Camping Trip IC

[Quxelopqr]

After gathering up your camping gear, a brisk walk for a few hours is all it takes to get from your humble village of Havenmill to the lush forests of Eastnesse. The skies are clear and it is a bright summer day. Apon arriving to the forest's edge in the afternoon, you notice the forest is an inviting green color and the sun shines through the breaks in the branches. There is a beaten path leading into the forest nearby where you are standing.

(If there is anything you'd like to do in town first, then this hasn't happened yet)

[The Cats]

Fwoosh. This is going to be some hike. Cauis thought to himself, though he'd never voice his complaints out loud for fear of ridicule. Nonetheless, he was glad he had decided to go on this trip. A few days in the woods would be just the thing to calm his mind. Well, he addressed his three companions, I suppose we'd better head off. We'll want to find a good place to set up camp by nightfall.

[Kantolin]

The sun danced along his skin.

Now, Rexob Seide knew that his father was significantly debilated by the sun. The soft rays were pleasant and relaxing to most in the town - humans saw the sun as a new beginning, a cheerful start to a new day.

Seide learned, however, that the sun caused his father's skin to shift a bit, warp almost unnoticably. Odds were, nobody else in town realized how uncomfortable it was, and his father spent a lot of time outdoors. According to his father, the sun was reminding him of things he'd done that he wasn't proud of, and keeping him humble.

For Seide, the sun wasn't nearly that harsh - but it was a bit discomforting - perhaps a gift he'd inherited from his father. But this was going to be a great day, and the half-orc was energetic and happy.

Being a tailor's son had its perks - he had a thick, sturdy, slightly oversized backpack which he carried with the ease of a child carrying an empty sack. He'd insisted on carrying as much of everyone's supplies as they'd permit - he was always eager to help, and his tremendous strength was his one big gift that he could use to help people in the town.

It also helped his attire, as it was of fairly good quality - nothing fancy, but sturdy. As it was summer, he wore a brown vest which he kept unbuttoned and open. The other piece of his attire was shorts - shorts which were a dark blue color, with light blue vertical stripes on either end marking the seams. The shorts seem a bit too large for him, as he prefers them a tat baggy, and they extend down to just above his knees, and the button in the front keeps the fly closed (I suppose nowdays, we would call them boxers and not shorts, despite the two large pockets within).

He remembered his father giving him a few reminders on what to do out in the woods. It was more warning than he usually gave as Seide did things, but Seide was more excited than normal about this - the feeling of inclusion was pleasant, thus he wrote off his father's worry as nothing.

The tall, muscular half-orc ensured that his pace matched those of his fellows as they walked, reaching the entrance to the forest in what felt like no time. His fairly keen ears shifted as Caius spoke, and he nodded, speaking up.

"Dere should - "

He swallowed, shifting his voice - he always checked his voice when he was away from home, especially when talking to the other guys. "I was told that clearings tend to show up near streams and rivers. We should keep an eye out for those."

His ears burned a bit red as he stopped talking, still a bit self-conscious.

[TehJhu]

Allen walked along with the other quietly. He was wearing his brown workshirt with the sleeves cut off and the throat cut open, and his pants that'd become a bit to short for him since he hit his growth spurt a few years back. He could have bought new clothes with the bit of money he had stashed at the bottom of his rickety old pack, but his mom had always told him to take care of the money he had. Frankly, he felt sort of bad about buying things for this trip.

Allen's hair was hidden under his wide-brimed leather hat, his most prized possesion. It cast a dark shadow over his eyes and the back of his neck, making him look every inch a country bumpkin. He completed this look by putting a long green bit of grass in his mouth and chewing on it contentedly.

He wasn't very good friends with these other three, and was intimidated by all of them. They were men who could think, even the half-orc. And Mr. Byrnes could actually cast magic. All in all, Allen couldn't imagine why they wanted a clod-hopper like him around. Still, he wasn't going to complain. A few days away from the backbreaking work of harvest would do him good.

Allen hears Mr. Byrnes and Mr. Seide talk about finding a place to camp, a sentiment he agrees with. However, he has no real woodscraft and so he dosn't want to speak up. Still, he dosn't want to be withdrawn and so he simply offers up, "Ah reckon'," in a quiet voice, the bit of grass bobbing with his lips.

