Greyhawk: Against the Giants: Huecuva's Blight

The member 'Valthronis' has done the following action : Dices roll

'd20' : 17

spot check total = 19

Sunsebb 6th, Earthday, 586CY
Oytwood
Scout Party
Time: 08:10:00

Kirak's Results:
Kirak did not see anything amiss when the scout team first headed out.

From this point, after an hour hugging the Olvewater's shores, Clara turns the scout team to the Southwest. She has remained quiet and vigilant, not a sound or figment escapes her scrutiny as she moves softly through the winter forest.

Tanya leans in toward Kirak and whispers,
"Well, so far it's quiet out here."

Clara responds with a whisper.
"And it's best that we also observe in silence."

Kirak Oathbound

Kirak smiled at Tanya loosely, he took silent notice of the various signs of winter all around him. Where the ground had frozen over and was much colder would no doubt make tracking a lot more problematic. Kirak looked at a nearby fallen tree and glared at it for a moment as his mind played tricks on him and he thought he had seen something from beyond it. Kirak immediately dismissed it and continued his search of anything that seemed out of the ordinary. He couldn't help but also take notice of his surrounding as well, from the dead beaten down grass, to the well worn path, to the leaves that lay on the ground in a frozen blanket on the floor of the woods. Everything seemed so lifeless this time of year, that he couldn't help but feel a little depressed by his surroundings.

In that moment the trees carried an unearthly breeze through the air that sent a shiver down Kirak's spine and he looked around once more trying to make out anything that seemed out of place.

Spot Check: +2

The member 'Valthronis' has done the following action : Dices roll

'd20' : 17

(wow)

Results = 19

Sunsebb 6th, Earthday, 586CY
Oytwood
Scout Party
Time: 08:10:06

Kirak's Results:
Kirak catches the glimpse of a shadow on the ground of something flying overhead. When he looks up he only sees a lone hawk soaring above the treeline.

Kirak takes a deep breath and sighs nervously as he eyes the hawk with great care. It takes him a few solid minutes to relax after being somewhat tensed up. For some reason he just couldn’t seem to shake the ominous feeling that seemed to course through his veins. When he finally did take his eyes of the hawk he looked around once more and took notice of his ever changing surroundings as they pushed forward. A small amount of water had gathered into a puddle on the edge of the trail they were moving down at this moment, its peaceful and serene surface was broken from the drop of a leaf that the tree above had deposited onto it. It seemed to almost float in Mid-air for a brief moment before landing.

Kirak coughed slightly as the brisk chill air caught his throat in just the right manner. His eyes traveled once more to Clara and his thoughts once more became preoccupied with how to best approach her. He realized in that moment that he was obsessing and resigned himself to staying on task, and remaining vigil while he continued his trek through the wilderness looking for any signs of trouble.

Sunsebb 6th, Earthday, 586CY
Oytwood
Scout Party
Time: 10:40:06

It's mid-morning and the scout team continues its trek. The clouds blanket more of the sky now, but remain thin and high in altitude. The sun pierces through them, spilling rays of light and warmth to the ground below. The sun is also high on the eastern horizon, a testament to the short days this late in the year.

Clara remains quiet and vigilant. Not a single scurrying creature nearby escapes her notice. The air is still and a little chilly. The trek through the wilderness has allowed the team to remove layers of winter gear as the day warms. The temperature by now is well above freezing, but still brisk. Clara has removed and packed most of her winter gear, keeping a wool hat covering her head and ears. Her warm fur gloves still warm her hands. Tanya has not yet become as comfortable as her woodland counterpart.

The team heads southeast from this point. In a few hours the team will approach the river and then return to the fort.

Clara speaks a whisper,
"We are halfway there. Keep your heads about you and we'll get back to base soon."

Tanya exhales deeply, warm breath condenses with the colder air around her.
"Good. And we should be careful, far to the south is the Olvewater Trade Bridge. It's held by a clan of ogres and orc reinforcements. I don't doubt that they use scout parties as well."

Sunsebb 6th, Earthday, 586CY
Oytwood
Fort Olvewater
Time: 12:14:18

Arlie hears Mel's authoritarian whisper rouse him from his sleep.
"Arlie, rise and shine. Clara's troops spotted two large humanoids on patrol along the western shore. They could be giants, we're not certain. I need everyone up and ready should we have to chase them down."

Mel then quickly exits the Arlie's tent.
"I'm going to get Himo up."

MEL stating "two large humanoids" gets ARLIE's attention. The word "giants" however, sends a shocking cold chill down his spine, making him lurch upright. Thankfully, experience & endurance have long since taught him to just sleep in his armor, so getting ready doesn't take long.

After grabbing his gear, ARLIE is about to rush from his tent, but a thought makes him stop & turn around. He takes a moment & grabs the ring found in the crate & reads the runes on it.

Sunsebb 6th, Earthday, 586CY
Oytwood
Fort Olvewater
Time: 12:14:24

The runes on Arlie's new ring say "Arlie's Ring of Ultimate Survival".

Arlie can hear the calls of small birds in the air outside. The calls are good, but obvious mimicries of birds in the area this time of year (well, obvious to Arlie). The communication is probably between the troops at the fort to communicate movements. It appears that Mel still thinks stealth is an option.

