Hunter's IC

[inexorabletruth]

Willem considers the offer...

"Are they trained? And if so, what tricks do they know? Can I expect them to handle battle well? 800 a piece is a lofty price. I could get a fully trained warhorse with saddle and gear for half the price you've just offered."

[Azoth]

The stablemaster looks to Willen and taps his hammer against his head. Ya a bit of a daft one...ain'tcha. 800 for the lot of 'em...not a piece. Ya know a horse a piece...well pony fer the overgrown lizard if'n he can climb up on it. I should add an extra 10 gold everytime someone says something stupid ta me...be richer than Gomst that way.

[inexorabletruth]

"In that case, I'll take one trained for combat riding, please, if you have one." He begins to count out some coins for his share of the expenses. "And some high energy feed please. We'll be covering a great distance, and I'd like to cover it quickly."

[Man on Fire]

"You know what? I have enough of your bull****." Baran steps towards stablemaster. "I'm trying to be nice, I throw joke or two. But I just want to buy a pony. yet you, for some reason, threat me with nothing but open contempt just because I'm a kobold, even calling me an overgrown lizard." He now stand in front of the dwarf, looking him straing in the eyes. "I did nothing to deserve such treatment from racist prick like you. So either we'll take this outside or I want you to know your damn role and shut your damn mouth." He looks the stablemaster right in the eyes, with calm, but proud look on his face.

[Azoth]

Vahanian chuckles to Baran. Know my role...I raise horses and sell 'em. Frankly, I don't care who you are if ya have coins, but threatening me isn't somethin I take kindly to. So ya can pay an extra 50 gold as an apology, or get the hell out and puy your little pony else where. Either way makes no nevermind me little one, but good luck keeping up with your friends on someone else's horse. So what is it gonna be?

[Man on Fire]

"Well I don't like being called overgrown lizard or being told to ride a cat. And quite frankly, as far as I'm concerned, you try to provoke me." Baran don't back down to the dwarf. " And I didn't threatened you either. I just offered we'll solve our differences like two civilized people, that is, with our fists. So how about you give me 50 gold discount as an apology and I will be nice enough to not spend following years telling every person I'll help, every villager I'll save, every rich I'll protect, every traveller I'll escort, every child I'll pat on the head to not buy from you? You think your little stable can take such blow to reputation?"

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Roll to intimidate (1d20+6)[9]
Sorry guys if I'm dragging this a bit

[Azoth]

Vahanian chuckles as he looks to Baran. I am not worried. Anyone worth doing business with here knows me and my horses. I do more than fine enough ta not have ta worry much. Though if I got more riled up than when ya waitin fer ya tail ta grow back...go ahead an swing. Won't a been the first ta try, nor the last ta do it. Just remember ma prices...and my mood. Could go up if ya embarrass ya self or keep wastin ma time.

[inexorabletruth]

Willem looks to the rest of the group with a pleading expression. "The thing I like about animals over humanoids... they bite less."

He looks back to the situation between the kobold and dwarf, uncertain as to how to proceed.

"Master dwarf, we're in a terrible rush, and I'm sure you're busy as well. We're on a personal errand for Sir Gomst Ancrath, and need horses to complete our journey expeditiously. I'm sure that his gratitude and growing rapport towards you, your services and the fine steeds you provide can help spread the name of your stable far and wide, since he is a man of rather notable influence."

He holds out his bag of coins, and starts counting out the platinum. "800 four ways is 200 a piece, but Baran is riding a pony. So, if we each pay 228 a piece, that leaves Baran to pay 116. A fair price, provided Master Vahanian provides Mister Dowan with a combat worthy warpony and saddle, wouldn't you all agree?"

Rollin':

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Bluff to deliver a silent plea for help to the rest of the group:
(1d20+1)[15] vs. Sense Motive

Diplomacy to Vahanian and Baran to try to calm the situation:
(1d20+4)[18] vs. Vahanian
(1d20+4)[12] vs. Baran
Any bonuses for name dropping and showing money? Any bonuses for using honorifics?

Diplomacy to get Baran a warpony for the asking price.
(1d20+4)[9] vs. Vahanian

[NotScaryBats]

"Yes, that suits me fine," Sister Judith says sedately.

[Eldariel]

"This is ridiculous!" Illyvion yells, sound of thunder crackling in the background emphasizing his words.

Spot DC 26

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Illyvion cast a spell using Concealed Casting.

