"We'll see. You might not always feel this way."

[ironwizard]

"Eh? A quest? Well me 'ead's spinnin' and I have no idea what's goin' on, but I also have nothing better to do. And thar be no bad reason to bash 'eads in the name o' the Deep Lord!"

[Deepfreeze32]

Minather is mostly oblivious to the chatter of the rest of the party. At least, so it seems. He is going over his spellbook in an attempt to determine what to learn for the day.

((Is this the part where I start studying or do I need to do that elsewhere?))

[ArcticFox]

Guy pauses, not sure what to make of Kratimos' comment. After a moment of thought he looks up again. "I do not know what is in your past, or what it is about you that may change my view, and perhaps you're right when you say I will feel differently later." Guy shrugs. He can't speak to that which he doesn't know. "But what I know is that right now, this moment, you have committed yourself to a quest, a dangerous quest, to the good of those people who can't do it for themselves. What else matters at this moment? What else will matter in the heat of battle?"

[fathom123]

Crimson

Spoiler:

How far ahead are you? Are you within sight of the rest of the party or are you scouting further ahead?

[ccgr]

Spoiler:

ahead but I can still see them