Dragon's Egg - Act II

[Nihal]

((Nooo, she would pull Rydh to the water if he tried to make her swim! *trollface*

Does Nod count as one passenger? Is he a person? >D))

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

((The boat holds 4 - Nod has no effect on seating, so it's 5 with Nod. Let's go with Rydh's exec decision, except that Darin is moved to the next boat and so forth, so we need a third trip. Nod can travel with the rower so there is always an archer.

The first boat: Algernon, Nodrick, Baldhart, Mauve, Sir Matthew.

Second boat: Algernon, Nodrick, Darin, Rydh, Aliron,

Third boat: Algernon, Nodrick, Cadell, Ankari.))

 

[Ireth]

((Works for me. ^^))

 

[SeverinR]

((Rydh has a fox, a chicken, and a bag of corn, that he has to get across the water. The boat will only hold two things at a time. If Rydh leaves the fox with the chicken, the fox will eat the chicken. If Rydh leaves the chicken with the corn, the chicken will eat the corn. How does he get them across?)).

Cooks the corn, kills and plucks the chicken, and the fox and him feast before crossing the water, and waves good bye to the fox as it chews on the bones, because I guarantee there is a thief waiting for what ever you leave behind.

One tactical question, 1st group any archers staying on land? (I don't remember) Aliron and Ankari are in 2nd and third and NOd is in each. As long as there is one archer in each group, we definately have warriors in each group.

Does Nod need to beat rythmn atop Algernon's head? Row, Row, row, Do we really need Nod for each trip?

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

((Right - switch Aliron with Matthew.


The first boat: Algernon, Nodrick, Baldhart, Mauve, Aliron.

Second boat: Algernon, Nodrick, Darin, Rydh, Sir Matthew,

Third boat: Algernon, Nodrick, Cadell, Ankari.))

 

[Ravana]

Does Nod need to beat rythmn atop Algernon's head?

Nope. He has his own way of keeping time.

Nod doesn't need to make each trip, though it might be useful nonetheless. Not for his archery ability: if we can manage the rope trick, and something attacks while we're heading back for the next pickup, he can haul on the rope (it doesn't take much strength to move a boat in the water), freeing Algernon up to defend. Even if we aren't attacked, he'd be available to help keep the boat off the cavern walls while Algernon is hauling on the rope.

If there's more distance than rope, that will be rhetorical, in which case I'd say leave him on the far side after the first trip: one less person in the boat to weigh it down while we're rowing. One shooter isn't going to make much difference; speed will be better.

And with that, I'd say we have our decision. Let's row.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

First boat…

We basically get in the boat as directed by Rydh, but Aliron and Sir Matthew trade positions in case we need an archer standing by. I keep a torch with me, and I have my flint and steel, plus clothing for Nissa. I want to offer to row, but Algernon looks like he really wants to. If he needs an extra rower, of course it's me!

I say to Mauve, "I think the shreds of your old clothes will look good on Nissa." I smile at her. Maybe we're rowing into a death trap, but it's hard not to be cheerful. "What a day, right? A wizard becomes mightier than a barbarian, then a barbarian's magic makes a Valkyrie appear!"

 

[Ravana]

I want to offer to row, but Algernon looks like he really wants to. If he needs an extra rower, of course it's me!

There's more than one paddle—and no oar locks, so Algernon can't use more than one at a time. Whoever wants to take the other on any given trip gets it.

So far, we have 100' of rope. Any more, or is that it?

 

[Steerpike]

The boat cuts through the water with a minimum of noise, save the sound of the oars in the water. Cold seems to emanate from the lake itself, and the air is moist in your lungs. The passage Nodrick saw turns out to be about twenty feet wide. The ceiling is riddles with stalactites of various sizes, and the torch light casts a jumble of shadows across the cavern's ceiling.

You paddle for three or four minutes, making good time, when you notice a bend up ahead. The cavern is easily wide enough for the boat to maneuver around the bend, though you could also choose to pull up near the cavern walls, to the inside of the bend, if you wish to take a more cautious approach to the corner.

 

[Ravana]

The boat cuts through the water with a minimum of noise, save the sound of the oars in the water.

…and Algernon singing "Row, Row, Row Your Boat."

