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Post by DM-Delfon on May 19, 2021 18:27:14 GMT -5
You wake, half submerged in the wet filth and brackish water that fills part of the bilge. Stowing away here might not have been the best idea, but rats and bilge water are not even the worst thing you've been forced to survive on in the past. The ship you've been stowing away in has finally stopped rolling in the ocean swells. You're guessing that either the wind has died off completely, or the ship has finally come into port. You hear the familiar creaking sounds of the sailors above moving back and forth across the floor boards. They sound a little louder than they have over the past month, perhaps they're moving around some of the cargo you passed on the way down here.
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Post by Kosga on May 24, 2021 8:45:43 GMT -5
I quickly and quietly gather up what little possessions I have. Then I will slowly make my way upwards. I want to leave this boat while creating as little commotion as possible. I will observe the sailors as best I can, If possible I would like to find a time where I can move passed all of them without being noticed. If not I will wait till all of the cargo is unloaded(I presume that they are unloading). I do not relish the idea (thinks to himself relish would be good right now) of having to wait till nightfall but will do so if needed(what time of day is it)
Stealth 14 investigation 12 for figuring out their patterns etc.
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Post by DM-Delfon on May 24, 2021 9:29:25 GMT -5
You move to the trapdoor that leads into the ship proper and wait, listening carefully to the sounds of the crew moving about. As you suspected the ship is being unloaded, and you make your move when the coast is clear. You slip out of the trap door, and move carefully into the bow of the ship. Now hidden behind a support beam, in an area that has already been cleared of goods, you feel confident that this is a fairly safe place to hide out while planning your next move. Being below the water line, it's impossible to tell the time of day. The only light in this area is a pair of lanterns that cast their light near the stairs, and near the center of the room. The room looks to be about half full of crates and barrels.
While you watch an Elven fellow in leather armour casually strolls into the room, picks up a barrel and makes his way back to the stairs. There are two sets of stairs, one close to you near the bow, and another near the aft section of the ship. While you study the sailors movements, you find that there are three men, and one woman unloading this level of the ship. It doesn't take them long between trips, maybe thirty seconds each trip. There is a really small window to go up the stairs at the bow, and a slightly longer window of time toward the aft of the ship. To use the aft, you would have to cross the length of the ship first.
Game Mechanics: If you're going up the bow stairs, I only need a stealth check. The DC is going to be higher then the aft stairs.
If you're going up the aft stairs, I will need a stealth check to cross the room, and another to go up the stairs.
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Post by Kosga on May 24, 2021 10:06:42 GMT -5
After having had some time to take a look around, I decide that it would be wiser and far safer to go up the aft stairway. As quietly as I can muster(mustard sounds good right now) I move across the room and up the stairs, hoping not to be seen.
Roll(1d20)+2: 15,+2 Total:17 stealth for crossing the room
Roll(1d20)+2: 11,+2 Total:13 going up the aft stairs
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Post by DM-Delfon on May 24, 2021 16:01:30 GMT -5
You carefully count out a few seconds after one of the sailors leaves with another load before making your move. Crossing the room you flit from box to box until you slip behind the aft stairs. As expected, a pair of sailors come down for another load. You follow them up to the next floor, and dodge behind some open water barrels that smell of lemons.
Observing this next floor you can now see the light from outside coming down through a large open area near mid ship. As you watch the sailors bring their loads to below that opening, and a skid of cargo is lifted up out of the hold. The sailors you had been watching head back below, while only one remains to guide the block and tackle operator back into position.
Aside from the large opening, there seems to be two exits from this chamber. A door set into the wall right near you, and another stairs near the bow.
Mechanics: To get to the bow you will have to make an opposed stealth/perception check against the remaining sailor.
To use the door, will also be a stealth check.
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Post by Kosga on May 24, 2021 16:30:38 GMT -5
With terrified precision I make my way to the bow. Once there I will take a few minutes to observe the stairs, including what might be just above them if possible. I am getting more nervous by the minute, so far this trip has been extremely boring. Knowing that he would not be very well received if discovered right now. I am being extra careful to not get caught.