Spellcraft DC 15

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Ghost Sound cast.

Intimidate - (1d20+5)[13]:
"We live surrounded by enemies, we're in a hurry to save a lass captured by some demi-humanoid scum and you find this the right time to start solving personal differences?!"

Diplomacy - (1d20+5)[10]:
"Master Vahanian, we are indeed in a hurry. We need Master Baran", Illyvion says gesturing at the kobold, "with us to save a young lady's life. Let this slide for now, you two, and let's take care of the more important matters first. You two will have plenty of time to deal with whatever personal differences you have later. Nobody is paying extra, here's my 20 platinum for my horse. I request nobody waste time with this nonsense anymore." Illyvion finishes, emphasizing the last words with some more crackling of thunder from behind him. He throws a small bag of gold with exactly 20 platinum at Vahanian.

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Rolls in the OOC thread, rolled beforehand since the Sleight of Hand determines the Spot DC and it was just awkward to write the post without knowing it.

3 Inspiration points expended, one for each skill check (daily Intimidate, Diplomacy, Sleight of Hand boosts expended).

[Azoth]

Vahanian jumps slightly at the sound of the thunderclap. His head whipping to the otherwise quiet man. What manner of demon was this lad?

Turning to look at the others he hefted a sigh and swiped up the coins from it. His other hand extended out towards Baran, Just missing yer coins and we can be free o' eachother.

Without turning he bellows behind him for a stable hand to fetch and saddle the horses for them. He was ready to have Illyvion be out of his shop so he could regain his nerve. Doesn't bode well for a dwarf ro be scared in nis own shop. Not one bit.

[Man on Fire]

"That's more that I would ever want right now." Baran grupes, but he hands off the coins to the dwarf.

[Azoth]

You get the horses and Baran's pony without further instances and saddle up for your journey. It will be a long treck through the woods especially without a guide. You have lost much of the morning light already and are taking off with the sun already to your back.

The woods loom ominously before you. Danger hidden behind every turn, and monsters craving human flesh await a meal from any who dare to enter their domain. Light may keep some at bay, but with darkness quickly approaching they begin to stir. You can already hear the sounds of battle and death eminating from deep within the wilds. A final warning to the races of man to retreat back to the safety of their homes.

It seems as if the woods are even more restless than normal to those that have spent time in the area. Something causing the beasts within to attack more feverently and maliciously than normal. Howls and groans echo off the trees as screams of death and pain pierce through clearly.

There will be no peace or safety found within. Only pain and death.

[NotScaryBats]

Sister Judith grits her teeth and turns to her companions, "do you know these woods well enough to guide us to specific rest stops, or are we traveling blind?"

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I suggest we go 'til nightfall and hole up someplace defensible, if possible.

[inexorabletruth]

"A good survivalist is only as lost as he wishes to be." Willem says coyly. Then chuckles and winks as he follows up with "Though I often do prefer to be lost."

He looks at his notes and various maps, then peers into the sky to orient himself. "Let me see..."

To figure out where we are and how to get where we're going:

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Knowledge (Geography): (1d20+9)[17]
Knowledge (Nature): (1d20+11)[26]
Survival: (1d20+7)[16]

[Man on Fire]

"I'm just gonna sit here and remind you that we were supposed to go back to our contract for the guide I asked for." Baran grupes riding in the back on his pony.

[Eldariel]

"Pardon all the trouble, Master Vahamian!" Illyvion quips as they leave with the horses, dismissing the spell after the little incident is solved.


Outside the town:
"Ah, do you have maps of the area, Willem? Care to let me see too?"

Provided it's agreed, Illyvion will help Willem plot the travel route:

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Survival Aid Another - (1d20+6)[10]
Knowledge (Nature) - (1d20+7)[19]
Knowledge (Geography) - (1d20+7)[27]

After the direction is figured out, Illyvion arms himself, a large combat scythe somehow appearing from underneath his robe, which he holds in one hand while riding.

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Pull the scythe out of Heward's Handy Haversack.
Illyvion's Ride modifier is +5 so he automatically succeeds at steering with legs.

