DreamLyrics™ Play-by-Post Forums Hall of Fame - Latest Top 10 completed games LMP: Lost Mines of Phandelver N.3.1.2 Wyvern Tor

DM
This crag is a prominent landmark in the rugged hills northeast of the Sword Mountains, and is easily visible from twenty miles away. The tor is clearly visible from the Old Owl Well. You are only about ten miles away. It is still morning so you've determined that you'll make it there long before dusk. The trip is uneventful as the way there is somewhat flat even though the large hill is surrounded by rugged terrain. But now that you are there, you need to find the orc camp. They could be anywhere. What do you do?

(OOC - Bang on my shield and yell "Orcs!"? Oh, sorry, wrong game )

Jaliera

"I'll send Whisper to scout the area to see if she picks up anything."

She talks to her little friend and sends the bird aloft.

"What are we thinking? Making an assault? Finding a vantage point and observing numbers and general behaviour? "

She looks around at the others to see what their general demeanour is.

Kriv

The Dragonborn seemed thoughtful.

"Let's see if they conform to the pattern, bugbear leadership element or similar. A good idea of numbers will help, the last thing we want is to be overcome by these savages."

Davroar

He is looking a little bit nervous when Kriv comments about the possibility of being overrun by amount of orcs that could be living here. It is a good idea though to find out as much as they can before they all try to venture inside.

"I could try to get inside as a rat. Long as orcs aren't hungry if I'm spotted..."

[ooc: Zeim, our FTF game isn't for a few weeks still ]

[ooc2: Gypsy, I'll need you to roll your owl's perception roll]

(I need a Lingo post in my thread)

Chandan

He's glad to be leaving Kost to his own devices, and back on the trail of Gundren Rockcutter.

Wyvern Tor could be a tough nut to crack though, and even if they can capture a orc, extracting directions to Cragmaw Castle is likely to involve unpleasantness.

Could trickery gain them the information without bloodshed? They still have the Redbrand cloaks and some insider knowledge about the Spider. The success of such a ruse would depend on the allegiance of the Wyvern Tor orcs. If they are loyal to, or at least fearful of the Spider, it might just work.

Chandan shares his thoughts on the way over, so that by the time they're in the tor's shadow, his companions have some idea of his idea.

Kriv

Though hardly welcoming to anything of that particular origin, the Dragonborn did at least give the idea due consideration.

"Subterfuge? Possible. A great many unknowns, so a high degree of risk. We know the Ruffians were all human, and if I recall correctly, all male. It would be commiting yourself and Davroar, or just yourself if we conduct Davroar's reconnaissance by rat at the same time, lest we tip our hand through basic discrepancies. If you're willing to take that risk, I have no objection to trying."

Chandan

He nods to Kriv. They may have little time to discuss the finer points, since they've yet to locate the raider's camp. As a party they need to be gone by nightfall, or they'll be sitting ducks for an orc attack.

Chandan turns to Davroar.

"If we find the camp and I go in, you could come with me as an animal with big teeth perhaps? May help convince them." He suggests, then bows his head to Jaliera, "Meanwhile, we rely on your owl to guide us."

[Ooc will do!

perception = 19

Davroar

"The goblins used wolves as guard dogs. I could accompany you in that form Chandan - you as a Redbrand and myself as a gift to the orcs. It might work, but as Kriv said, it'll be risky."

DM

While the others discuss possible strategies, Whisper flies around the large hill while Jaliera looks through her owl eyes. The young trickster has only started to become acclimated to sight through another's eyes. The first issue that she finds is that she needs to be within 100 feet of the owl to see out of it's eyes or communicate telepathically with it. That distance is much shorter than she needs it to be to scout such a large area. She also learns that she loses her ability to see and hear when this connection to the owl is made.

ooc: FYI, you rolled a success on the perception roll but what it means is that you'll be within only a few hundred feet away from the orcs when you do find them. I'll allow for you to role play it as you deal with the sight/telepathy and the related blindness issue. Also, even if you failed the roll, you would have gotten another roll and another and another. Each time you rolled would mean an hour of search time was used.

Jaliera

As Whisper returns, she strokes and praises the little owl before turning to the others.

"That was weird. I was seeing through her eyes. Wonderful experience but in some ways limiting. She can only go so far and keep in contact with me, so only local scouting works. Also means that's all I can see or hear is through her. Could leave me a bit vulnerable. And no sign of the orcs that close. Which in some ways is good, in others not so good."

She frowns slightly, wondering how she might do better.

"And I hear your plan.. but I don't like it. We are stronger together. We've had trouble when we get separated, so to do it on purpose doesn't seem such a great idea. If it works, great. But if it doesn't, could be a total disaster."

She looks concerned.

Chandan

To see through the eyes of others is one of the foundations of true wisdom. What wisdom might a small, crepuscular bird convey? After all, owls are noted to be wise.

Chandan doesn't dwell too long on the thought. They have a more pressing concern.

"Maybe you right. But until we find orc camp, it not matter either way." He says.

He leads on, plotting a route around the tor. If orcs have occupied the summit, they will have found the easiest way up and down, and that will have worn a footpath that they can follow. They just have to cross it first.

Davroar

"Instead of being in direct contact with Whisper, could you let her go scouting on her own to cover more ground?"

He is not sure just how intelligent the owl is, yet hopes that Whisper could follow at least some simple commands when not directly controlled and then report back to Jaliera.

Jaliera

"Don't know. I could try."

She pictures orcs, pictures Whisper flying in the sky and seeing them down below and after keeping a safe distance, returning back to her.

DM

Whisper seems to understand and starts to fly away and disappears from Jaliera's mental view. The young rogue's eyes blink into focus and she seems momentarily startled as the transition occurs and her view suddenly changes.

The group waits now. Every so often they see Whisper make a turn over the mountain or rise from a tree. Eventually, a good hour later, she returns and approaches to with thirty feet away. Jaliera is able to reconnect with Whisper who is flapping her wings excitedly. As soon as the connection is made, familiar turns and starts to lead the group toward the mountain.

The faint smell of smoke hangs on the air as you ascend a rugged ridge on the lower slopes of the hill. Fifty yards away, a cave mouth opens up at the bottom of a ravine. Hunkered down by a boulder twenty yards outs ide the cave, keeping watch , is a single orc.

Kriv

Quietly,

"A lone watchman would change things, if he is truly alone. Options include dropping him before he raises the alarm, or trying the Redbrand ruse on him alone."

Jaliera

She makes a fuss of Whisper, giving her small friend a tidbit for being so clever.

"To take him out we would need distance attacks.. and be sure of succeeding. My bow would probably reach. Magic.. maybe?"

She looks at Kallista to see what she thinks.

Kallista

Moving quietly she follows along and once they spot the Orc she ducks back out of sight so they can plan.

Kallista Stealth
Zeim rolled d20+2 and got 15

Davroar

He will quickly find cover with the others and hopes they have not been spotted yet.

Davroar Stealth
Dugan rolled 1d20 and got 12