JIANGU! Chapter 5, Scene 3 QingShan Province

[crueldespot]

JIANGU! Chapter 5, Scene 3 QingShan Province

With their new horses and loot, the henchmen continue cross country until they rejoin the road West of Shen, having bypassed the checkpoint to QingShan Province. It is only a short distance to the next village, The golem trots along behind Termix as before.

A few of them are wounded, worst of all Nimdor, whose ears are bleeding from the kick that Brother Cobra dealt him.

Suddenly Termix hears a message from Golock, transmitted magically with a spell of sending

“I just learned imperial pretender General Guanmiyan sent his nephew to waylay the golem. Politely refuse to hand it over. Beware charm spells. Reply!”



OOC: Termix may reply with a message of 25 words or less.

Also, where do you plan to stop and what type of accommodations are you looking for? The group has been traveling for four hours so far.

http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/9843/qingshanba9.jpg

http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/2118/aikoudomainez7.jpg

[generaljimX]

Not but the least bit surprised that Golock could get the message to him, Termix relays a message back. "Already encountered 'pretenders'. Hostilities broke out. No allied casualties. Back on track to delivery; delay taken care of."

[Black Plauge]

Hearing Termix speak in such a clipped and percise tone, Fugen looks around to see who he is talking to.

[crueldespot]

JIANGU! Chapter 5, Scene 3:1 Intersection

A mile further down the road, the henchmen pass through a village in QingShan province. This is a familiar route to them, since they went the same way enroute to their last adventure.

This village, like others near Dian Province, is dealing with the influx of refugees. As time passes by, the crisis seems to be diminishing. The refugees are either migrating further away, selling themselves into slavery, or finding work. Many are joining the local militia, private armies, or the imperial legion.

In the afternoon they reach the intersection that leads north to Huoyanshan Province. Last time they turned here, but this time they continue west.

After a couple more miles, they reach another village. Here the highway turns southwest towards BangXie Province. Side roads lead northwest and southeast.

Nimdor came this way from BangXie Province, so he knows that the highway to the southwest will have inns and hamlets are regular intervals. According to locals, the road to the northwest heads up into rough hills. After five miles it enters an upland valley of farms and ranches, then eventually crosses over into Miao Province.



OOC:
Current location 19N/10.5W

[Linklegacy77]

"Alright, I've held it in as long as I could stand to, but that kick hurt one hell of a lot more than I've been playing it out. Anybody have any way to help me out here? I feel like I'm going to be knocked out. I hate to admit it, but I'm of no use in a fight. My talents lie elsewhere."

[Exarzun]

Flarrgj luaghs not unkindly at the halflings outburst.

"Is not your job, that, is my job." He says, smiling.

[trendel]

"Calm down my new friend. I have spent most of my favor with the Four Royals already today, but I can do a little for you."

Guiding his pony towards Nimdor, Gizerak says a couple prayers, and the healing magics help in a small way.

"A thought has occured to me. We seem to attract violence since we have been working for Golock. I seem to find myself stretched to the limit after each battle as I try to keep us healed and able to continue on. Perhaps we should think about purchasing a wand in the next town that would aid us in battlefield medicine. I do not have enough coin on my own to purchase it, but if we all chipped in, I think we would all benefit. I will continue to brew us potions in my spare time as well, but I fear I won't have any time until after this mission has completed. What does everyone think? If you all agree, we should stop in the next town that we can and find a wand as soon as possible."

OOC: channel two 0 level spells into Cure Minor Wounds on Nimdor.

[Mercutio]

"So, since we need to rest, any thoughts on how we rest with a golem companion? It would be nice if he could do the watching for us so we could all sleep, but I guess that could lead to some major trouble. I'm all for sleeping off a wound or two, and Heaven knows when we'll meet that monk guy again. Rest assured, that's one guy I don't want to face again soon. He's pretty nimble, and damn hard to hit."

[Black Plauge]

Signing, Fugen suggests finding a farmer looking to make some extra money who has a barn where they could spend the night. It was doubtful that any inn would allow the golem inside, and the group really should stay close enough to it to keep an eye on it through the night. Golock had said that it would defend itself if attacked, but that in any combat it could go beserk. It wouldn't do to have the golem go beserk because some kid threw a rock at it. In a barn they could rest in out of the weather and out of sight while at the same time keeping a proper eye on the golem.