((Toldja he had his own way of keeping time.))

Once reminded about the desirability of quiet, he takes it down to a hum. Too late: first load of passengers is now infected by earworm.

You paddle for three or four minutes, making good time, when you notice a bend up ahead. The cavern is easily wide enough for the boat to maneuver around the bend, though you could also choose to pull up near the cavern walls, to the inside of the bend, if you wish to take a more cautious approach to the corner.

That one, Algernon doesn't need reminded, nor consulted, about. He backs water as soon as it becomes visible. He's in the rear of the boat, so he isn't the who gets to poke his head out, though.

•

P.S. I'm guessing that means the rope trick is out, since no one volunteered additional lengths thereof. Oh, well.

•

P.P.S.

The ceiling is riddles with stalactites of various sizes, and the torch light casts a jumble of shadows across the cavern's ceiling.

…which makes attempts at stealth pretty much academic anyway. Algernon didn't stop the boat because he was thinking about sneaking, anyway; he stopped it because he knows only a complete idiot takes a boat someplace he can't see. Since he's only a partial idiot, it only took twice for this lesson to sink [ahem] in.

 

[Sparkie]

((Rydh has a fox, a chicken, and a bag of corn, that he has to get across the water. The boat will only hold two things at a time. If Rydh leaves the fox with the chicken, the fox will eat the chicken. If Rydh leaves the chicken with the corn, the chicken will eat the corn. How does he get them across?)).

((First, Rydh takes the chicken across the water. He returns empty-handed. Rydh then beseeches his Maker to (a) leave a mathematically impossible soloution posted out-of-character in the game thread and then (b) leave his laptop at home while he goes to work for twelve hours. Rydh laughs as his fellow PC's Makers engage in friendly ribbing and much more thoughtful problem-solving. Rydh has, by now, stopped caring about the task at hand and he takes a lunch break. The Maker returns and, seeing how Rydh has let him down, decides to make the fox unafraid of water. The fox then swims across to the other side and eats the chicken. Rydh returns to find nothing but a sack of corn, a guilty-looking fox, and feathery carnage...))

Meanwhile, back at the point of departure...

Against my better judgement, I approach Ankari. I'm too curious not to.

"You've made it clear that you don't care for the Gods. I understand that. What I'd like to know is this: What does the appearance of Baldhart's guardian spirit mean to you? Do you have an opinion? How does it make you feel?"

 

[SeverinR]

"I've heard of creatures that look like stalagtites dropping on people, I wonder how the boat would do if it were hit by one? Not sure they can survive underwater though."
I see the corner,
"there is no way to sneak forward to see, our torch has illuminated past the corner, so if something is there they know we approach. If lizards await us, we are severely limited in fighting. Any suggestions? Maybe inch forward to peer around the corner, then if need be we back paddle? I think two strong people on oars to get us back would be best."
(I assume since we don't know what is in front, the archer(me) would be in front, the armored people would be in the middle and rear?)
"So if we inch forward I could be ready with an arrow, give a signal to move forward or back, that way we don't draw attention by yelling."

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

I row the most cautious path. My oar is on the side closer to the wall. I can push against the wall to prevent a crash or even stop our motion. To Aliron, I say, "Firing the arrow can be a signal. If you think we have not been spotted and you don't want to shoot, tap my shoulder twice if a silent signal is needed. I'll press my oar on the wall if you do that. Algernon, if you see me stop the boat, I trust you'll follow along. The two of us should be strong enough even if the current picks up.

"If we stop, use your hand to signal me to back off, stay put, or inch forward. If there is any other message you would want to give silently, please tell me now. I'm not used to silent signals as you might be. You probably don't know this about me, but I'm not trained for stealth. Sorry… bad time to joke. But if your signal's not too complicated, I shouldn't have a problem if you want to teach me one or two now."

 

[Nihal]

I say to Mauve, "I think the shreds of your old clothes will look good on Nissa." I smile at her. Maybe we're rowing into a death trap, but it's hard not to be cheerful. "What a day, right? A wizard becomes mightier than a barbarian, then a barbarian's magic makes a Valkyrie appear!"

"Yes. Odd day." I smirk back. It might be a odd day, but it's a good day, for my knowledge just increased. Knowledge, like magic, is power.