[Solo]

Byrnes cracked his neck and shouldered his backpack and descended a hill, casually murmuring the supreme word of human philosophy:

Perhaps.

[Quxelopqr]

It doesn't take very long for you all to find a small clearing in the forest. The clearing is decently sized, with a convenient brook bubbling over the eastern edge of it. The western side is hedged in with bushes, most of which seem to be carrying a red berry. The trees are up above you and their branches and leaves make a nice shady area.

[TehJhu]

Allen looked around the clearing. It seemed like a nice place, but he didn't dare open his mouth to suggest stopping, instead he slowed his pace and chewed slowly on his grass, wactching to see what the others would do.

[Solo]

Byrnes stops in the middle of the clearing.

Convenient, is it not?

[The Cats]

Ok, so not that long.
Outloud, Cauis said; Looks like a great place to set up camp. Who brought the tent?

[Kantolin]

Seide nodded. "Looks real good! Nice stream'n everything. Er, and everything."

He removed his pack, placing it down a little close to the brook. "I did not bring a tent, but I've got an extra bedroll if anyone would like to use it."

[Solo]

Ok, so not that long.
Outloud, Cauis said; Looks like a great place to set up camp. Who brought the tent?

I do not believe we had enough money to buy a tent when we first set out.

[TehJhu]

"Ah was nevah really one ta mahnd sleepin' out unner th' stahs." Allen said, his drawl more obvious than ever. He knelt down and took out his patched bedroll, he'd had it almost as long as the old leather bag he carried it in, using it to serve as a mattress in whatever bunkhouse or barn he was sleeping in while working.

"Ah reckon mebbe we'd staht a fiah now?"

[Solo]

Byrnes gathers a few branches and stacks them on the ground. He takes one and rubs it between his fingers, causing it to smoke and catch on fire after a while.

How's this?

[TehJhu]

Allen raises his eyebrows and whistles at Byrne's example of arcane might. Once the fire is lit, the farmhand lays his roll down in a spot of flat ground and lays back, putting his hat on his chest and crossing his arms behind his head, looking up at the sky and enjoying the peace.

[Quxelopqr]

The crackle of the fire goes on as Allen looks up into the branches of the trees. After a while, maybe an hour or so, the forest dims slightly, letting you know dusk has arrived.

Around this time, there is a rustling in a nearby bush. The bush isn't shaking violently, but is moving enough to let you believe that there might be something in it.

[Solo]

I believe the bush is trying to communicate with us.

[The Cats]

Looks like we won't have to trouble finding dinner guys! Cauis slowly moves towards the bush, sling at the ready, looking out for any sign of rabbit, squirrel or other woodland critter.

[Solo]

Or is dinner finding us?

[Quxelopqr]

As Caius moves towards the bush, a rabbit jumps out and attempts to run away from him.
rabbit's initiative: [roll0]

[The Cats]

Nope! We're finding dinner!

Cauis's Initiative: [roll0]

[The Cats]

Quickly slipping a bullet into his sling, Cauis gives it a few good twirls before loosing the projectile at the retreating meal.

Attack roll: [roll0]
Damage if hit: [roll1]

[Solo]

Tasty. A stew then, I take it?

[The Cats]

Well I guess that depends. Did anybody bring a pot?

[Solo]

Skin it, stretch the skin over the fire, and use skin as a makeshift pot?

[Quxelopqr]

Between the four of you you are able to skin the rabbit and use it as a pot, allowing you to eat a nice hot meal. The water from the brook is cold and clean, and washes the rabbit down nicely.

Around now it's getting late. Would you like to do anything else or turn in early?

[Solo]

Today has been invigorating and eventful. Forgive me, but I shall now be meditating. Thank you for the meal, Cauis. Good night to you all.

Byrnes sits at the foot of a tree and enters into a state of deep meditation for the rest of the night.

(Mechanically, sleeping)

[The Cats]

Letting loose a mighty yawn, Cauis, slayer of rabbits, laid out his bedroll! G'night all. And Cauis Bergmann, slayer of rabbits, provider of hearty meals and all around pretty nice guy slept.

[TehJhu]

Allen applauded Mr. Bergmann's skill with his sling and enjoys the rabbit meat, something about the setting and having cooked it themselves makes the meat taste all the sweeter.