[crueldespot]

JIANGU! Chapter 5, Scene 3:2 Recovery

Setting: The middle of QingShan Province 10.5 miles West and 19 miles North of Shan Mountain, 9th Morning of Midsummer, 300th Year of the Monkey

Foregoing any further travel for the day, the henchmen make arrangements for lodging in a barn at the edge of the village. This time of recovery serves them well. In the morning they feel greatly refreshed.


OOC:
Everyone recovers lvl x hp for overnight rest + 2hp to Nimdor.

1gp each for food, lodging, and stabling.

Sadly, the max limit for purchases in a village is 200gp (as per p137 of the DMG). To buy a wand of CLW you will need to visit a small town or larger settlement.

[generaljimX]

Termix wakes up and strectches wide. Ehm...where am I? Oh, yes. He then looks for the golem, as a natural reaction to having something as vaulable as it in your possesion.

[trendel]

After praying the night before, Gizerak wakes refreshed and full of is deity's blessing. Taking stock of the groups wounds, he wanders over to Flaargj and casts a spell on him.

The familiar feeling of flames scouring away the pain covers the large man's body.

"Is that better my friend?"

OOC: channel a cure moderate wounds spell on Flaargj.

Spells currently prepared:
0th: Detect Magic, Light, Mending, Read Magic, Resistance
1st: Bless, Doom, Obscuring Mist (Domain: Burning Hands)
2nd: Hold Person, Summon Monster II (Domain: Produce Flame)

[Linklegacy77]

As usual for him, Nimdor is the first one up, and is ready to go.

[treehouse]

Kierna comes out of reverie and joins her companions in their morning rituals.

"Are we still going to take the same route we had originally planned? It seems as if our enemies will soon send more pursuers to relieve us of the golem. And since we've soundly defeated a force whose power rivaled our own, I feel that we will be faced with overwhelming opposition next time."

She glances at them in turn.

"Not that I'm afraid to die. But we have a responsibility to Golock."

[generaljimX]

"Other than the monk," Termix says, "I had a rather easy time. And I still had quite a few spells left after the encounter as well."

[Exarzun]

Flarrgj nods his apreciation to the cleric, thanking him for the healing. He sits as the group discusses there direction and purpous, munching quietly on a dry breakfast.

[crueldespot]

JIANGU! Chapter 5, Scene 3:2 The Northwest Road

Finding the golem undisturbed, the henchmen resume their march as before, leaving the highway for the road that leads northwest out of the village.

It is nothing like the highway. The paved highway was crowded with travelers. This is a back road to a remote province. The road is unpaved, and there is almost no other traffic. A few farmers are leaving the village at the same time as the henchmen, but the henchmen outpace them, and soon find themselves alone on the road. After a mile, the road begins to climb a range of hills. They no longer see any cultivated fields or pastures. This is a wilderness.

After an hour, they have passed the crest of the ridge. The road still winds through the forested hills.

Termix hears another message from Golock:
“Did you kill Renge? If so, any witnesses? Number seven in line for throne. Reply.”



OOC:
Flarrgj is healed for 15 pts. Current coordinates: 12.5W/21N.

[generaljimX]

"Unfortunately, Renge's dead. At least 5 witnesses. Left henchmen of his alive, thus this. No other witnesses that we know of." Termix replies to his grandfather. He hadn't really expected another message, or that Renge was actually in line for the throne. Man are we in for it...... Termix then relays this new information to the rest of the group. "Guys," he begins. "Renge was in line for the throne. Seventh according to Golock. I'm pretty damn sure that Brother Cobra is bringing reinforcments next time...."

[Linklegacy77]

"Oh damn, that's not good."

[treehouse]

Kierna shrugs. "The land is full of heirs. Renge would have been a terrible Emperor, with that foolhardy assertiveness of his. But yes, we are in trouble."

[Mercutio]

Linus rolls his eyes. "Wonderful. Guess we better hurry up and drop off this golem before we meet Brother Cobra again. That guy was trouble."

[Black Plauge]

Frowning at this news, Fugen shrugs his shoulders. There was little that could be done about it now and Regne had instructed his ally to initiate the hostilities. Still, some additional distance between them and the site of the battle would be nice. Turning to the others, he suggests that they hustle for a bit right now and at the begining of each day from now on. In that manner they will speed up the completion of their mission without over burdening the horses.

[crueldespot]

JIANGU! Chapter 5, Scene 3:3 The Road Forks

When the henchmen attempt to hustle, they find themselves leaving the golem behind. The mechanical man was already hustling to keep up with their mounts. Once they double their speed, the golem is outpaced.

