Anywhere in particular though?
Much easier to ask about the person in the caravan than try to describe him in a town.
Between humans and mules, some 50 or so beings have passed you since you saw the guy. It would be pretty hard (but not impossible) to catch up with him before the next camp site. We’re almost single-file here.
The next camp site is on the other side of Guthe Ford. No doubt the caravan will slow down while preparing to cross.
That’s maybe 4 hours from now, and near nightfall.
No worries - we’re not in a rush.
We get the benefit of the caravan protection, plus time to chat to caravanners, plus knowing where this suspicious guy is.
Remember that you have a limited food supply. You might have to hunt, or just go hungry for a day or two.
I can attempt to hunt with my bow, right?
Yes you can, providing that game crosses your path. Getting it to cross your path is the hard part. There is an actual hunting skill that involves tracking and stalking. Koldanar probably has that skill.
I just read the hunting article. It’s very interesting.
Hunting does not really involve stalking game. Stealth and tracking are the primary skills used, as well as weapon skills, normally bow. An animal can be tracked by carefully studying its hoofprints and determining its habits. A track that hasn’t been washed out by a recent rain, or covered by dropped leaves, or walked on by bugs, or whatever, is usually fresher. Migratory, feeding, and sleep patterns can be deduced. A skillful hunter knows when a desirable animal might show up. With decent skill, a hunter can lie in wait and have a chance of spotting game once every four hours. He can then attempt to take it down at long range or use his stealth to close in on it.
Something as small as a rabbit can provide 2 man-days of food. And elk can provide 300.
Working as a team, you can probably survive for a while out in the wild, providing that you remain diners rather than dinners.
Pros and cons to following the caravan to Guthe Ford:
Follow the caravan:
-You may or may not be able to share in their food.
-You could gain useful information.
-You’ll probably catch up to glee’s nervous aquaintance, but he might slip off to somewhere unnoticed.
-You’ll lose a full day.
-You’ll have to retrace your steps without benefit of the group.
-You’ll have to hunt and forage.
-Someone else might recognize you. This could be good or bad.
-You’re already considered to be weirdo outsider barbarians. Can you improve that?
-There may be a chance that you’ll meet a party going towards Kaldor and you can band together with them. If they like you and don’t consider you hostile.
Continue on to Getha (or another village):
-You save time (and reliable food).
-These are dangerous parts, and you are a small party.
-Koldanar has made this journey several times, and knows where the danger zones are. Gargun, bandits, and fell beasts are the worst of your worries, but a small well-armed group could easily make it. You’re only a few days away from warm, safe beds.
-Who knows what kind of reception you’ll receive in civilized areas? Hailed as heros, killed on sight, or generally ignored?
-You’ll need cash, or something of value to trade. Tolls, beds, bribes, meals, ale, and hookers cost money.
-The answers you seek might be time-sensitive. Or they might not be.
Why, in the name of Larani, did you end up in a cave with no memories?
So…?
Continue on. I have survival skills which I would imagine would translate well into the hunting described earlier, we have weapon skills to take down prey. Food should be fine.
We need to get to civilization and find HOME. If home ends up being a bad thing because we’re all wanted as traitors, well thats just the chance we take.
Everyone OK with this?
BTW, today (and maybe small bits of tomorrow) will be the last I can play for about a week. Vacation, doncha know.
I was going to say the same in another couple days. I’ll be out of town starting next weds and back the following tuesday.
You’ll be back on the 12th? Me too. Actually, back on the 11th, but I have a social engagement after I take a looooong nap.
This doesn’t sound wonderful - we need 5 man-days of food daily and spotting something every 4 hours doesn’t sound good odds.
If we do catch a big animal (like an elk), we’ll attract other predators and scavengers…
my comments in blue
The thing is, you now have enough food to get to Naniom Bridge. Following the caravan means one extra day without food, unless you can share in meals. That’s something you might be able to, of course, but if not, you’ll have to hunt or forage.
Koldanar knows the safe places between here and Naniom, but nothing beyond it.
As far as whether a small or large party is safer – A small party is stealthier, attracts less attention, and can travel faster. A larger party is more intimidating and has more firepower.
OK, I’m back.
Welcome back…where were we?
We still needed to ultimately decide our route, and who we would / wouldn’t travel with (the caravan).
Alright chums, let’s do this! [/Leeroy Jenkins]
Shoot, still?
Ok, so my question is…is this party a democracy? Should we just put it to a simple vote? Glee makes some very good points about the benefits of traveling with the caravan, but ultimately my feeling is that they are heading away from where we want to go. My vote is for heading towards Getha. If we can travel with the Caravan part of the way so much the better, but I think they are heading away from there.
(Sorry, if my tone is a tad combative, I am playing mafia in another thread and it tends to get me a bit amped up. It isn’t intentional.)