After washing his hands and helping clean up, Allen lays back on his bedroll, slides his hat over his eyes, and gradually falls asleep.

[Kantolin]

Seide had stepped towards the brook, looking at the moving water.

It was actually a bit relaxing. Kneeling, he poked one hand into the water, as his fairly keen, oversized, batlike ears shifted towards the sound.

No sooner had he turned, however, than he noted Caius had already, in fact, pelted the rabbit. He blinked in surprise - whenever he'd attempted to use a sling, he usually would hit about anything in the area that wasn't his target.

"Hey, great shot!" He complimented.

When the meal had been eaten, he made sure the campfire was controlled, and stayed up a bit tending to it - just busywork, but not something he minded doing.

He stayed up a little bit later than the rest, a bit comforted by the relative darkness that his eyes could pierce through. His ears shifted back and forth stoically, listening to the sound of the water in the stream.

Gradually, he too fell asleep, putting his vest into his pack and sleeping in his shorts.

[Quxelopqr]

((Kantolin, can you give me a listen/spot check? Everyone else can as well, they'll just be at a penalty.))

[Solo]

Listen [roll0]

[Kantolin]

Listen:

[roll0]

Spot:

[roll1]

[The Cats]

Listen: [roll0]
Spot: [roll1]

[TehJhu]

[roll0]

[roll1]

[Quxelopqr]

Sitting beside the fire as the rest of you laid down, Seide hears a brushing noise, like something or someone walking nearby through the bushes. He doesn't see anything though, it's just too dark. Robert barely hears it through his sleep, and wakes up, although he doesn't see it either since he just woke up. Allen and Caius are still sleeping.

[Kantolin]

"Hmm?"

Seide's eyes opened, groggily, as his mind jolted into being awake.

According to his father, that was an instinctive reflex - orcs had to live with the reality of potentially being attacked at any moment, so his habit of waking up whenever something influenced his sleep was an orcish habit. Apparantly, orcs tended to toggle from deep sleep to awake, with little in between.

Simultaneously, he yawned, his long tongue lolling out of his mouth. He sat up, hazily glancing in the direction he'd heard the noise. He smacked his lips - probably a rabbit.

Admittedly, the previous rabbit was quite good and wasn't quite filling enough, but he was a bit too worn out to bother searching for a second rabbit. But as he was now awake, he just remained where he was, sitting a bit tiredly, watching the area he'd heard the noise from in hopes that he'd see the rabbit before falling asleep again.

[Solo]

Something is afoot.

Byrnes casts Light on a stone near the tree.

[Quxelopqr]

As light emits from the stone, Seide and Robert can see two short figures. They appear shocked at the light, and then rush into the bushes.

[Kantolin]

Seide hazily blinked for a moment as the light illuminated that dull area.

It actually took a moment for what he'd seen to cut through the haze.

"Hwa?" He jerked up. Whomever it was had clearly seen them, so no sense putzing around. "Who's there?" He called out, loudly - if that didn't wake up the others, he'd nudge them.

[TehJhu]

(If I've woken up yet)

Allen jerks awake, pulling his hat off his face and looking around frantically, not remembering where he is at first. Once he remembers why he's outside, he calms down a little and asks, "Why's the rocks glowin'?"

[Solo]

We have an unidentified presence.

Seide, let us investigate this.

Byrnes throws the rock into the bushes the two figures vanished into and walks forward.

[Quxelopqr]

The rock glows ahead after Robert throws it, but the two figures don't turn around this time; they're too busy running away. They don't answer Seide's call. They seem to be heading into some thicker brush then you've yet seen in the forest.

[Solo]

Something is up. Who is for investigating?

[TehJhu]

Allen stands up and straighens his hat.

"Ah reckon Ah could take a look-see." He says and starts to walk towards the bushes, not trying to be stealthy.

[Solo]

After them. And pick up the rock.

Byrnes draws his quarterstaff and advances cautiously.

[Quxelopqr]

Caius offers to watch the camp for awhile while the rest of you go after the things you saw.

After about a five minute walk through the deeper brush you come across what looks like a hole in the ground. There are some branches and leaves scattered around it, and you catch the faint flicker of light coming from down it.

[TehJhu]

Allen scratches his head under his hat and looks at Mr. Byrnes.

"Whatta ya reckon, Mr. Brynes?"