At the moment the troops would have their training take over. The four troops on the upper level of the fort will meet at the western sentry point, bows out and eyes vigilant. The other troops, resting from last night's watch, will be awakened and prepare for battle. They may not have time to prep armor, so they will use either bows or reach weapons, if melee becomes necessary. The canoes were still available should a force need to be on the river for pursuit and missile attacks. Clara's men never left the island between the fort and the western shore, so those three have probably taken cover near trees to watch their new targets.

Please reserve movements to those that can be done in one round.

ARLIE takes a deep breath, puts the ring on, & rushes to join the nearest group on watch.

Sunsebb 6th, Earthday, 586CY
Oytwood
Fort Olvewater
Time: 12:14:30

Arlie puts on the ring and mentally understands that the ring is a ring of sustenance. After being worn for a full week the ring will provide Arlie with nourishment and prevent dehydration (so he does not need to eat or drink). After the week he will only need 2 hours of sleep to get the benefit of resting for a full eight hours (except in the case of spells, which he would need eight hours of down time, two hours of sleep and another six hours of relaxation). So on Sunsebb 13th, next week, the ring's power will take effect as long as it is not removed.

Arlie sees Glassblower and Nydent outside of his tent. Nydent had just be awakened by his noble charge. He has tired eyes, but alert ears. The young elf has grim determination in his eyes, very different from his wide-eyed uncertainty when he first left Lynlai on this expedition only weeks ago. Nydent had come a long way.

Arlie also spotted Forlin coming to one of the ropes, preparing to descend if needed. Ta'heed and two of the fort's troops (Jerry and Malcolm) were heading to the western lookout point. Ta'heed was, of course, far in the lead.

Kip and Terry were already standing at the western sentry post searching the western shore.

Mel was moving through the tents, waking the troops that were resting from the night watch, and moving to rouse Himo.

Glassblower nodded to Arlie.
"Arlie, the Sergent wanted you to move to just along the edge of the island, drop to the ground and see what you can see. Biff, Vic, and Stauder are on the adjacent island. They spotted the targets, but no one else has spotted them yet."

To Condie/Evil:Here is the new map for Fort Olvewater. It's become a bit of a monster. It shows where the Ogres are on the west shore of the Olvewater. However, none of the characters (except CT1-3) have spotted them yet. CT1-3 are also in hiding at the moment and are not making themselves known until there is a change or the threat passes.

Based on GLASSBLOWER's info, ARLIE moves 20' to (65, 25), drops to the ground & spots for opponents at the shore.

Spot +11

The member 'CondieBerks' has done the following action : Dices roll

'd20' : 4

Arlie's spot: 15

Sunsebb 6th, Earthday, 586CY
Oytwood
Fort Olvewater
Time: 12:14:30

Arlie's Results:

Arlie sees nothing along the western edge of the Olvewater.

Sunsebb 6th, Earthday, 586CY
Oytwood
Fort Olvewater
Time: 12:14:36

Mel rushes to Himo's tent. Himo can hear Mel's stern but subdued voice in his dreams.
"Himo, wake up, we have possible opponents on the western shore. We may need another sword arm. They could be giants."

Four other troops come out of there tents ready to combat a possible threat. They keep their voices low and movement to a minimum.

As HIMO wakes up, he grabs his armor and his weapons and says "Giants!!! Great I need a workout."

Sunsebb 6th, Earthday, 586CY
Oytwood
Fort Olvewater
Time: 12:14:36

Ta'Heed moves to the edge of the high ground near the sentry post. The other troops are mobilizing to meet Arlie and to wake the last two members of the squad. Himo is just exiting his tent.

Mel looks at the wild elf,
"Himo, you will have no time to put on your armor if there is a fight."

Arlie hears Ta'heed's voice in his head.
Arlie, Mel, Biff (CT1) is just within my range and he just reported that the large humanoids have stopped moving south. They may have spotted us. I have not been able to spot the targets along the shoreline either.

ARLIE replies to TA'HEED "I haven't seen anything either. I'll work my way closer, but all I can do is hug the ground for cover out here."

He crawls 10' to (64, 27) & spots again for anyone at the west shore.

Spot +11

The member 'CondieBerks' has done the following action : Dices roll

'd20' : 2

Arlie's results

Spot 13

Sunsebb 6th, Earthday, 586CY
Oytwood
Fort Olvewater
Time: 12:14:42

Arlie's Result:

Arlie still cannot see the targets across the river. However, he does get telepathic confirmation from Ta'Heed on the high ground.
Mel, Arlie, Glassblower, I have spotted the large humanoid creatures. They are too far away for any sort of identification, but they are fording the river toward us. I see only two. They are west of the fort, about 180 FEET out.

Ta'Heed relays their location as best as he can.
Ta'Heed's relaying of coordinates allows Mel, Arlie, and Glassblower to make Spot checks with a +5 bonus.

All of the troops have been mustered and are moving to the edge of the tents. Mel and Nydent move so that they are only 25 FEET behind Arlie. Soon they will drop to their knees and await Mel's signal.

FT9 and FT10 are still moving to the sentry post. That will make four troops and Ta'heed giving support from the high ground. If they are not spotted, it's a good bet that Clara's troops will wait until the main force at the fort engages the targets before engaging themselves.