All fair questions, glee.
OK- I am really done with this arguement. I’ll let Renee be [color=blue]Invisible if she wants and the party as a whole doesn’t object, and leave it at that.
My take on invisibility.
Deor, I can understand **Renee ** being invisible as she has no offensive attacks. I don’t understand why you need to be invisible as well, as we need your offensive spells. If you are intending to get into a position where you can use them, you also need to consider getting into a position where you can get away having cast your spells when you are not invisible.
Also note, that if you are hurt while invisible, we are unlikely to find you until Fang finds you, by which time it may be too late. If **Renee ** gets hurts, she can cure herself or Missy can find us.
If you want to be invisible, then you are responsible for keeping us aware of what you are going to be doing and for keeping yourself out of danger as we cannot protect what we cannot see. Same goes for **Renee ** as well.
On this final night of groups being together, as the argument runs over the invisibilities and mounts, Renee has one simple request, “Gil-Gandel, perhaps you could play once again that lovely song and while playing and calming the others, make the decision for us. As our chosen and accepted leader, I believe you must decide these debates so we can move on.”
She cannot help herself and adds one more debate point, “Deor has Folca to bring help to him if he goes down, indeed Folca is probably better able to get help then Missy.”
Consider the decision made. Invisibility has its uses, but it is not a cure-all.
Gil-Gandel sings the song again. Very glad you like it, I’ve never attempted a sestina before.
Well, I’m glad the decisions made.
Now we can look forward to getting a load of Orcs into trouble tomorrow.
It’s still an excellent song.
The party sets off in the morning.
Brin finds tracks by late morning leading into the mountains. They tracks are from the prior night and appear to belong to a small group of orcs, between 6-10.
You safely reach the steep path into the mountains and send off the mounts.
Gil-Gandel is on lookout and Brin scanning for tracks. If we choose to take advantage of Fang’s nose, he will need to move to the front. Renee also spends much time scanning the skies and distance. If and when given a chance, she is very curious about tracking.
This is the marching order to start at least. Where the valley allows it, going on foot. The terrain is surprisingly green, apparently the minor volcanic explosion was good for the local soil. We are not that far for the ruins of Barad-Dûr itself.
Folca on High guard 1000’ up
Brin Gil-Gandel
– 100’–
Mulligan
–30’–
Renee Missy Thoroncir
–30’–
Theogrim Deor
–20’–
Fang
–20’–
Gwaelur Ghân Brownie
–50’–
Moose
At times single file.
Folca on High guard 1000’ up
–100’–
Brin
–90’–
Gil-Gandel(silent)
–90’–
Mulligan
–20’–
Thoroncir
–10’–
Renee Missy
–20’–
Theogrim
–10’—
Deor
–20’–
Fang
–20’–
Ghân Brownie
–20’–
Gwaelur
–30’–
Moose
I propose that, unless we lose the trail, that Fang work with Ghan. He should still be able to be up a stench (as orcs don’t have scents).
As we have a trail to follow, I think Fang need not be at the front tracking by scent - but where he is he should catch an air-scent if the wind is favourable, enough to warn us of nearby enemies. That will be enough for now.
Marching order seems fine to me. I will be keeping an eye on Brin and Gil-Gandel up front to see if they spot anything of note and keep the rest of the part informed.
Sounds good- let’s go!
Ghân:
"I don’t mind sending Fang to the front just briefly to catch a scent, but he is well suited as a bodyguard for the casters, and will stay alongside me almost continually.
I gave 35 Goodberries to Prince Caramir, but (with thanks to Renee for her help) now have 395 :eek: in my Pouch of Preservation.
Note that only 8 can be used on one person in one combat.
I propose to give Deor 16 Goodberries to carry in his pouch (it’s not one of preservation, but at least they won’t get squashed.) That way he can heal himself and somebody nearby.
I have 41 herbal cures (which do 2hp each), and 18 darts with paralysing venom.
(Don’t trip me!)
SInce there are poisonous local predators, I’m loading Neutralise Poison. If you want a trap with Pyrotechnics, give me a day’s notice!
I’m sorry about the Invisibility saga. I just want the party to survive and do well.