[Solo]

Byrnes drops the lighted rock down the hole.

Look down.

[Kantolin]

A little ahead of Brynes, Seide glanced down the hole - his eyes could pierce darkness to a point, and he hoped that would get him a little insight into what was going on.

[Quxelopqr]

The rock falls about fifteen feet down and lands on dirt. There is a ladder laying on the ground below, it looks like whatever went down this hole didn't want you to follow. You also see what looks like an old vine from a tree at the bottom of the hole.

[TehJhu]

"Reckin we could make it down there?" Allen was a bit scared, but also sort of excited. He looked around as he spoke to see if there was anything he could use as a rope or something.

[Solo]

We shall find out in short order.

Byrnes takes out his 50 ft hemp rope, ties it to the tree, and offers the other end to Seide.

Good luck.

[Kantolin]

Seide paused, for a moment.

Sure, he'd only seen them for a moment, but those weren't rabbits he'd seen - they were people-shaped.

At the same time, they'd run away - and he was a bit curious as to who they were. Also, others seemed a bit curious as well - and if something did go wrong, he'd prefer it happen to him and not another.

Thus, still a bit hesitantly, he tugged on the rope to see if it was tight, then nodded. "Alright." He said simply, as he headed down the hole.

[Quxelopqr]

After getting to the bottom of the hole, Seide sees that he is in a small room. What looks like a doorway to the north is partially blocked by a decent sized rock that looks like it was rolled there very recently. Seide estimates that he could move it without a problem. The ladder still lays on the ground.

[TehJhu]

Allen licked his lips and followed Mr. Seide down into the hole. He landed somewhat clumsily next to the half-orc and bent over to pick up the glowing rock after settling his hat back on his head. He looked up at Mr. Seide.

"Well, ain't this a pickle?"

[Solo]

Byrnes climbs down with them.

It would be a shame to turn back now. Guess we'll have to go on.

[The Cats]

Cauis woke up back at the camp due to one of man's most primal urges: He had to pee really, really badly. In his half-asleep stumbling, he found that his friends were no longer on their rolls. (This was discovered due to the fact that he didn't actually kick anyone n his stumblings.) Wandering into the woods to find a good place to relieve himself, Cauis found a deep hole. Without bothering to see what was making the glowy light down there, (Still being half asleep and all) Cauis unzipped and aahhhhhh...

[Solo]

Emperor's Unfortunately Placed Outhouse! Byrnes curses.

Hold yourself, Cauis!

[The Cats]

Yikes! Oh jeez, what're you guys doing down there!?

[Kantolin]

Seide glanced at the rock, judging it and exhaling.

The only thing he could do was be strong - and the ability to help his friends with that strength was something he relished. He exhaled, just glad he could help.

"I'm pretty sure I can get this. One moment."

He placed both hands against the rock, bracing himself for a moment, then grasping the rock firmly. Grunting a bit, he applied his strength to move it.

[Quxelopqr]

Seide manages to push the boulder to the side without too much effort, revealing two frightened looking small green skinned men in a slightly larger room. They look up at the four of you, holding up clubs in an attempt to be menacing that fails miserably.

"Humans go away! Or end up like them!" cries one of them in surprisingly decent common, pointing to the corner of the room, which looks have been hollowed out by a much bigger animal. In the corner of the room lie two motionless human bodies.

[Solo]

I have a counter offer. Tell us what is going up or end up like them.

Byrnes points to the same bodies as the goblins for emphasis.

[Quxelopqr]

The goblins look scared for a few seconds and it almost seems like they're going to drop their clubs, but then one points behind you and they both start to laugh.

Coming down the rope you used is a slightly larger goblin who you can only assume is their leader.

[Solo]

Ah, the goblin leader I presume?

[TehJhu]

Allen's eyes go wide at the sight of the two goblins, and seeing a larger monster climbing down into the hole nearly causes panic. He backs towards the wall of the hole, eyeing the still forms on the ground and trying to decide if they're dead or just unconcious. He also reaches into his pocket for the old strap of leather he used as a sling.

[Quxelopqr]

Allen can see that one of the bodies is merely unconscious, but the other one isn't breathing.

The large goblin sneers to Robert. "Hah, little human think he can steal my treasure? Why you come here?"

