[Game Thread] Ninthaar Trail

[pathfinder]

Your group finds themselves marching Northwest along the twisting trails beside the Ninthaar River. A long three days' march from Halaath. The forested trails lining the river have been providing good cover and occaisionally two mountain peaks come into view through the canopy to the north, one larger than the other. The terrain climbs gradually and open meadows are seen here and there on both sides of the riverbanks.

The skies above are slightly overcast. Ahead, the rolling foothills are looking like they open up into a larger landscape. The countryside and larger mountains lie beyond the foothills. Perhaps these are the Brimtooth Range you've heard about in tales..

The Ninthaar babbles and flows. This part has a shallower, stony creekbed. Somewhere ahead are rumoured to be the ruined buildings. A few hours of daylight remain and the chillier nights have been suggesting frost lately..

 

 

Rethnaar: Halaath, Vielhaan Reach,and Westward toward the Brimtooth Range

Map Key:
~Halaath is the settlement where Setharyl Mierataar, half-elven, wealthy merchant controls his mercantile empire. routes are overland and by ship.
~Vielhaan Reach is the narrow strip or channel that opens up eastward to the vast inland sea.
~Siannodel Forest is a mystical and feared place. The elves of Siannodel wood have fought ferociously to protect their lands, negotiating what are called 'neutral settlements' on 'their' side of the Reach. A number of human settlements have sprung up over the last few centuries ...on the other side.
Toward the north and west are lands that open up to a view of the Brimtooth Range.
~Your camp (3-days march along the Nimthaar River) lies at the beginning of this vista...

 

Halaath, known for being a town attracting brave souls was where you and your associates had discovered that the daughter of one of the Viellhaan Reach's most affluent merchant families has gone missing..

Brave Souls Requested

Sellilique Mierataar, daughter of Setharyll Mierataar has gone missing.
To any who can secure her safe return to House Mierataar, a generous reward will gladly be paid by myself personally.
Please do not delay.

Sincerely,
Setharyll Mierataar


...After asking around town and replenishing your supplies and gear, you discovered that the ploy was to extract a huge ransome from the abundant coffers of the Mierataar Family. Setharyll Mierataar has been an established wealthy half-elven merchant for three decades and has developed highly lucrative shipping and over-land routes; as well as many important and influential contacts all over the Viellhaann Reach, out into the greater inland sea and other settlements.

The rumours had all pointed to a number of ruined buildings northwest of Halaath. It is believed that a villianous band of raiders from the mountainous lands have partnered with the members the Black Network, a loosely identified affiliation of thieves and pirates who wish to gain control of the trade routes and add to their coffers have captured her and are holding her somewhere to increase the ramsome.

ooc: let's do this!

[punkrockguy]

"So, does any one have a clear idea how much longer it will take to get to the ruins? Maybe we should make camp for the night? says Bobby as he glances up at the sky trying to see what the weather may be like the next few hours.

[Honorius]

Drick pauses while sharing the heavenly glance with Bobby and scowls. "We have come too far; these clouds will shroud the starlight, and the frost will hang on our breaths as we sleep," he mutters. A slight rustle in the leaves ahead warns of a gust coming off the northern peaks, and Drick pulls down his hood, abandoning his upward gaze. Now focused on the path ahead he mutters again, "This brook will hide the sound of footsteps approaching in the night."

Drick steals a sideways glance at Itori to see if his casual observations were perceived as weakness. He bites his lip. What would otherwise be a pleasant Autumn walk through wilderness reminiscent of his homeland, Drick has spoiled with the bitter caution of the back alleys of the city. Drick shakes his head and his thoughts. Flexing his fingers along the grip of his bow, he steps through the tall grass hugging the river bank, slides down the slope, and makes way across the ford to the far side.

[Tafratin]

"I think we should stop soon. the night will be cold and a campfire will feel good. If we get to close to the ruins the fire could be seen. If we are close it would be best to arrive there rested. Bobby's suggestion to stop may be a good one." Looking around he sees the landscape open up. One can see much farther. He watches Drick cross the stream to the other side and wonders why.

[ShinobiMaster123]

Itori was out in front when the group starts to talk about stopping for the night. Itori would rather press onward to get to get some proper shelter, but they are whining like old women. He turns and gives the group an emotionless stare.

He lets out a great sigh. He takes off his backpack and looks about. Spying a small clearing he starts to head toward it saying, "Zis way." and gathering bits of firewood off the ground as he goes.

He dumps his backpack to one side, the distinct sound of jingling coins as the pack hits the ground.

He stacks the firewood in a pyramid shape allowing room for the fire to breathe and gets dry moss to place in the center. He reaches into his backpack drawing out a flask he adds a slight bit of oil to the moss. He takes out his flint and steel and works on getting the fire lit.

He stands and places his hands into the opposite sleeves and walks to the edge of campfire. "Whatu honorable companions wantu do now?"