Roll(1d20)+2: 14,+2 Total:16 stealth fully gliding the length of a ship
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Post by DM-Delfon on May 24, 2021 19:56:19 GMT -5
You flit from shadow to shadow, moving quickly and quietly across the ship. As the first of the sailors comes up from below, you slip into the stairs and make your way further out of the ship. This is the ballista deck, with six unloaded ballista set up and ready to fire once loaded if one only opens the shutters. The center of the room is currently open to both above and below, and a taught line hangs down through the opening in both the floor and ceiling. The stairs continue up to the top deck on both ends of this deck, or one could escape out of the shuttered windows.
Mechanics If you take the stairs, I'll need a stealth check.
If you sneak out the windows I'll need both a stealth check and an athletics check.
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Post by Kosga on Jun 1, 2021 6:27:11 GMT -5
Cautiously and quietly I peek my head up the stairs, I am taking a good look about, specifically for how many people are on board, places that I could hide to get off the boat etc.
After assessing what is above me I am going over to the shudders and peering out them. Taking a good look down, and around where the boat is, trying to determine which route I can figure would be the safest.
once I have figured out which way I am going, set out in that direction as carefully as possible.
Roll(1d20)+3: 9,+3 Total:12 perception
Roll(1d20)+2: 13,+2 Total:15 stealth
Roll(1d20)+6: 14,+6 Total:20 athletics
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Post by DM-Delfon on Jun 2, 2021 17:58:27 GMT -5
You peek up the stairs, and see the top deck. Crew men and labourers are unloading the cargo that is brought up from below. You now see that the ship is docked inside a forest, tied to the bank of a river. The top deck is crowded with people, and exiting that way unnoticed would be difficult at best. You slip over to the shutters facing the bank, and slip out the window onto dry land for the first time in more than a month. You manage to find a small collection of bushes to hide.
Observing the area, you watch as the ship is unloaded. The Elves carry their burdens along a small footpath deeper into the trees. Down river, you see the ocean past a rise in the land. Upriver the forest becomes thicker, and more overgrown. What's the plan?
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Post by Kosga on Feb 16, 2022 9:21:39 GMT -5
Watching the elves while licking my lips at how tastily they would be right now. As quietly as possible I am going to try to follow them thru the bushes or whatever can provide me some cover. if the elves are spaced out enough to not overly be noticed will use the path.
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Post by DM-Delfon on Feb 16, 2022 14:09:44 GMT -5
The sailors remain with the ship, so you will have to circle away from the ship before following the Elves on the path. The Elves on the path are all carrying crates or barrels. Some of them have wheelbarrows or small carts loaded with supplies. There are even two wagons stacked with crates. Circling wide enough to avoid the sailor's notice is not overly difficult. You fall in some distance behind the Elves with the supplies and follow them a short distance before they stop in the middle of a clearing and begin to unload their wagons. You have no idea why they stopped here. There are no buildings, or structures of any kind that you can see.
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Post by Kosga on Feb 16, 2022 22:12:05 GMT -5
I am going to move close enough to them to be able to see better. (10+2=12 stealth)specifically I am trying to pay attention to hear what they are saying and get a better view of what they are doing with the supplies
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Post by DM-Delfon on Feb 18, 2022 0:08:19 GMT -5
You skulk up on the group of Elves, hunkering low in some elderberry bushes. The Elves are speaking Elven, so you have no idea what they’re talking about. From their body language it seems like those two are poking fun at that guy. That woman is blushing, so maybe what they’re poking fun about involves her somehow.
You don’t really get any more information because it is at that moment that a bundle of ropes unfurl on top of the supplies. The Elves get to work attaching the four ropes that split from the thicker central rope to the corners of a platform you can’t quite see. A moment later four of the Elves are being hoisted into the tree branches above.
You take a moment to look up, and it takes you a solid minute of looking to notice the buildings worked into the trees themselves. Seemingly grown rather than built that way. That is Elven construction if you’ve ever heard it. Why is there Elven construction in the Imperial city of Clifton?
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Post by Kosga on Feb 19, 2022 8:25:24 GMT -5
I will sit there and watch them bring up the supplies into the trees, until I can no longer see them. once they are gone, continues on my way whispering "well that didn't help my lunch any" waits for the next set of delivery people to be coming down that path and follows them, hoping there is some sort of a town near by.
