Expedition to Kraka Grak, Spring 668

[Leitz]

Jing Ji-ho

Ji-ho stood in the rain, forward of the others. Armed, of course, but not aggressive. After weeks of laying around, standing in the rain was a pleasure he seldom fully appreciated. He looked at the horsemen, and then focused on their leader.

Whether or not the horsemen wanted to talk about the staked ogre skulls outside of the door, they saw them. The Hill Dwarves had done a masterful job of rendering the ogres unfit for revivication, and the skulls would bring a nice bounty. Sun bleaching would help them smell less, and that was a win.

"I am Captain Jing Ji-ho, under contract to Gurav Graka, Thane of Kraka Grak. The watch tower suffered under its previous owners, but we have relieved them of their duties. Please, come inside and let us talk." Ji-ho bowed slightly, waited for the men to dismount, and then led them inside.


I'm not sure how big the place is, if it can even hold that many people. Ji-ho is polite, but wants the rest of the group to meet the six before any real decisions are made.

[GreyWolfVT]

Bofur even after his experience being a prisoner tries to remain optimistic and upbeat "Yes, shall we talk. That's the spirit. Always good to see someone willing to use their words rather than their swords first." the dwarf smiles, though one of his fellow hill dwarves does not Dwalin. Balin usually of high spirits does smile as well in greeting to the nomads.

[scarik]

The accessible interior could fit 50 people on the floors and that's pushing it and you already have 20 of your own. However the hill is an artificial motte that has smoothed with time but still has defined leeward side that is a good place to set camp, put up tents and such to shelter beneath and break the worst of the wind. Bonus that it is not the side with the entrance.

[scarik]

I am putting a pin in this encounter. The outcome is non-violent and the nomads move on when the rain breaks. If you want to explore specifics let me know and we can start a thread in private for you.

Week 6 of recovery, Day 3

As the fog clears Sengrim excitedly grabs hold of everyone with a decent bow who can draw it, "Wild cattle! Wild cattle!" he shouts anticipating dinner for the evening. Within an hour the herd has run off to the north and the men drag a decently sized critter back to camp. Everyone will eat well the rest of the journey.

Week 6 of recovery, Day 7

A pack of wild dogs comes close to the fort, attracted by the smells of food. They are skittish and likely following the trail of the herd that passed by. They run off after it soon.

Encounters pick up from:
Week 6 [_7d12]=(4+10+12+3+4+6+12)=51
First encounter of this week Ji-ho, Dramm and Rolton have Minor wounds.
All injuries are recovered by week's end.

Week 6 Day 3 Encounter [1d100]=21 Herd Animals. I don't need to generate the other usual rolls. There's enough of them to try and pick one off.
Sengrim Hunting cattle [2d6]=11 Sengrim easily gets everyone into position to take on a good one.
Cattle Yield in stone [8d6]=29 That's 290 pounds of meat.

Week 6 Day 7 Encounter [1d100]=12 Wild dogs.

[scarik]

Day 46 (from Borderton)

Eventually everyone is able to move under their own power and the group, now several Dwarves more and one man less, pack up and head for Ravenswell. The Old Road the Hill Dwarves use doesn't to directly to the small settlement. Instead it passes several miles to the south where it aims more directly toward Borderton and the passage east through the mountains. But on foot that is no real challenge as by the time they would need to veer off its afternoon and the blanket of fog is gone.

The weather even cooperates by drying out for the most part. The day is overcast and damp with a meager breeze and by the time they reach the necromancers' waystation they are caked in mud and clinging grass.


Day 47 on the road

The grey skies refrain raining on the next day and its the first in a long time the group isn't greeted by heavy fog. The road is muddy and rutted but its center is sturdy and the mud thus less of a chore as they finally set eyes once more on Borderton.

Given that they are a score of armed, mud spattered adventurers a patrol meets them before they reach the walls and, upon examining Jing Ji-ho's Letter of Marque, they escort you back and wave you through the gate. One of the riders then canters off toward the Keep itself, most likely to make a report. And, to give truth to that supposition, he returns and says that Sir Tylar invites them to make camp in the tower yard when the Green Lily make their base and for Ji-ho and Barnaby to join him for supper at The Flagonmark. There is no mention of the Dwarves, but it doesn't seem to be a problem as they were going to that inn regardless and Gurav invites Bofur and his Derigar to join his party so they may trade more tales over a proper amount of ale.

Day 46, Hex 1 Encounter [1d6]=2
Day 46, Hex 2 Encounter [1d6]=2
Day 46, Hex 3 Encounter [1d6]=3
Day 46, Camp Encounter [1d6]=3
No encounters while travelling and none when you stop for the night either.

Day 47, Hex 1 Encounter [1d6]=2
Day 47, Hex 2 Encounter [1d6]=5
Day 47, Hex 3 Encounter [1d6]=2
No encounters before you return to town.

[Leitz]

Jing Ji-ho

"My friend, may I have a word?" Ji-ho said as he walked beside Barnaby. Rolton was no where nearby. "We need to turn in the ogre skulls for their bounty, if there is one. Rolton is a noble from this area and would know how best to do that, and who to talk you. Would you do me a favor? You are of noble blood, and the knights will respect that. When you speak of the battle, can you speak well of Rolton? He too is of noble blood, and I would like to help him 'earn his spurs', as he calls the process. If the local knights know the truth about his honor and bravery, they should more easily accept him."

[tibbius]

"Certainly," Barnaby responds, "I'm only flattered that you asked. I will compose a ballad of the battle, and give Rolton proper mention - a shout out in the chorus, maybe, next to you."

[GreyWolfVT]

Bofur "You know we've travelled around this area a bit what with all the tradin we do round these parts.Our home can't be too far off west of here if I have my bearings right." the dwarf says in looking around the area. hopefully I am not taking things out of context.

[scarik]

As of now you are back in Borderton and going through the training and refitting process.

I am making a new thread to handle that since this leg of the expedition is now complete.