Completed [Play-by-Post] Magic World/BRP: "In Search of the Sorcerer"

[nikolokolus]

"Riding horses? Erm... Has anybody here done so before? I do not wish to hurt our four legged furry friends, and I wouldn't mind some pointers.
By the way, Aphrodisias, does Mynydd Torri *mean* anything especially?"

Aphrodisias replies, "It's Pictish, 'Broken Hill' is how it translates I think?"

RIDING SKILL EXPLAINED

The 'Ride Skill' is one of those things that are considered nearly ubiquitous in antiquity (or at least for adventurous characters in an RPG, which is why everyone starts with a base 35%).

The underlying assumption is that you are sitting in a saddle, trotting or possibly galloping for short stretches with no need of a skill check. However, when you want to do something like vault into a saddle, ride bareback, spur your mount on beyond its normal endurance, fight from the saddle, stay mounted when you are injured in battle, or outrun other riders, that's when a "Ride check" will come in. For example if you are mounted and fighting with a sword and shield, both of those skills are capped at the ride skill value.

 

[nikolokolus]

Unsettled and a little bewildered, you each stroll back to Fidach's hostelry and try to get what sleep you can before heading back out into the wilds.

It's still dark when Brule gently shakes each of you awake. "Come friends, dawn breaks. Ymae told me a little of what you saw last night. I spoke with the village council and and Domelch has agreed to give you some fine geldings from his herd. Eat and refresh yourselves."

A breakfast of porridge and eggs, washed down with cool ale is consumed quickly. Brule interjects, "If you've anything left to do or need anything for what lays ahead, let me know. Ymae told me where you're going and wanted me to draw a map. I've no great hand with quill and ink, but I think it'll do. Honestly though, once you're through Balor's Notch, you'll see Mynnydd Torri on the horizon; it lies in the barrens just before you get to the Coedwyg Cyfnos -- The Dusk Wood. It looks sort of like a head with a broken crown from certain angles."

 

[Grimgravy]

Spoiler

Did Aphrodisias get a chance to check out Ru's feather cloak?

 

[nikolokolus]

Spoiler

Did Aphrodisias get a chance to check out Ru's feather cloak?

Spoiler

It didn't appear to be enchanted

 

[Grimgravy]

"It sounds easy enough to find. Let's not tarry."

 

[nikolokolus]

Brule nods and escorts you across the causeway. At the other end, a young man stands with Elder Dolmech holding the reins of seven shaggy horses that look more like ponies. Brule hands over the map, "Young Drust here will show you the way to the pass." Dolmech interjects, "They're a bit thin from the long winter, but they're hardy and will get you where you need to go. I just wanted to say 'thank you' one more time. We owe you all a huge debt. If you find those curs Uvan and his cur Rashid, please give them a good kick in the teeth for me would you?" He grins and slaps Urash a bit too enthusiastically on the shoulder.

Brule nods, "I wish I could go with you, especially knowing that Oona might still be out there alive, but I've already recieved word from one of our hunters that our enemies the Caereni may be moving against us from across the lake. I don't know how they could know Talorc is dead, but something is afoot. Stay safe friends and may Cailleach avert her gaze from your path."

 

[Llywelyn ap Gruffydd]

Cormac starts loading his horse with his equipment and bags. "If they know Talorc is dead, perhaps you have a spy living in your midst?"

 

[nikolokolus]

Brule nods, "That's what I was thinking. No matter, we'll be ready for them. Perhaps the Dubh Sleagh will strike fear into their hearts?"

 

[Siveon]

"Stay safe. We'll be back with Oona before you've even realized we were gone." Marcán chooses his steed and gets ready to ride.

 

[L'ennui]

"And that rat Rashid will be getting more than a kick in the teeth from me..." grumbles Urash as he takes the reins of one of the smallish horses.

 

[Wayward Son]

"Just for this ride, methinks Rashid may end up on the bloody end of a spear." Mab grudgingly mounts the horse, definitely without the agility of the others.

 

[Grimgravy]

"I've no doubt you will prevail. They must be craven to seek advantage after the evil Crannogmere has faced." Rhenmyr says mounting up.

 

[Helly]

"Such useless violence. We will have to take all the *truth* from them first. Whatever the means." Ker tries to look at ease, but horses were rare in his forest and he has had little training.

 

[nikolokolus]

The stocky mares are amiable enough and the way going along the lake shore proves easy riding. It's about mid-afternoon when Drust veers away from the Loch Oerni and starts to climb a narrow, steep-sided gully. The horses plod behind in single-file, unfazed by the precipitous drop. Drust leads on and eventually a you reach a flattened vale that spreads out before you about two miles up the gulch. At the head of the valley, where the stream tumbles down into the gorge behind you, lies a low-walled tower made of unmortared stone standing sentinel against the harsh, bitterly cold winds that sweep down off of the hills here.

Drust dismounts and walks over to a the stream lets his horse get a drink, "Alright friends. Just keep on this trail next to the river through the mountains. By the end of the day you should be close to Balor's Notch -- a squeeze-way near the summit of the ridge." He looks around warily, "This is the edge of Caledonii land. Beyond this is Mountain Pict country; cannibalistic savages that worship old dark gods it's said." He glances sheepishly at Mab, "No offense. So take care."

He finishes watering his horse, vaults into the saddle and waves his hand in farewell, before spurring his horse into a trot down the trail.

 

[Grimgravy]

"Thank you for bringing us this far, Drust." Rhenmyr waters his horse as well and has a bit of hard tack, then prepares to move on.

 

[L'ennui]

Before watering his horse, Urash cups his new avian friend into both hands and whispers to it:

"Go before us, and come back if you sense danger. Do you understand, old Maru? Go that way." Urash points in the direction they must follow. "Come back if you sense danger. Godspeed, friend."

 

[nikolokolus]

The crow cocks its head to the side as Urash whispers to it. When Urash finishes speaking there is a long pause before the bird launches itself into the air and starts to soar across the valley.

 

[Siveon]

"Some bird. Should we wait or move onward?"

 

[Llywelyn ap Gruffydd]

Spoiler

I'm back in Murica so I can actually participate in the right time zone again.

 

[L'ennui]

"I think we shouldn't waste any time. We should get moving."

 

[nikolokolus]

After a brief rest, you spur your horses into a trot and cruise over the marshy turf at the bottom of the small valley. After about a half-hour, Urash's raven comes soaring low over the ground and settles on his shoulder, "Caw! Caw! Caw!" it croaks insistently. You look up and scan the horizon, but nothing immediately catches your eye.

 

[Helly]

Spoiler

From where did he came back?

 

[Grimgravy]

"Do you understand the bird? If you think there is danger, I can scout ahead."

 

[nikolokolus]

Spoiler

From where did he came back?

The west -- the end of the valley close to the mountains.

 

[nikolokolus]

"Do you understand he bird? If you think there is danger, I can scout ahead."

Bird Talk

Urash doesn't speak "avian" At best, a successful insight roll will give you a hint.