Chapter 1: Journey through the Jotens

[gurusql]

Exiting North Reach and entering the Jotens
Early morning Freeday, 7th day of Planting, 597

Qleceec (AC 1, HP 63/63)
Androgost (AC -6, HP 65/65)
Nah (AC 4, HP 53/53)
Siouxsie (AC 2, HP 48/48)
Garrant (AC 8, HP 50/50)
Boff (AC 5, HP 61/61)
Franny (AC 4, HP 26/26)
Hex (AC 0, HP 27/27)
Raffi (AC -1, HP 21/21)

The party exits out the northern gate of North Reach and starts heading into the hills. The trail is travelled with some frequency by wagon trains to and from Silver Spring as well as mounted and foot patrols that come from the city. The group gets just in front of a score of dwarves all dressed in chain mail and shields and armed with broad swords and spears that are on patrol from North Reach and will be behind you on the trail.

Before long the sounds of the woodland fills your ears and the clean air fills your lungs. The trail is definitely trending upward, but not at an overwhelming pace. Around 10 AM, Qleceec followed by her "pack horse" sees some obvious tracks puts up a hand to stop the group.

[Rex]

Qleceec

Qleceec looks around for any potential ambush. If she finds none she will dismount and check the tracks out.

After examining the tracks she signals the others forward.

"Looks like a group of hill giants passed this way. We should probably keep moving, but keep alert."

Turning to Boff, "Boff, could you leave a mark or message for the Dwarven patrol about the giants in case they miss the sign? I didn't see a scout or ranger with them."

[gurusql]

The female Ranger sees no immediate signs of ambush, but the trail does head up at a steep 25 degree angle just after this point. She takes a moment to examines the tracks.

Qleceec track searching results

Qleceec thinks that the tracks are from perhaps three different hill giants.
[1d100]=73

Everyone please make a 4d6 WIS check - and please use [_4d6] in case I give secret bonuses.

[Storm11]

Hex [_4d6]=(3+1+5+6)=15 Fail

Raffi
[_4d6]=(5+5+5+5)=20 Fail

The diminutive pair will keep their eyes peeled on the road trail behind them as they travel, turning each once every five minutes or so in a staggered fashion. Hex first, then Raffi, then Hex etc.

[spanningtree]

Androgost

Androgost takes as close of a look as he can muster w/o getting out of the saddle.

[_4d6]=(2+5+3+3)=13

WIS = 13

[Rex]

Qleceec

Wis check (13) [_4d6]=(4+3+2+4)=13

[shaidar]

Garrant

[_4d6]=(5+4+2+1)=12 (vs 16)

[cybersavant]

Nah Olos dismounts and leads his horse, bastard sword in hand. He sniffs the air and looks around.


Wis 10

[OGRE MAGE]

Boff and Franny look to the sides of the trail, keeping their eyes peeled for danger.

Wis Check (7) [_4d6]=(2+6+3+2)=13

"Aye! We can leave a sign or note fer the patrol behind us."

It seems Franny detects something her dear uncle does not.

Wis Check (16) [_4d6]=(3+2+5+4)=14

[Spearmint]

Siouxsie

Siouxsie: Wisdom check by individual dice vs 16 [_4d6]=(1+2+5+6)=14

Scans the area for hidden movement and intuitive signals.

[gurusql]

Entering the Jotens
10 AM Freeday, 7th day of Planting, 597

Qleceec (AC 1, HP 63/63)
Androgost (AC -6, HP 65/65)
Nah (AC 4, HP 53/53)
Siouxsie (AC 2, HP 48/48)
Garrant (AC 8, HP 50/50)
Boff (AC 5, HP 61/61)
Franny (AC 4, HP 26/26)
Hex (AC 0, HP 27/27)
Raffi (AC -1, HP 21/21)

The front half of the group (Qleceec, Androgost, Nah, Siouxsie and Garrant) notices a roundish rock about 12-15 inches in diameter is rolling very slowly in your general direction. Since it is moving very slowly right now if it keeps rolling it will pick up speed and could be a concern in 2-3 minutes. It is perhaps 120' up the forementioned steep hill.

In addition, Qleceec, Androgost, Nah, Siouxsie, Garrant and Franny (note Franny on this list) also saw that something was hiding some distance behind the rock that has moved out of the groups collective field of view and into the cover of the hills. Qleceec thinks that it is one of the hill giants that she was just looking at the tracks for.

Actions?

[spanningtree]

Androgost

OCC: Question for the DM: Is the rock coming down the trail at us or from the right/left? Are we in a valley or a steep prairie? Thx.

[gurusql]

The group is following the trail which is heading up a steep hill. The rock is rolling down this hill in your general direction and basically following the trail that goes straight down/up the hill. No good trail design having it zig and zag. While this does not appear to be an attack it could hurt someone that is unaware.

You in the hills leading into the mountains, so not a valley.

[Rex]

Qleceec

Loud enough for everyone to hear but not loud enough to alert anyone off a ways, "I just spotted a hill giant. This may be an ambush keep alert everyone."

She will ready her bow as she moves back to her horses.

[OGRE MAGE]

Franny edges her horse off the trail, pointing out the perceived trap to the others.

Boff moves off the trail as well, staying close to Franny, but keeping his eyes peeled for any immediate danger.

"That rollin rock coming this way is either a trap, er a diversion. We better get these horses off the trail."

[Storm11]

Hex and Raffi guide their shaggy ponies to the side of the trail and try and find something to fasten their reins to, once their companions start talking about giants and ogres and such.

They slip off the steeds and the illusionist nods to the halfling. Raffi smiles and slips from the trail to try and find somewhere to hide and watch and wait.
The gnome looks for a place to take some cover as well, a boulder or mound or tree that might serve his purposes. He fiddles as his belt to check that his wand is where he left it.

[Spearmint]

Siouxsie

Sure a single rock no bigger than a melon can be sidestepped. It doesn't appear to have been thrown and rocks don't move under their own volition.

Is this the beginnings of another earthquake? Or did the Hill Giant knock it when it moved away?

I speak Hill Giant. So will urge my horse forward and hail the creature.

"Hello friend." she calls.

[shaidar]

How far away are the front and rear party members from Garrant? More than 6"?

[spanningtree]

Androgost

Makes moves to keep himself and his mount out of harms way. Looking down trail he realizes it would be prudent to alert the dwarves they passed. He will ride toward them until he is w/in shouting range: Ho! There is a large rock coming down the trail with some speed, keep your wits about you!

[gurusql]

Androgost

Makes moves to keep himself and his mount out of harms way. Looking down trail he realizes it would be prudent to alert the dwarves they passed. He will ride toward them until he is w/in shouting range: Ho! There is a large rock coming down the trail with some speed, keep your wits about you!

Just to clarify, you past the dwarves about 6:30 AM this morning and it about 10 AM now. While they were marching you were riding horses and they are significantly behind you (not just around the bend or anything like that).