Expedition: Blackjack/Emmisaries to the Orcs - 01 Oct 2021

[Marullus]

Roster:
- Blackjack Amistad, Lumberjack Entrepreneur
- Issachar, Cleric of Gwanwen
- Sir Piers Garrett, Cleric of Baudh
- Akkara, Guardswoman and Morlock Scholar (NPC)
- Florin, Cleric of Baudh (NPC)
- Sgt Danzeiger, Leader of the ArchDuke's men (NPC)
- Trick, cartwright apprentice (NPC)
- Bera, Ranger of Beith (NPC)

[Marullus]

01 October 2021

The sun peaks over the horizon and finds the ArchDuke's men assembled, their platemail and steeds resplendent, the banners of Gaul fluttering on their lances. Blackjack's men cluster about the sturdy wagon he has prepared, bedecked with supplies.

The day begins dreary, damp, and cold, fall fading swiftly to winter. It is completely overcast and drizzly in the morning, turning into a soaking downpour which lasts all afternoon. The day begins at 57 degrees and never gets appreciably warmer.

With the equinox past, the days now dive into darkness, heading towards the winter solstice with less than 12 hours of light in a day. By the end of November, the freezing temperatures will arrive and last through the winter. The farmers of Gaul speak of the long nights with no small amount of fear - by late December, the sun will crest the horizon for less than seven hours with the dimness of twilight only slightly longer - pitch darkness will reign over 12 hours each day and the farmers huddle inside against what roams at those times.

Sunrise: 7:14am, Sunset: 6:49pm
Moon: Quarter moon waxing, moonrise 1:11pm, moonset 8:27pm

[Spearmint]

Amistad nods in appreciation of the assembled crew, hoping their confidence and expectations will be rewarded. Not one for speeches, he gives the wave to lead off.

He has spent the previous evening rechecking and repacking supplies with Trick and going over plans with Sir Piers, Isaachar and Sgt Danzeiger.

Leaving Gaul by the western gates our first journey will be to head towards Beiths' Watch. Having sent messages ahead that the party will head that way he also hopes to recruit the ranger Bera so that our trek through the forest may be eased.

(The wagon is pulled by two draft horses and by reckoning pulls 750 lbs each on a mv rate of 60'ft).

encounter on way to Beiths Watch [1d4] = 3

[Stirling]

Issachar

Ready to meet some northern orcs, he shares a few words of 'orcish' greetings with the cavalry troops. Things like "hello I'm Bob with three testicles", and "your head will decorate my spear very nicely".

He sharpens his symbolic sickle and generally enjoys the travel reading his ecclesiastical guide books and meditating for the following daily spells.


Level 1 spells:
Cause fear  
  Cure Light Wounds  
  Remove Fear  
  Resist Cold  
  Sanctuary  

Level 2:
  Curse (reverse of bless)  
  Delay poison  
  Speak with animals  

[Jernau35]

Sir Piers and the Acolyte Florin on horseback, accompanied by his mule Norp. He hitches Norp to the back of the wagon and rides over to Amistad. "I've brought the healing waters of Baudh, and water blessed to repel the cursed undead. How shall we distribute them?"

12 potions of healing and 5 flaslks of holy water.

Editing to add a Current Spell List

Level 1
Command
Cure Light Wounds Injured trooper/dragon
Cure Light Wounds
Light
Protection From Evil

Level 2
Bless
Hold Person
Silence 15' Radius
Speak With Animal

Level 3
Dispel Magic
Striking

[Spearmint]

Amistad considers the question. "We should keep them for real emergency and not just healing top ups. The expedition is not a sprint so divine prayers rather than using irreplaceable gifts. With three clerics we should be blessed. "

Amistad suggests Piers keeps the holy water and most of the potions, perhaps giving two to Sgt Danzeiger and keeping a couple in the wagon strongbox.

[Jernau35]

Piers gives two of the potions to Sgt. Danziger as suggested. He keeps two on his person. He offers one each to Amistad and Issachar. If either of them refuses, Piers offers them in turn to Akkara and Florin.

Any potions that are not accepted join the other six in the strongbox on the wagon.

Piers does something similar with the flasks of Holy Water. He puts two in the strongbox, keeps one for himself and offers the other to Amistad, then to Issachar, then to Florin.

[Spearmint]

Amistad

adds the potion to his inventory, as does Sgt Danzeiger. (I have their notes)

Having rolled the 'encounter' roll to Beiths Watch and no encounter scored. I presume we arrive safely. Posted arrival in Beiths Watch thread.

[Stirling]

Isaachar will pass the offered potion to either Akaara or Trick, whichever is more likely to have the greatest need.

[Spearmint]

Late evening: 1st Oct 2021

The Orc trek emissaries arrive at Beiths Watch.  Amistad greets Vassar the guardian priest and doffs his cap in reverent remembrance to Rhybeck.

He asks about the general ongoing building and reports or rumours regarding 'the north'. (Orcs, Morlocks, Clay the badger-priest). 

Whilst Amistad, Piers and Issachar seek out Bera the ranger at the inn, the Sgt takes the opportunity to test the men and equipment with making camp, perhaps near to Gus's farm.

