Episode 1: On the Hunt (Group B)

[Durak]

Perception 1d100: [72] = 72 vs 53%
JIC 1d100: [34] = 34 1d20: [6] = 6

Durak says his piece inquiring where the survivors are presently located but Thom seems to have little further to share,"I do not know where they presently are, if any were injured, their races, heights, favorite colors, or how they are feeling emotionally ... really it feels like you think the Collectors get a nice thick surveillance report and all they have to do is go demand return of goods. That's hardly the case, we get a sliver of info and have to go out and investigate. I have never had any illusions about walking up and demanding return of the goods. Odds are this is a steal-back situation."

Durak nods, having expected some of what Thom has to say.

"Figured violence and stealth were the order of the day. Guessing the first thing we have to do is find the survivors. Anything they know will be useful."

Durak positions his hand, ready to summon Stonebiter in case of trouble, but otherwise sits on the wagon watching the horses chew the grass and Trask talk to the homesteader. If he needs somebody to do the bartering, Trask will call for us.

"Do you guys see him? Is it going well?"

"Well, the dogs haven't been set on him, so that's a good start!" Durak replies, a slight bit of mirth in his voice as he realises Tindish can't see and decides to play with him, "of course, I was not expecting the Troll though."

[Tindish]

Perception: 1d100: [60] = 60 vs 30% +25% vs Concealment, Camouflage, & Palming (skills) & vs non-magic/psionic illusions
JIC: 1d20: [8] = 8 and 1d100: [74] = 74

Theron nods. "Barely, it is difficult to see so far, but it seems as though there is a stand-off of some sort." Theron remarks, not able to see much else from atop of Gault. "Doesn't seem to be hostile, just cautious. Let's keep here, no need to spook them, unless Trask comes under fire. I would not like to be forced to kill an innocent."

Tindish taken back by the innocent comment adds, "Well, they likely aren't innocent if they attack Trask." And definitely not aware of the largess and magnitude or power he and the Trask Gang hold. Tindish crinkles his nose, There is that word. Gang. Maybe we do have to do something about that. He shakes off the thought, holding it for a campfire discussion.

"Well, the dogs haven't been set on him, so that's a good start!" Durak replies, a slight bit of mirth in his voice as he realises Tindish can't see and decides to play with him, "of course, I was not expecting the Troll though."

"Troll?!!" Tindish exclaims loudly, then pulls his voice back to a whisper, "Troll? Should we devise a plan? Does it look hungry?" Tindish pats his pony comfortingly, "Don't worry Zynn, we will not be eaten by a troll today." He gazes back in the general direction Trask started off, "Not today Troll, Not today." Then asks the group excitedly, "So what's the plan?"

[Bonk Boree]

Perception: 1d100<51: [5*] = 1
JIC: 1d20: [3] = 3 / 1d100: [77] = 77

Trask confirms, "One well placed ambush and that could be any amount of people. I would guess forty plus individuals involved unless they had mages against them, then it could be much less. So yeah, I agree with Ol'Thom, not enough info to build any real plan with."

Bonk shrugs. "So 'no plan' is definite plan for time being..." he grins. "If memory serves, Trask Gang was outnumbered at orc stronghold too. Ambushes do not need large numbers for large effects."

Bonk nods at Trask's instructions and when he announces Garick's in charge he even gives the mule a grin and a salute. "Shout if backup is needed..." he says to Trask. No, random farm person, there's absolutely nothing funny going on here. Pay no attention to the dwarf, kobold and ogre taking battle orders from a fully deputized mule while the gnome tries to disavow knowing anyone in the group. He laughs to himself at his internal joke (he's always had to largely amuse himself, so by now he's used to his sense of humor) and even gives a friendly wave to anyone at the house who might look in their general direction.

"Do you guys see him? Is it going well?"

"Well, the dogs haven't been set on him, so that's a good start!" Durak replies, a slight bit of mirth in his voice as he realises Tindish can't see and decides to play with him, "of course, I was not expecting the Troll though."

For a moment Bonk is confused... What troll? I can't see any-- oh, I get it. He shrugs. "Hm. Rather puny looking though. May have been runt of litter. Trask is probably trying not to laugh out of pity." He tries to keep from laughing himself, but if it appears Tindish is getting overly upset he'll give his friend a wink and a grin when he thinks Durak isn't looking.

[Ya-Blik]

Conditions:
Date: 19 May, 345
Time: 1430
Environment: Warm
Location: Not Llorn … Woods Somewhere nearish to Kaash (?)

---

Trask calls up to the voice on the porch, "Well sir, I'm Tolliver Trask, mercenary out of Llorn. I'm traveling with my companions to do a job in the Greenbough area. Some bandits raided a caravan of medical supplies destined for some place. I was really coming to see if you had any foodstuffs to sell and maybe if you had heard anything about the Band of the Blue hand. Or hell just some info on the area at large would be appreciated."

After a moment, a series of a staccato whistles pierce the air before a small man carrying a woodsman's axe steps out smiling.
He is followed by an orc who nearly fills the doorway. The man offers a small wave even as the rest of the Trask Gang begin to approach, "Hello Tolliver, I'm Nedd. This is Beant. Llorn is a long way off. Matter of fact so is Greenbough ... that's past the Uttawa River, past Erm or Barleydale depending on if you tend north or south. The Uttawa is an offshoot of the Great River. It is, maybe couple days ride but it can be rough in areas, there is a bridge or you can hire one of the ferrys. After the Uttawa and the towns on its banks, there's a trading city called Harvest about 80-90 miles to the east which is the farthest I have been, but I know a ranger Benny he mentioned going through Greenbough on a trip out to Southwatch. Have not heard about any Band of the Blue Hand myself, but most small bandit crews have a pretty small range ... As for food, yeah we probably have some stores we can part with."