They descend from the forested ridgeline into a valley of rolling hills. Here they find farms, orchards, and grazing land. They pass scattered thorps and hamlets. The density of settlement here is less than along the highway, and there is still little traffic on the road except for a few farmers on foot that they pass.

These locals, and those they see in the houses by the road, are amazed by the golem. They point and stare.

At the end of their second hour on the road, the road forks. One fork continues West. The other heads South.



OOC:
Current coordinates 16.5W/21N

[Black Plauge]

Disappointed by their in ability to go any faster because of the limits of the golem, Fugen is forced to content himself with the slower speed. If Brother Cobra was able to recruit others to his cause and catch them, then they would just have to deal with that when the time came.

At the fork in the road, Fugen does a quick double check of the map in his head before concluding that they wanted the road that continued west. They still needed to cross Miao province and then into ZhiYi before heading northwest into Deng. Indeed, if the maps Fugen had consulted were correct, they would not take any southward branching road until CaoYuan, and then only if necessary to reach the army.

[trendel]

Trying to see the maps the courier was holding, Gizerak has a quick conversation with Fugen to see what his thoughts are. After Fugen relays his thoughts, Gizerak nods in agreement.

"By Fugen's calculations and the maps he has, we need to continue west."

[treehouse]

"Then with all haste, let us continue west."

Kierna is anxious to put some distance between themselves and the battle site; she still has a lingering feeling that she somehow contributed to the previous day's bloodshed, despite her strong opinions about Renge's ultimate responsibility for how things turned out.

[Mercutio]

"West it is." Linus, knowing full well that he has no head for maps, simply follows along. He glances at the golem from time to time, still amazed at the power of his employer.

[Linklegacy77]

"Of course, west."

Once the group leaves again, Nimdor engages Linus in a conversation in Halfling regarding their talents.

[crueldespot]

JIANGU! Chapter 5, Scene 3:4 Rope Bridge

After the intersection, the road becomes even narrower. A mile further, they enter another stretch of rough terrain, unmarked by human habitation.

A peasant on foot carrying a heavy load passes them heading east. He frowns and shakes his head when he sees the horses and golem, but says nothing.

A couple of miles further they reach the Grave River. In fact, the river is about two hundred feet below them. They have reached the edge of a cliff overlooking a deep river canyon. The appearance of the canyon reminds Termix of the deep canyon of the Upper Swift River, forty miles to the northeast.

A rope bridge leads across the canyon to Miao Province on the far side. The bridge seems to be in good repair, but how strong is it?



OOC:
DC15 to ride (ride skill) or lead (handle animal) a horse across the rope bridge.

[Exarzun]

Flarrgj frowns and inspects the rope bridge, dubius of it's strength and it's ability to hold up his great mass, then the golum comes back to mind, who is even heviar then him, not to mention the horses.

"This could be a problem...." he mutters to himself.

[trendel]

"Fugen...do your maps show any other places nearby that we could possible cross the river?"

[Black Plauge]

Getting out his maps, Fugen makes a notation on them about the rope bridge, silently cursing them for not having those kind of pertinant details on them already. He then eaxmines them for another possible spot to cross, but can find none closeby.

Turning to Gizerak, he signs to indicate that if they didn't cross here, then by the map the would have to back track to the highway and then head either south to cross on the highway bridge into BangXie, or head north and pass above the marked headwaters into ShiHuTong before cutting cross country to get back on track. In either case they'd waste at least a day's travel on such a detour.

Dismounting, Fugen walks out to the middle of the bridge to gauge its strength as best he can, and to get a measure of the width of the gorge. Once out there, he also looks at the walls on either side of the canyon in both directions as far as he can see, hoping to spy some alternative route.

[Mercutio]

Linus' eyes roll around woozily. The thought of being suspended above a gorge with only a flimsy rope bridge as support was not a comforting thought to the halfling. This was way beyond a simple fear of heights. He watches as Fugen heads out to the middle of the bridge, hoping that there is some other way across that doesn't waste a day of travel.

[Linklegacy77]

Nimdor walks up onto the rope bridge, to test the strength of it.

[generaljimX]

"We're definately going to have to go across one at a time," Termix says. "Unless the unfortunate happens...."

[trendel]

"What's the verdict, Fugen? Do you think it would hold the golem?"