"I've heard of creatures that look like stalagtites dropping on people, I wonder how the boat would do if it were hit by one? Not sure they can survive underwater though."

I answer by dropping my cloak and removing my new footwear. Before we left I had already removed other pieces of clothing, standing only in a linen tunic and trousers.

 

[Steerpike]

Algernon and Baldhart take the boat slowly to the wall, where a combination of a paddling and using hands against the wall allows the boat to edge around the corner. The light of the torch has preceded the boat by a bit, and potentially heralds the arrival of the party, though any negative effect in that regard has been greatly surpassed by Algernon's loud singing as the party made their less than stealthy trip through the tunnel.

Peering around the corner, Aliron sees that the tunnel continues about forty feet to a wide, rocky shore. A ten-foot wide tunnel much like the ones you've come from disappears into the darkness beyond that shore. Aliron is able to see this because two large, pale stones are placed at either end of the shore and they emanate a dim, white light.

Also positioned along the shoreline are a number of piles of debris, anything from rocks to pieces of splintered, rotting timber, to a few storage barrels that now molder near the new tunnel ahead.

All appears to be quiet.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

"Aliron," I say in a whisper, though I'm well aware of how silly the whispering is with Algernon's singing. "Will you be able to spot a trap while we're moving? If not just tell me to stop."

I look at Mauve. "Nice shoes, by the way." I see she removed them. "You fight well in your mermaid form, but I hope you get to stay dry."

 

[Nihal]

"Sir Cadell sewed them for me while I slept." A half smile twist the corner of my mouth. "You have a curious definition of 'mermaid'. Aye, I would rather stay dry, but if it comes to a fight I don't wish to ruin these shoes."

I stretch my neck, attempting to see what lies ahead.

 

[Ravana]

Algernon and Baldhart take the boat slowly to the wall, where a combination of a paddling and using hands against the wall allows the boat to edge around the corner. The light of the torch has preceded the boat by a bit, and potentially heralds the arrival of the party, though any negative effect in that regard has been greatly surpassed by Algernon's loud singing as the party made their less than stealthy trip through the tunnel.

I did say he took it down pretty quickly. Though I figure it isn't going to matter much either way. If they haven't already figured out by now we're in the tunnels and coming their way, there isn't much we could do to worsen our situation.

Peering around the corner, Aliron sees that the tunnel continues about forty feet to a wide, rocky shore. A ten-foot wide tunnel much like the ones you've come from disappears into the darkness beyond that shore. Aliron is able to see this because two large, pale stones are placed at either end of the shore and they emanate a dim, white light.

Also positioned along the shoreline are a number of piles of debris, anything from rocks to pieces of splintered, rotting timber, to a few storage barrels that now molder near the new tunnel ahead.

Are any of these "piles" sufficiently large that they could easily conceal ambushers?

Not that Algernon cares all that much: to him the only difference is whether we paddle up casually or.…

"Okay. We turn the boat, line it up straight—then Baldhart puts her oar down, so's she can have her sword ready. I row full speed, ever'body else jumps out soon as we hit ground. Don' worry 'bout helping me row: if we ain't doin' the strokes t'gether, it slows it down 'stead o' making it faster."

Which only leaves the question of whether this is going to be a Utah Beach or a Gallipoli.…

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

I reply to Mauve, "A woman above, a fish below. Maybe above and below water, not above and below the waist. Anyway, I always imagined a mermaid would fight well, not just sit on a rock nursing starfish as men on passing ships ogle."

Surprisingly, Algernon's words are serious as they are sensible.

"Very well." I draw my sword. "Hop on, Nod. We move when we can, attack if we must. If not, I turn the boat and send off our singing ferry man."

 

[SeverinR]

"ahead slow." I whisper watching for any movement.
"We need to search the area as soon as we land. Once the boat leaves we will have no where to go if attacked. If we must fight, know we can't flee and I doubt they will take prisoners."

"If anything attacks before we land, if one or two, we try to take them, if more we must retreat and find another way. There is no way to fight divided in such small groups."

"I might suggest a more quiet voyage next trip. The songs you sing could bring a group to check, which would probably be the death of us."

"Just to be clear, if you hear fighting, bring the next group as fast as possible. Do not return to us alone."