A Kindly Request (Chapter 1)

[Callix]

Tarik makes a few purchases, now he has saddlebags to store things in. Two weeks' rations should stop him needing to gather food until at least the Four Corners, as he is on something of a deadline. Ink, quill, and a few sheets of parchment will help him get word back to Trueport, while a couple of pieces of white chalk are often useful in stealthy urban activities.

Really should have asked the mayor this: Am I supposed to investigate the orcs in the hills, or the emissary to Compton? Either way, two weeks' rations is fine; I'll resupply in Compton if I'm diverting to the hills.

Also, sorry about the delay on my end. The map is great; thanks.

[SixthDeclension]

Orcs in the Grey Hills, more specifically the gathering in the center of them. Are there any "evil" creatures there? Only you will know!

All packed up and ready to go, Tarik hops aboard his horse and exits the city at a comfortable pace. He attracts little attention on the way out, but he does get a nod from a guard by the gates, who you know will go and report to the Mayor that you have departed safely.

Now it is up to you. What do you do?

[Callix]

With a deadline, and without a good road to follow, Tarik heads cross-country toward the Grey Hills, riding cautiously for the moment, and stopping to make camp as the light fails. Shara takes the opportunity to catch some sleep on Tarik's shoulder.

I'm fairly sure you're going to interrupt the travel at some point. If it's before the first camp, feel free to interrupt me.

At the first campsite, once he has a small fire going and Shara is off hunting, he examines the two message tubes, as to whether they could be read unnoticed.

[SixthDeclension]

Tarik encounters nothing out of they usual (rough paths, rocky ledges) and easily overcomes the simple challenges that he faces. As he sets up his camp for the evening, he attempts to find a way to read these messages the mayor has sent with him. One tube has, in gold lettering, Sultarc written across the front, and the one end that is openable is sealed with wax and the Mayor's seal. The other is simple, but has three dials, each with the numbers 1 through 9, that appear to need to be lined up in order for the thing to open. They are all set at one.

God, thought I was waiting for you to post.

[Callix]

Tarik thinks for a moment. The wax could probably be removed intact with a hot blade, but time is one of the things he has on his side. He makes a thorough investigation of the mechanism to see if it is anything beyond a lock.

Take 20 on a Search check. This takes 2 minutes, and gives a result of 21. It should find any traps a non-rogue could find.

[SixthDeclension]

You find nothing besides the wax on the gold plated case, and you see with your checking that underneath each number is a strange glyph.

Any knowledges?

[Callix]

Take 10 on Arcana for 15.

[SixthDeclension]

You have sufficient knowledge to know that the script reads vaguely,

Code:

Three Numbers make .....
The second....five more than the first
The third is eight less than the......

[Callix]

With only an incomplete translation, Tarik can't definitively solve this puzzle, but it has eliminatd a number of options. He takes a short while to consider, scratching artithmetic in the dirt with a stick. After a few minutes, he looks up.  The simplest interpretation has only one solution. He turns the dials to 4-9-1, then pulls at the lock.

[SixthDeclension]

The case gently slides open with your pull and you carefully pull another tube out from the first one. The bottom of this one, however, is open, and a small, unsealed, rolled scroll falls out.

It reads,

I have sent this Tarik to you. He is quite familiar with Shadeglen, being the sole survivor of that cult attack years ago. Allow him to help you in protecting your growing community and serve in the rebuilding process. Ask him for advice in the ways of battle, if it comes your way, especially from those Undead Worshippers, as he is quite skilled in battle against them. If things seem clear, send him in the way of the stone, which would yield well for Shadeglen and the rest of the land.

Signed,
Mayor of Trueport

Just realized I never named the Mayor i think. Also, this was your 2nd encounter, congratulations.

[Callix]

Tarik carefully places the note back in the open tube, then returns the tube to the locked case. He presses it closed, then turns the first two dials back to 1. Obviously, the information he needs is in the other note, but that can wait until he has a good table to work on. He finishes attending to his weapons and armor, takes a meal from the rations in his saddlebags, then settles down to sleep with Shara on guard.

The lack of zero made this substanially easier. Also, I'm something of a puzzle nut.
I assume you're either giving XP at the end of adventures or just telling me when I reach levels, if this is my second encounter.

[SixthDeclension]

You sleep well through the night, with no interruptions.

I'll just tell you when you level. Unless you have something you want to do with the XP.

[Callix]

In the morning, Tarik takes a bite for breakfast, breaks camp and continues on his way to the Grey Hills.

I don't mind either way, I just wanted to know which.
At the moment, I don't have any plans until I get near the orc lands.

[SixthDeclension]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9HdJOmUzOM&feature=related It's a RANDOM ENCOUNTER!!!!! Well.... not so random.

The day is overcast and dark, as if a storm is approaching. As you are walking along your way towards the center of the hills, you are ambushed by a disgusting looking scorpion which is carrying an orc on its back. The orc, who is about 80 feet to your left on top of a hill, shoots an arrow at you, which flies cleanly past you.

Roll Initiative/Make first action.

This is to get a gauge of your combat capabilities before I send you into a real battle. Also, if you are mounted, just pretend you aren't and are walking beside your mount.

[Callix]

Tarik looks up and curses his luck. Why did he gallop then and walk now?

Initative 1d20+1=14. My actions are going to depend on initative order; by my reckoning, he could charge me if he wanted to, and I'll have very different actions if/when he closes.

[SixthDeclension]

The orc and scorpion are acting on Initiative 11, so its your turn.

If you wanted to be mounted, than I guess you can, but the horse isn't trained for war, just travel. The mayor's finest horse, regrettably, isn't very fine.

EDIT:

Also note, I will refrain from using swarm tactics against you.

[Callix]

Tarik pulls out his bow, nocks an arrow, quickly aims at the orc and fires.

I'm not *that* worried, but not being mounted means I need to be reactive to some extent. No point drawing my bow if I lost initative and got charged.
1d20+7=26, 1d8+3=7. I think that hits...

[SixthDeclension]

The arrow flies out of Tarik's bow and swiftly find's its place in the Orc's shoulder. The Orc lashes out in retaliation, screaming as he urges the scorpion down to Tarik's location. In this movement, he drops his bow and draws a gruesome looking greatclub from his back. This club seems to appear right in front of Tarik's face and hits him squarely, a shard getting stuck in his cheek. Tarik is obviously bloodied by the blow.

[spoiler=Battle Report]Orc took seven. Gained 4 with rage. Charged with massive strength.
Tarik takes 28 damage. Maybe I shouldn't have toned him up as much as I did.....[/spoiler]
[spoiler=rolls, if you care to see them]1d20+12=181d10+12=14x2 is 28[/spoiler]

Orc is still mounted. (They are trained to charge, then dismount.)

[Callix]

Tarik reels from the blow, then draws his chain. His opponent's berserk charge has left his defences dangerously low, and he tries to capitalise on this with a swing at the face.

Power Attack for 5.
1d20+5=18, 2d4+15=21

[SixthDeclension]

The attack slides into the Orc's thigh, and he slumps into unconsciousness off of the scorpion and onto the ground. The Scorpion then proceeds to lash out at Tarik with its claws and stinger. One Claw and the Stinger connect with Tarik, leaving an obvious mark. Tarik can barely stand now.

You take 7 Damage and make a Fortitude save. Hope it doesn't kill you....Actually, that poison damage will....