"If the bridge is not strong enough, we need to choose which way to go. Though it is more well know the crossings to the south offer more opportunity for our enemies to catch us. If we were to go through the wilderness, we would be less likely to be chased, but have no guarantee that we will save time, to say nothing of getting lost."

"I have faith in Kierna's abilities though, and would rather not fight anymore for the time being, I would vote for going north past the headwaters."

[treehouse]

Kierna shrugs.

"If we need to blaze our own trail, I can certainly do that. But if we have rope and pitons, we might be able to strengthen the bridge's existing supports. How much did your grandfather say the golem weighs, Termix?"

[Exarzun]

Flarrgj walks over to the edge and pears down the canion to see how deep it is and maybe what is at the botem.

[generaljimX]

Termix looks off into the distance, recollecting the weight of the golem. His hand moves mindlessly and stops just before he speaks. "600 pounds, give or take. You think the bridge can hold that much, Fugen? We could send it across by itself, after some of us are on the other side...."

[crueldespot]

JIANGU! Chapter 5, Scene 3:5 The Gorge

None of the henchmen have any engineering expertise, and their opinions vary widely about the strength of the bridge. The ropes and planks are in good repair, with no frays, cracks, or rot. It seems strong when any of the henchmen venture out onto it, but how can a person under 200 pounds test the capacity to hold a 1200 pound horse?

The golem would not be the greatest challenge to the bridge, as it only weighs about half as much as one of the horses.

The bridge is 100 yards long. It was located on one of the narrower points along the gorge. Further up and downstream the widge varies up to 300 yards wide. From the middle of the bridge, it appears to Fugen that the gorge is deeper upstream to the north and grows more shallow as the river flows south. The gorge is very steep at this point, and Fugen cannot see any paths leading down into the gorge.



OOC:
5,3:5 (1d20=4, 1d20=9, 1d20=1, 1d20=18, 1d20=11, 1d20=3, 1d20=4, 1d20=8, 1d20=17, 1d20=4, 1d20=17, 1d20=1, 1d20=13, 1d20=13, 1d20=2, 1d20=13, 1d20=20, 1d20=4, 1d20=6, 1d20=12) (http://invisiblecastle.com/find.py?id=684378)

[Linklegacy77]

"Hmmm, if the lightest takes one of the horses across, it might just work if we go one at a time. The golem may be large, but it couldn't be heavier than one of these horses. The only challenge is that it displaces it's weight less effectively... What do you all want to do?"

[generaljimX]

"I think the lightest will wind up making more than one trip," Termix says, thinking over the situation. "Perhaps we can put the golem and several of us on the bridge at the same time to approximate how much weight the bridge can hold?"

[Exarzun]

Flarrgj frowns, contemplating the problem, only really listening to the others so that he knows whats going on. Out of no where, he asks, looking at the two spell casters;

"Do you not have magic that could help?"

[generaljimX]

"I could, but the horse wouldn't have enough consciousness to accept the spell, much less use it."

[treehouse]

Kierna grins at Termix.

"Using us -or the golem- to test the bridge's stability seems to bypass the point of caution."

She looks around the nearby terrain for something that could approximate the weight of a horse, because she wasn't about to let the others use an actual horse for this sort of thing.

[any boulders around here that Flarrgj could roll onto the bridge?]

[crueldespot]

Kierna sees some big boulders nearby, but nothing round enough to roll. There are also some fallen trees. Unfortunately, anything heavy enough to approximate the weight of a horse is therefore also too heavy to carry.



OOC: Consult the carrying capacity chart in the PHB. You could work together, rig the boulders or trees to drag, or take multiple trips to pile items on the bridge for this test. If the test proves the bridge is not strong enough, the result is that the tester will fall into the gorge with rocks instead of falling in with a horse.

[Linklegacy77]

"Well, I guess we have a choice then. Proceed onward without horses, or go around."

[generaljimX]

"Well I wasn't saying stay on until it broke," Termix says. "Just get enough weight to realize the bridge is or isn't going to hold the weight of a horse....."

[Mercutio]

"Well, we need to make a decision here. Either we cross now with the mounts and do our best to keep them from freaking out, or we head around, but we need to come to a conclusion sooner rather than later. The faster we get done, the less likely we'll be to meet up with Brother Cobra again."

[Black Plauge]

Much to far to jump, even with magic. If only there was a place where we could find a gap narrow enough to jump.