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Post by DM-Delfon on Feb 19, 2022 8:59:35 GMT -5
The collection of Elves hang around chatting idly until the platform comes down again. Another four Elves help to position the platform so it lands in the correct orientation. Once the platform is settled, and wagon is driven onto the platform. Nothing extra is loaded onto the platform with it, likely because of the weight of the wagon itself.
The wagon is hoisted and the platform returns. This process continues until there are only four Elves remaining with a small cart of supplies. They’re chatting while watching the platform hoist back up into the trees above.
This whole process has taken maybe an hour, most of the time being idle while the platform rises or descends. You’ve had plenty of time to study the trees above, and have traced wooden plank bridges that span between the trees. Dozens of Elves are moving around up there. You estimate maybe ten dozen beings live in this settlement. Nothing about what you’re seeing seems like how Clifton was described to you back at the port where you boarded that ship.
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Post by Kosga on Feb 21, 2022 8:34:54 GMT -5
after they have all gone first I check the area for any supplies that may have been dropped, damaged and left etc. After I have done a basic search of the area start heading down the path. "seems that boat was only going up" I say while moving along. "this makes my walk easier for sure, I am hungry though hope I find something or someone I can eat soon." I try to pick up the pace some hoping to find some sort of habitation soon.
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Post by DM-Delfon on Feb 21, 2022 13:50:20 GMT -5
The last group of four ride up with the last half full loaded platform. The area around seems clear of Elves after the labourers are gone, though you know that Elves can be quite good at hiding, and their arrows fly true. Circling the clearing you find that the path ends here where the platform was. A few minutes later you see a lone Elf riding the empty platform down. When the platform is almost down he hops off and adjusts the platform into position. Once it’s set right it fades into the ground like it was never there. The lone Elf starts to detach the first cable.
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Post by Kosga on Feb 25, 2022 9:17:00 GMT -5
Well now that they are gone I can get moving, clifton has to be around here somewhere. I think, while starting down the path that is rapidly ending. "well if nothing else the forest will have plenty of food" with that I start wandering about mostly aimlessly searching out some food and hoping to find clifton
14+3=17 survival to find food
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Post by DM-Delfon on Feb 25, 2022 11:20:26 GMT -5
You wander about in the forest, foraging some berries here and a mushroom there. You find a small spring to get a drink from, and manage to bag a squirrel. All in all it’s a pretty relaxing afternoon. It feels really good to be able to stand, and walk around. No matter where you look, you do not see a massive walled city anywhere. The only signs of habitation is the small dock and the village in the trees.
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Post by Kosga on Apr 29, 2022 8:07:05 GMT -5
"Well this does kinda feel like home I guess" I say while Pausing for a huge stretch. "that felt good Lets go this way" I say to the trees as I start heading to the Northwest. Hoping to find some sort of settlement other than the elves. Moving along at a pretty fast pace(perception and disadvantage here) I continue on, not really paying attention to the time passing till either it is dark or I get hungry again.
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Post by DM-Delfon on Apr 29, 2022 11:26:08 GMT -5
No matter where you go the scenery stays the same. Lush forest, with carefully tended to undergrowth. It takes you all day, but you wander roughly away from where that dock was and manage to find another coastline. From here you can see another island backlit by the sun as it sets. That island is quite a distance, so swimming there would likely be impossible. Your stomach grumbles again, and you finish the last of your previously foraged goods. Time to find somewhere to sleep for the night. (Survival check)
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Post by Kosga on Apr 29, 2022 19:04:52 GMT -5
I start taking a look about for a decent place to sleep for the night, that will be somewhat not noticed, but yet not too far away either. Upon finding an acceptable spot I make a small camp for the night, gathering all of the food that I can.
1d20 + 3 to total : 12, + 3, TOTAL: 15 survival
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Post by DM-Delfon on Apr 29, 2022 22:04:12 GMT -5
Not overly far from the water’s edge you find a tree that blew over in strong winds. It’s root network has been mostly torn from the ground, leaving a hole big enough for you to fit comfortably inside. There is just enough space in the hole to have a small fire. The greens root network above provides an angled roof of sorts, and also enough ventilation that the fire won’t asphyxiate you in your sleep.