[Tafratin]

In the three days of travel, Toddymocket has gotten to know his dog quit well. He named her Sheena, and spent hours combing out her fir. In return he got many licks, mostly on the cheek but not always. Although old she seemed to thrive on the attention and returned it as well.

Seeing Itori set up a camp fire Sheena and Toddymocket gathered as much firewood as they could carry. The nights seem long and a chill always moved in so the warm fire was very welcome. Soon food would be cooked then rest for the night. Toddymocket looked forward to sharing the warmth by sleeping next to Sheena.

A good rest was in order for tomorrow may require that all of us be at our best.

[Honorius]

Drick climbs the far bank, turns and faces the group. Not wanting to shout over the sounds of the river he motions back to them:

He points with his whole hand twice in their direction, then twice at the ground. Now he points at himself twice and twice in the direction of upstream. Finally, he removes his hood and in exaggerated fashion pulls it over his head again.

Drick takes off his pack, lays down his scabbard, and draws an arrow from his quiver. He takes a deep breath through his nose, taking in the cool forest air. Holding his breath momentarily, Drick darts up the river on the far side and vanishes into the wilderness.

[punkrockguy]

Seeing Drick's movements and hand signals, Bobby smiles warmly at the thought that the good elf was going to check round to make sure things are safe.

Come help me move some of the bigger logs over, for us to take perch on, as we talk and jest around this wonderful fire. he says in a merry whisper lowering his ragged ordinary looking haversack off his back and putting his hand just into the top. To the surprise of the others he pulls for its depths a tent, how it fit in the bag was strange, seeing the size of it when it had been erected. Thought this may come in handy too, it can fit at least two people in it, never really had call for fitting more in.

[Tafratin]

"I prefer to sleep in the open, and I have Sheena to help keep warm. If she is not to tired she also has good hearing. I look forward to a good nights rest for tomorrow may be a busy day. More or less I think." With that he sits and has Sheena put her head in his lap to pet. It is soothing to both of us.

[ShinobiMaster123]

Itori nods to Drick as he takes off upstream. He didn't waive them toward him so he assumes he decided to scout ahead or found some game. He unrolls his tatami mat which seems quite strange to the others. It is just a straw mat and seems very uncomfortable. He places his pack down to use as a pillow and draws a blanket from his pack.

Itori sits on the mat indian sytle and places his katana down near his pack. He places his hands on his thighs and says, "Itoli good." His thick accent and refrain from using a lot of words sounds a bit strange to the others.

He closes his eyes and meditates, becoming one with the environment. Listening deeply to his surroundings.

[punkrockguy]

Having set up his tent Bobby sits at the fire trying to warm through, his mind wandering to the group he has left back in the town. After just a few moments the others start to hear a rather melodic sound coming from him, as he starts to sing in just a low whisper as if to himself.

If any one cares to listen they may recognise it to be the anthem of the town, the town he knows and loves, Halaath.

 

Dice Roll:

(as this is an older post, these rolls are interpreted by the older (more basic) dice roller code)
d20+1:	(14) + 1	Total = 15

[pathfinder]

The travellers make camp and rest their weary feet...

 

[pathfinder]

The group sets up and gets the fire going. Soon the sun dips all the way down the horizon forming colorful ribbons in the west and darkening into dusk.. The first stars can be seen in the east...

 

[pathfinder]

As the group is setting up for evening, The elf 'Drick' signals that he is off to scout the area. The elf follows the tree-lined trail on the bank of the river..

Following the treecover he soon slips off into the darkness...

 

Listen to this as you read the next post.

mood music

[pathfinder]

Drick slips off into the darkness..

 

Going past the edge of the campsite, he follows the treecover on the right side of the path as it is much thicker on that side. His keen elven instincts pick up a scent in the air ahead.

There is activity. Following the thicker foliage and trees lining the Ninthaar River, he soon advances to the edge of the treecover. The area at the end of the tree cover opens up into a meadow that has a gentle rising slope as it goes away from the river. The meadow is surrounded by dirt and rock as the whole area north of the campsite and north of the ruin-stone buildings slopes to the north to the two large hills and you are camped at the base of a mountain. (large map)

 

.....In the meadow ahead you see two buildings. The scent is stronger and you take cover to survey the clearing. You can see a black watch dog is tied up between the two buildings, in front of them. Building 'A' on the left (closer to the river) is having a glow of some kind of light on the left side. ..maybe a window, and maybe the ruins are just very eroded there. Also, noteworthly on the left side of Building 'A' is a larger mound of earth right up against the building. Both buildings seem to have been covered with straw and leafy foliage on top of what's left of the large log beams that stick out of the stone. The straw and foliage roof-covering probably help to camoufalge these buildings and probably keep out some of the rain. Here and there, some light escapes the cracks of building 'A'.

You hear movement.. A large human is walking from the right hand side near building 'B', moving left towards building 'A'. His form is of a much larger stature than any of the humans around the central south and Halaath/Vielhaan Reach area. It is possible that this human is of one of the Northerly tribes. Perhaps he carries blood of the frost folk of the far north.