Thinking about adding strength to the bridge, Fugen also quickly comes to the conclusion that any rope the party had wasn't likely to be long enough to span the whole length, so that wouldn't help either.

Coming off the bridge, Fugen suggests that they head south along the edge of the gorge. It seemed to get shallower in that direction, so they would be more likely to find a crossing.

It was either that, or attempt to bring the horses across a rope bridge that might not be strong enough to hold them. If only there was a way to query the gods about the matter, Fugen laments at the end of his suggestion.

[crueldespot]

JIANGU! Chapter 5, Scene 3:6 Horse Across the Bridge

The henchmen continue to argue and consider various courses of action. Some think aloud and discuss their ideas. Others stare at the bridge quiety and keep their thoughts to themselves.

After about an hour, they are interrupted by the appearance of another traveller. A middle aged peasant carrying a heavy pack and a walking staff appears on the road behind them. "Excuse me" he says. "Waiting for someone? You must be, 'cause no one could get a horse across this bridge."

As he sets off across the gorge, another traveller appears on the far side, heading the opposite direction. The traveller across the gorge is leading a heavily-burdened packhorse. He wraps a canvas over the horse's head so that it can't see, and pulls it out onto the bridge. Once the bridge begins to sway, the horse balks. It's owner whips it mercilessly and drags on the reins, finally winning the battle of wills. Reluctantly the horse crosses the bridge.

The first traveller sees that he cannot get past the horse coming the opposite way, so he retreats back to the henchmen's side of the gorge. "I stand corrected" he admits.

Eventually the packhorse and it's driver reach the QingShan side of the bridge. The first traveller bows and hustles across the bridge to Miao province.

The horse's owner regards the henchmen warily, especially after seeing the golem. He removes the canvas from the horse's eyes.



OOC: NPC takes 10 to handle animal vs DC15. Success.

[Black Plauge]

Well, that sort of settles the issue. Fugen thinks as he watches the peasent pull of the exact feat they had been hemming and hawing about.

No longer in doubt about whether the bridge can hold the weight, Fugen now considers wheather or not he can coax Fig across the bridge.

Signing, Fugen asks one of the halflings to ask if Kierna, who seemed to have a way with animals, would be willing to lead the horses across the bridge one by one. She would probably have an easier time of it than any of the rest of them. Either that, or they could ask the horse owner who just crossed his own animal to help them.

[Exarzun]

Flarrgj goes first, to 'secure the other side' he sais, though he obviusly wants to get across before it is weakened by the horses.

[trendel]

After having agonized over the dilemmafor some time, Gizerak lets out a laugh when he sees the traveller show them what they needed.

Saying soothing words, Gizerak digs out some cloth from his pack, unaware if it's a shirt or something else and begins to ready his pony to cross.

Relaying Fugen's message to Kierna, he tries to work up the courage to begin the journey across while he waits for her answer.

[treehouse]

Kierna shrugs.

"I'll give it a whirl. Do you want to get the golem and everyone else across first? If the bridge falls while I'm leading a mount across, you can continue on foot."

[Black Plauge]

Signing, Fugen indicates that at least one person should remain with the horses so that in the event that the bridge fails, those animals which remain uncrossed are not left to fend for themselves. He then volunteers to do just that.

[treehouse]

Kierna nods when someone interprets Fugen's suggestion for her.

"That seems like the best plan. Well, everyone across, then."

Once the golem and everyone in the group except for herself, Fugen and the horses are across the bridge, she begins leading Onira across at a slow and steady pace.

When Onira reaches the other side, she realizes that it would be easier to guide them with her knees than her voice. With that in mind, she walks carefully back across the bridge, mounts another horse, and goes back across the bridge at a slightly more confident (yet still cautious!) pace. Assuming success, she repeats the process until every horse is across the bridge.

[Take 10 on Handle Animal for a result of 16 on check with Onira; Take 10 on Ride with all other mounts for a result of 16]

[Black Plauge]

Once everyone is safely across, Fugen gives Fig a fig to calm the animal down after what was no doubt a harrowing experience for it, before swinging back up into the saddle and leading the group off again along their intended route which should take them straight through Miao. Hopefully there weren't any more suprises that were not marked on his maps.

[Exarzun]

Flarrgj glances back at the bridge with a whary glare,

"That bridge might be trouble if we have to return in a hurry...." He comments to one in particular.

[crueldespot]

The adventure continues in Chapter 5, Scene 4: Miao Province. (http://online-roleplaying.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7101)