You wake in the morning, your stomach just starting to rumble. The sun has barely risen above the horizon, but already the songs of dozens of not hundreds of birds can be heard.
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Post by Kosga on Apr 30, 2022 6:50:24 GMT -5
Upon waking and listening to my stomach "why am I always hungry???" Get out of my bedroll with a big stretch. This place may make for a decent place to stay again if I need to. am going to make sure after eating to keep the area in as good of shape as possible in case I do need to sleep here again. After cooking up any game that I can find and having breakfast, the fire goes out extremely well. I try to leave little in the way of signs that I was even here.
I am going to continue down the waters edge not right on it but close enough to it so that I can see out onto the water.
1d20 + 3 to total : 9, + 3, TOTAL: 12 survival
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Post by DM-Delfon on Apr 30, 2022 7:04:18 GMT -5
You walk along the coastline, enjoying the cool breeze off the water and the scenic views of the waves and distant islands. While you travel you find a few edible things along the way. Mostly berries and some fallen fruit. After about four hours of travel you've reached a turning point where the island ends. From here you can double back the way you came, head inland, or follow the beach around the coastline of the island.
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Post by Kosga on May 1, 2022 10:44:07 GMT -5
With a great big stretch in the warm air and cool breeze. "Now witch way? if I go back by nighttime I will have been back whee I started, or I can keep going." I ask the nearest tree. with a soft sigh I continue to head down the beach along the coastline. hoping to find something out here beside elves and forest.
1d20 + 3 to total : 16, + 3, TOTAL: 19 survival for the afternoon and evening to find shelter. if needed
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Post by DM-Delfon on May 2, 2022 4:48:03 GMT -5
You walk along the coastline, sticking to just inside the tree line. Here the trees are just far enough apart that it’s easy to move between them, and the undergrowth isn’t too bad. You can see a small rocky section between the forest and the beach which would be better for walking. However walking out there would leave you visible to anyone in a boat, or on the beach themselves.
After about two hours of walking you find an oddity while gathering berries. Three wooden posts, long rotted down almost to the soil. Looking around the area you see more of these posts headed off into the forest. Maybe these were fence posts? A handrail? Torch holders? They’re spaces to perfectly to not be intentional.
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Post by Kosga on May 2, 2022 13:13:40 GMT -5
"what in the world is a fence doing out here?" Takes a long look about for elves or anyone else. "well these post remains are the most interesting things I have seen in a couple of days." I say to the air. Tally ho and all that stuff. I think as I start to follow the post remains.
1d20 + 3 to total : 9, + 3, TOTAL: 12 perception
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Post by lilmsdarknes on May 2, 2022 16:13:54 GMT -5
tucked half hidden behind a tree just off the path of the fences you see a brown well worn boot, as you approach the boot twitches and thats when you can see that there is someone there, they seem completely unaware of you, perhaps they are injured or sleeping. As you come around the large tree you come almost face to face with a sleeping girl, dressed in a creamy brown colored shirt, dark chocolate brown pants ending in the brown well worn boots, as you look up you find her eyes no longer closed but wide open, fear flashes across them at being discovered though there is a bit of sleep lingering in them aswell as she watches you, much like a hawk watches prey, honey brown eyes set ever so slightly wide and bird like as she tilts her head to the side and studies you.
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Post by Kosga on May 2, 2022 16:43:46 GMT -5
"Sorry to have startled you. I wasn't expecting to find anything out here but more forest, the beaches and the occasional elf." he says. I also step back some in an effort to be less menacing. The being that was standing over you a moment ago appears to be trollish in nature. He is right at 6 feet tall, quite muscular, a twelve pack for abs. He has longer brown hair and deep green eyes. He isn't too hard upon the eyes to look at. Though his voice is gruff. He is wearing a set of plain travelers pants, the shirt is mostly destroyed is mostly just hanging on by threads. I am currently unarmed though there is a great sword across his back and a shield.
I offer a hand to help her up. "I mean you no harm. I am not hungry. I do not understand why everyone is so scared of me when I am hungry? What brings you all the way out here? wherever here is? I was supposed to be at a place called clifton, though this is definately not it." he says.
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