Here are my spells for reference:
1st
Detect Magic
Entangle
Faerie Fire
Locate Animals
Speak to Animals
Purify Water
2nd
Barkskin
Cure Light Wounds
Goodberry
Heat Metal
Obscurement
3rd
Summon Insects
Neutralise Poison
**Brin ** is following the tracks and they lead to an area between the two peaks. You should be able to see the red dotted line on the map.
At this point, the freshest tracks split in three directions. One heads to the eastern mountain which looks rocky and difficult to ascend, one to the lower very green western mountain and one continues south along the valley. Using all his skill, he believes the most recent tracks actually split equally in all three direction, but there is now a good mix of additional older tracks that is quite confusing.
**Ghân ** discovers that nearly 400 berries fills about half his pouch and combined with his herbals, the pouch is full at this point.
No apology necessary! Glad we hashed out the pros and cons, after all. Where possible, and time permitting, we’ve worked well by consensus, and I hope we can continue to do so. Otherwise, I’m glad we have an experienced campaigner like Malacandra to make the final call.
Thoroncir will have his longbow in hand, but is ready to drop it immediately and draw his sword if the situation warrants. He’ll occasionally glance back (or over) to ensure that Renee is doing all right, and will help her as needed.
Can Gil-Gandel see anything useful far along any of the three trails?
If Brin requests it, both Fang and Ghân are happy to assist.
(Ghân can only track in woodland, which probably doesn’t apply here. Still he can translate for Fang.)
Ghân nods with satisfaction at his full pouch. He expects to use most of it once we meet Hunter-Killers!
[QUOTE=What Exit?]
You should be able to see the red dotted line on the map. Just barely! I hope the tracks are easier to find.
“There is much traffic here, old and new. Our tracks split in 3 directions. This one (pointing to the eastern mountain) I suggest we take last. If we need to retreat, we are very unlikely to retreat in that direction. I would suggest investigating the high ground (indicating west) before heading into the valley.”
Gwaelur has his xbow within easy reach durring the march, but carries his smaller axe on his person in case the group is attacked from behind.
(He feels impotent all the way in the back like this, but understands the rear guard is important. Gwaelur just wishes someone had asked him before placing him in the back of the lineup. He is a bit too proud to say anything though. It’s probably all the elf’s fault. He seemed to be a perfectly fine elf until the group put him in charge. Clearly leadership has gone to his head.)
The party begins the slow ascent up the gentler Western Mountain that is particularly green with brambles, brush, grasses and ivy and trees here and there. The path is also simple to follow as any trail the orcs use often, is beat down and littered. The party could go double up this slope, though each pair will be close. Thoroncir is often helping Renee. He does not appear displeased by this. Brin occasionally looks to be on the verge of tumbling, but always recovers. Deor needs help in several tricky spots from Theogrim and gets to return the favor once or twice. Ghân has few problem and Gwaelur looks as sure footed as the Elf or Hobbit on this ground. Moose just plods along, stopping occasionally to graze on particularly succulent plants of the trail. Mulligan also is lured off the trail for some springtime berries, especially overjoyed to find some early blueberries.
The party slowly ascends the hilltop as the afternoon wanes. The trail leads behind a rock outcropping.
If this:
means there’s a possible ambush site ahead where the trail goes out of sight, and there’s cover, this is our cue to halt and prepare to scout it thoroughly. That is a job mainly for Mulligan and myself.
Thank you for your work so far, Brin. Take a short breather; we could be very busy in a few minutes. If not - that’s a bonus, and we’ll be glad of it.
Also I’d value Gwaelur’s opinion on the rock outcropping itself - does it look like the kind of place where someone could start an avalanche and drop five hundred tons of Ash Mountain rubble on our heads? We have been trying not to be too conspicuous, but we must not forget that the prey has brains. Depending on Gwaelur’s answer, we may want Folca to overfly it, remembering to stay high.
Fang, anything being carried on the wind?
Well that sounds like my cue to make some sort of role or another. Gwaelur will carefully examine the rock face and relay everything he knows about it to the party. He will answer the specific questions asked and elaborate on anything else that might be relevant strategically to the party.
Gwaelur mutters out loud as he walks toward the rocks “Hmmm, well let me see now…” and trails off in thought.