Available

[*] 40 Lbs Smoked Fish (140 gp)
[*] 4 Gallons -- Rum (120 gp)
[*] 20 Lbs Oats (20 gp)
[*] 2 Lbs Sugar (10 gp)
[*] 50 Lbs Oats [Animal Feed] (20 gp)

The group begins to discuss the need to prepare for facing a troll based upon a joke by Durak and Bonk on the nearsighted Tindish. After whatever purchases that the group wish to make, the team can quite easily take a road to the east out of the valley.


Butcher's Bill:
Bonk:
Theron: -1 Crossbow bolt


What are you doing?

[Tolliver Trask]

Perception: 1d100: [99] = 99 /65%
Just in Case: 1d20: [20] = 20 ; 1d100: [7] = 7
Conditions: Sixth Sense, Resistant to Cold, Invisible Armor.

"Hello Tolliver, I'm Nedd. This is Beant. Llorn is a long way off. Matter of fact so is Greenbough ... that's past the Uttawa River, past Erm or Barleydale depending on if you tend north or south. The Uttawa is an offshoot of the Great River. It is, maybe couple days ride but it can be rough in areas, there is a bridge or you can hire one of the ferrys. After the Uttawa and the towns on its banks, there's a trading city called Harvest about 80-90 miles to the east which is the farthest I have been, but I know a ranger Benny he mentioned going through Greenbough on a trip out to Southwatch. Have not heard about any Band of the Blue Hand myself, but most small bandit crews have a pretty small range ... As for food, yeah we probably have some stores we can part with."

Trask nods at the farmers information. "That was most helpful good sir." Trask says while perusing what the man has to sell. "I'll be honest my group is eclectic and eats like horses, so I'll take it all. Plus a bit more for the information." Trask says with a smile.

Will pay the farmer 400 gp

Once the coin has exchanged hands, Trask will nod again. "My thanks again, we'll be out of your hair in a few minutes then." Trask says as he starts carrying some of the items back to the wagon. One or two more trips back and forth he'll finish depositing it all into Durak's cart.

"There is a bridge a couple of days ride from here, the farmer says we can get a ferry there, and that should cut some time off of our trip." Trask says with a pause. "So let's get a move on it and I'll relay the rest of what he told me." Trask says as he grabs the lead for Garrick and continues to move forward, with much the same plan as before, of camping when needed, and generally keeping moving unless something happens.

[Tindish]

Perception: 1d100: [26] = 26 vs 30% +25% vs Concealment, Camouflage, & Palming (skills) & vs non-magic/psionic illusions
JIC: 1d20: [14] = 14 and 1d100: [92] = 92

"There is a bridge a couple of days ride from here, the farmer says we can get a ferry there, and that should cut some time off of our trip." Trask says with a pause. "So let's get a move on it and I'll relay the rest of what he told me." Trask says as he grabs the lead for Garrick and continues to move forward, with much the same plan as before, of camping when needed, and generally keeping moving unless something happens.

When Trask comes back with the first load of items Tindish is surprised and happy, "Mr. Trask, it would seem the troll didn't give you any troubles at all. Please know, I was indeed ready to come to your aid. But, phooey, the great Toliver Trask needs no aid. Conqueror of orcs, destroyer of Trolls! They will sing your tails for generations my good man."

Tindish looks off to behind Trask toward where the Troll was, "Today you met your match you loathsome troll." Tinidsh turns back to Trask and asks, "Do you need a hand gathering the spoils of you victory?" Assuming Trask looks confused and says he doesn't need any help Tindish replies, "I'm sure the Farmer is quite shaken from the engagement, fine, fine. It seems he was very appreciative of your troll slaying services as well." Tindish ponders for a moment, I wonder how long that troll has been terrorizing the poor farmer?

Once the wagon is loaded and ready to go Tinidsh will fall in line and continue the journey.

[Tolliver Trask]

((Rolls Carried Over))

"Mr. Trask, it would seem the troll didn't give you any troubles at all. Please know, I was indeed ready to come to your aid. But, phooey, the great Toliver Trask needs no aid. Conqueror of orcs, destroyer of Trolls! They will sing your tails for generations my good man."

Tindish looks off to behind Trask toward where the Troll was, "Today you met your match you loathsome troll." Tinidsh turns back to Trask and asks, "Do you need a hand gathering the spoils of you victory?" Assuming Trask looks confused and says he doesn't need any help Tindish replies, "I'm sure the Farmer is quite shaken from the engagement, fine, fine. It seems he was very appreciative of your troll slaying services as well." Tindish ponders for a moment, I wonder how long that troll has been terrorizing the poor farmer?

Once the wagon is loaded and ready to go Tinidsh will fall in line and continue the journey.

Trask looks at Tindish, and then looks at Durak and Bonk. "Somehow I'm certain that this is your fault." Trask says before looking at Tindish again. "You really are blind as a bat in the daytime... There isn't any Troll, just a farmer and his dogs. I bought some more foodstuffs for the trip from him and got some info about the area, that's all." Trask says before rubbing his temples.

These guys are gonna kill me faster than an orc.