[Kantolin]

Seide, also, had been astonished by actually seeing them this close.

Since among other things... he hadn't expected them to be afraid - not this afraid.

Now, he was also worried for his safety - that and, perhaps more importantly, the safety of his friends - but these...

And he noted them perk up, as the larger goblin stepped forward. Turning, he spoke up.

"We's not 'ere t'take nothin'!"

He gritted his teeth as the words left his mouth. Recovering a bit, he continued a bit more clearly, "We do not want to cause any trouble, sir. We just noticed we were being watched."

[TehJhu]

Allen grits his teeth as he realizes one of the humans was alive. These monsters had murdered someone and were talking about treasure!

Allen knew he was no adventurer, and that he wasn't very clever or able to think around corners, but his mama had raised him proper, by Pelor, and he wasn't going to let this person suffer anymore than they had. He straightens his hat on his head and walks towards the prone figure who's still alive.

Glaring at the two goblins there he speaks with quiet anger, "You two fellahs need to step away from this fellah, otherwise I might've to pop ye one."

[spoiler] Just for the hell of it:
[roll0]

Allen watches them to see if they try to stop him, if not, he will do his best to pick up the unconcious person (unless they are obviously in danger of death from being moved) and carry them towards the hole and ladder.

[The Cats]

Getting no answer to his query, Cauis finished relieving himself on a nearby tree and rappelled down into the hole. ((Assuming the rope is still tied up)) Quickly catching up with the rest of his party, he was getting himself all worked up for a tirade. First you leave without waking me, then y- Taking in the scene before him, Cauis was struck dumb, a little o of surprise on his face.

[Quxelopqr]

The goblins move closer to Allen, trying to block off any means of escape from him.

The big goblin reels a bit from Seide's outburst, and is surprised when Cauis comes down the rope as well, seeing that now his goblins are outnumbered. "Big human say you no want treasure, but Hat human try to take treasure away! Loktak be mad if treasure gets away! Leave treasure alone!" The goblin's speech is wavering a little, and his understanding of the common tongue seems to be dwindling as fear gets the better of him.

[Solo]

We're not here for treasure, we're here because something woke us up tonight.

So who were the bodies?

[TehJhu]

Allen narrows his eyes, "Livin' people ain't treasure, Mister, now let us out of this hole before things get personal!"

[Kantolin]

Seide tensed. "We are not here for any treasure."

He heard Allen's anger - but, honestly, he didn't want to have to fight.

And the idea of his own well-being hadn't actually come into his mind. These creatures were acting out of fear - it didn't feel like malice. He'd seen the fearful look a dozen times beforehand.

But at the same time, there were two other victims here. And he wished for the goblins to not cause further victims.

"You said Loktak. Who is Loktak?" He asked.

[Quxelopqr]

The goblin says "Loktak boss. Bodies for Loktak. Loktak say 'grab two people wearing red sashes.' Leave bodies here and we get treasure." Allen notices that the two bodies do have red sashes on them, with a yellow symbol on the sashes (knowledge religion/nobility to recognize it).

[Solo]

K. Nob. [roll0]

K. Relig. [roll1]

[Kantolin]

((Messed up on syntax on this post, please ignore))

Both knowledges are untrained, and intmod is +0, so...

Nobility:

[roll0]

Religion:

[roll1]

[Kantolin]

That didn't work. Hrm, one more time, same order.

[roll0] - Nobility
[roll1] - Religion

[Quxelopqr]

Seide and Allen recognize the yellow to be the holy symbol of Pelor, a bold lion's face that stands out on the red sash.

[Solo]

So, I think the question of who the bodies are has yet to be answered?

[Kantolin]

Seide just stared at the goblins for a time, clenching and unclenching his fists.

Fury entered his voice as he simply watched the goblins, unable to keep his voice to normal. "So... y'mean y'decided t'kill two people - two people dat didn't do nothin' t'ya - just 'cause y'wanted treasure? For money?"

He shifted his head to one side, glaring at the pair. "...guess I'z wrong. Yer just scared 'cause yer 'fraid we's gonna deliver justice to the lot'o ya - just as ya deserve."

He licked his tusks, checking himself. His was not mindless fury, he simply wanted to do the right thing - and there was one more thing he needed to learn. "...where'n'what's Loktak?" He kept his voice somewhat level as he spoke.