[Azoth]

After a few minutes you find yourselves at the southermost edge of the forest on the maps. Taking the trade trail about a mile to the east on the map will let you skirt most of the forest by looping around it, but will take considerably longer than the trail you are on. This trail cuts through the hear of forest for about half your journey the splinters off into several other trails leading to various end of the forest. There are a few smaller paths denoted on the map that can lead towards the castle but none run straight to it. Considering the time spent since anyone actively mapped the forest these trails could be over run with growth or blocked by creature settlements. None of it is certain, but gives you a good general path to plot by. All in all, the dangerous path will save you considerable time if it is accurate, but the safe path is better documented if taking longer.

[NotScaryBats]

"Time is of the essence; do you think we will save time with the shortcut, or should we stick to the certain path? For what it's worth, I would favor the known path, rather than possibly waste time chasing old routes and uncertain paths - but I shall leave the ultimate decision to the experts."

[Man on Fire]

"If they wanted to do anything to the girl, they did so already." Baran points out. "I say we play it safe and go normal route."

[inexorabletruth]

Willem's eyes sparkle at the promise of adventure to be found in the woods. "Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, and sorry I could not travel both..." His expression is both inscrutable and ambivalent as he tugs at his beard.

"It is probably the wiser choice to take the safe way around. It is my belief that we four possess the talent to save the time on the quicker path, but my opinion is tainted by my lust for roads untravelled..."

He alternates pointing at one road then at another while muttering a children's poem under his breath. His face droops into one of minor disappointment as his pointer finger stops on the safe road at the end of his poem. "I... I suppose my vote is for the safer route."

[Eldariel]

"My kind once called the woods home. I do not fear them nor what lurks within. This group possesses the competence to navigate the path with ease and we can deal with what we face. Any time spent in the wilderness is dangerous; the fastest route may well be the safest.

I don't think we know enough to spend any more time than necessary; how long will our enemies keep the lass alive? Will our enemies stay at the castle or move on? Will the trail grow cold?" Illyvion says with slight worry in his voice.

He sighs. "My vote is for the fast route. It seems to mesh with our goals the best. That said, that's three against one. Assuming none of you are swayed, that stands as our decision. So how is it? Either way, we should depart at once."

[NotScaryBats]

"Could we not push the horses harder on a smooth, wide road? I still think we serve the girl better by taking the certain choice." Sister Judith considers the other option, then shakes her head, believing the safe route is best in this instance.

[inexorabletruth]

Never a fond friend of squabbling, Willem turns his horse toward the safer path. "It is decided then. The majority wants the safer road, so the safer road we should take. But let us depart at once, as Illyvion has suggested. If we are to take the longer path, then we should be on it quickly. A child waits to be rescued."

With that he kicks his heels and shouts "HA!" and the horse gallops off toward the safer path. "So many wonders..." he sighs under his breath as he thinks about the possibilities the woods present. Not willing to show his disappointment at taking the safer road, however, he doesn't hazard looking back to see if the group follows, lest they see it on his face.

[Eldariel]

"Very well then. Let us hope we won't be too late." Illyvion bows slightly, throws his hood back on, jumps on his horse and mounts his horse.

[Azoth]

The group travels for several hors in rather uniterupted peace. Thw wind blows a gentle breeze that is tainted with the smell of rot and blood, but is otherwise pleasant enough. As the sun begins to make its way towards the horizon and the sky darkensm the pleasant breeze begins to grow unusually cold. The kind of cold where even the faintest breath shows as a puff of steam. Definitely out of the norm for this time of year.

As you see a bend up ahead you notice the chill is getting worse the closer you draw to it.

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I need spot checks with your next posts

[Eldariel]

The unusual coldness immediately makes Illyvion wary: "...undead, elementals or black magic. On your guard!"

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Spot - (1d20+10)[15]
Listen - (1d20+7)[9]

[NotScaryBats]

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spot (1d20+3)[7](10)
listen (1d20+5)[9](14)
If initiative is rolled, everyone remember that I add +3 to initiative to all of you within 60 feet.

[Man on Fire]

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Spot (1d20)[17], Listen (1d20)[10]

Baran readies his crossbow.

[inexorabletruth]

Willem pulls his cowl low shivers a bit. His eyes narrow with Illyvion's proclamation.

Spot: (1d20)[12]
Listen: (1d20)[17]

Knowledge Nature: (1d20+11)[14]

(to see if there's a scientific answer for this seemingly magical shift in temperature)

Knowledge Arcana: (1d20+9)[24]

(looking for ancient myseteries, arcane symbols, or indications of the presence of magic beasts)

Spellcraft: (1d20+6)[12]

(to identify a spell that's already in place: DC 20+ Spell Level)