The plan is to rise early and follow Bera's advice on the best northerly course through the forest.


post cut and pasted from Beiths Watch threads. Potion given to Akaara

[Stirling]

Issachar the Gwanwen priest visits the tavern for beer and Bera. He is a bit unnerved around the Beithians, with their veganism and animal husbandry. He figures that the cost to fill their cistern more than they are willing to pay. (the animal not the gold). He will busy himself around the camp, checking on old farm hand Gus and his travails in the new farm, hoping he hasn't been proselytised.

For 20gp and the sacrifice of a living mammal, the priestesses will fill the cisterns of a landholder, even during drought.

[Jernau35]

Piers first task is to talk to Amistad and Sgt Danziger. "This might be our last chance to get a good nights rest for a while. I'll go over to the tavern there and arrange our food and accommodation. Sergeant, I'll leave you to see to the men".

Piers then takes Florin off to the tavern to take care of the arrangements for the evening.

[Spearmint]

Amistad

Gets as much info from Vassar and Bera as possible about the forest and beyond. Leave early next day. We have enough supplies for three weeks and I don't want to slow the horses unnecessarily. So press on as we are.

[Marullus]

The Archduke's men are grateful for the good night's sleep in the inn and in good spirits when they don their platemail on the cool morning of OCtober 2nd. Bera also seems in good spirits, ranging ahead of the mounted group on foot. The lands are more settled as you set out northward from the tavern at Beith's Watch - a well-worn road has formed northward to what was the "kobold tower" but is now the seat of Lord Earc. His rangers patrol these plains and all is safe passing his tower and heading for the forest's edge a few miles beyond.

The forests rise like a wall, thick and tangled, the gnarled and ancient trees dimming the sun with their broad canopy. Getting started with the horses and wagon is a challenge, but the hooves of a dozen and a half horses do a lot of work to trample a way for the wagon to get through. Once you get into the deep forest and beyond the brush and bramble, it becomes a bit more passable, only the gnarled roots bigger than a man's leg need to be traversed, tangling undergrowth less common and more easily avoided.

(Max half-speed with wagon off-road; you're moving a total of 0.66mph.)

Everyone takes turns helping the wagon navigate the wood, but as it carries all the gear, everyone else is travelling light. When it comes time to camp, the provision of good food, drink, and tents makes the effort seem more worthwhile. The first two days and nights pass without incident, your large group startling most wildlife and sending it scurrying away before anyone but Berra even gets to notice its passing. You rise on the third day, moving all morning on your straight northerly course, no indication that the forest will ever end.

As noon passes, or as best you can surmise under the filtered canopy, Berra is back with you, consulting on where to stop for lunch. One of the horses rears and whinnies, a figure leaping up to shout an alarm in the orcish language just ahead of you! You've stumbled, almost literally, onto a artfully-hidden group of hide-tents in a copse of trees. More shouts come from inside the tents as the orcs rouse themselves. You're both startled, realizing you have a dozen mounted knights and a unit of orcish infantry face to face with neither side expecting it. Their sentry is still shouting, the orcs are dubious at best, suspicious of these armored humans trotting into their camp...

(Both sides surprised! You both get your wits and can then act normally at the same time.)

Date: 04 October 2021, 12:10pm
Light: Sunlight
Weather: 48-52 F, moderately breezy, no rain, overcast skies hidden by tree canopy
Sunrise 7:20am, sunset 6:41pm; Half-moon waxing
Effects: None
Injuries: None

surprise: us [1d6] = 1 them [1d6] = 2

[Spearmint]

'Blackjack' Amistad

We have encountered orcs sooner than I anticipated though I know they scout these forests. I know they are well armed with pristine weaponry and model leathers.

"Halt. Keep your ground men. Issachar to the fore please." He hopes Sgt Danzeiger will resist a first inclination to attack and heel his men around the wagon.

"Peace my neighbours. I am Amistad of the Vale and Sir Piers, envoy of Gaul. We seek to build peace and prosperity with the three orc tribes."

[Jernau35]

Piers waits a moment to see if Amistad's words have any effect. If not, he calls out in the goblin tongue "We come in peace! Do not attack us! We will not attack you!"

[Stirling]

Brother Issachar

Utters a simple 'Sanctuary' spell and hops off the wagon. He approaches the sentry figure open handed and greets him in orcish.

"Cousin, there is no need for alarm."

[Marullus]

The humans group up, presented an organized and mountain front -- a show of strength -- and present no offense, speaking in their orcish tongue.

A dozen orcs show themselves, but noise in the tents indicates their not showing their full numbers. The placations work, however, and the orcs appear less dubious, though still not what you'd call friendly. They are chainmail clad warriors talking to platemail clad warriors as peers.

A big orc with a ear cleaved off replies in orcish, sizing up the mounted forces. "What is your interest in the three tribes, Soldier of Men and friend of Dwarves?"

Date: 04 October 2021, 12:10pm
Light: Sunlight
Weather: 48-52 F, moderately breezy, no rain, overcast skies hidden by tree canopy
Sunrise 7:20am, sunset 6:41pm; Half-moon waxing
Effects: None
Injuries: None

[Spearmint]

Amistad

"Friend of giants too. And I trust Friend of orcs. For too long the dukes of the south made war, made widows and orphans. Treaties have established peace with the dwarves as they reclaim their homes. We want peace too with the northern orc tribes. Our mutual prosperity lies in overcoming challenges together."

[Jernau35]

Unable to speak orcish, Piers waits to see how the situation develops after the opening exchange.