An Arl's Ransom

[spyguy1503]

Wallace uses his healing kit on the others.

[mgbevan]

"Well," Davne grunts as she gets up off the floor, "Let's see if they have anything useful on them that might tell us what exactly they were up to" and proceeds to pick through the bloody remains of the combatants

[spyguy1503]

"Well, that sounds like a good idea." Wallace inspects the Alpha.

[HorizonsDream]

Simone catches her breath and stands up straight for a moment while inspecting her clothing. "I'm going to need a nice, hot bath, after that," she states with a sigh. "And, I now have to path up my clothing, and I spell like darkspawn." She pouts a little bit, but she decides to search through the other genlock that she managed to kill. "I doubt they had orders or anything that we are going to find," she explains. "They are darkspawn, so they probably just try to kill everything they see."

[JadedDM]

Wallace takes the time to pull out his healer's kit and bandage up everyone. Simone and Davne feel much better after he's cleaned their wounds, applied poultices and bandaged them up. There isn't much he can do for Alenka's wounds, but he does what he can.

Simone's theory seems to pan out. The three search the dead genlocks and the Alpha, but find nothing of value. Each one is wearing light mail, save the Alpha who has heavy mail. They all carry a battle axe and had one throwing axe and a medium shield. They carry no money or valuables of any kind.

Alenka approaches the remains of the bridge. "I suspect Simone is right. They must have destroyed this bridge, then sat in wait for passersby to attack. Trapped between the darkspawn and a gorge, most people would have been slain. I wonder how many fell prey to their ambush before we came along." She shakes her head. "The more pressing issue is how do we get across now? It will take many hours--that we do not have--to reach the next crossing to the west or circle the lake to the east."

The chasm is about 12 yards wide.

===========

Wallace makes a CUN (Healing) test to heal Simone [TN 11] (3d6+3): 16, pass. She is healed 9 HP. Simone's condition improves from moderately wounded to lightly wounded.
Wallace makes a CUN (Healing) test to heal Davne [TN 11] (3d6+3): 12. She is healed 7 HP. Davne's condition improves from moderately wounded to lightly wounded.
Wallace makes a CUN (Healing) test to heal Alenka [TN 11] (3d6+3): 8, fail.

[spyguy1503]

"I have a rope, and we could tie one of these darkspawn axes to the other end and throw it over. Or... how tall are these trees?"

[JadedDM]

There are several trees nearby that might be useful as a makeshift bridge, if the party is willing to search for a sturdy one that can hold the weight of a person and still be long and wide enough.

===========

(OOC: To find an appropriate tree, a TN 11 CUN (Nature Lore) test is needed. Failure can result in anything from a deadly fall during the crossing or simply wasted time. Preparing the tree is a TN 11 DEX (Crafting) test. Failing makes the crossing more difficult. Finally, someone will need to cut the tree down and carry it to the ravine. This will need a TN 15 Strength (Might) test (with a +1 added for each person who helps). Failure means the tree falls into the ravine.

Once the trunk is in place, crossing requires a TN 11 DEX (Acrobatics) test or a TN 13 test if the crafting test failed.

If you want to try this plan, I'd suggest looking at the party's stats to see who has the best chance to succeed each test. This will require some teamwork.)

[spyguy1503]

Wallace immediately springs into planning mode. "Alenka, you live around here, so what tree do you think will be the best? Davne, you look quite strong to me, so you should do the cutting and dragging. Simone, your hands look quite nimble to me, so maybe you should do the carving. You balance looks good, so perhaps you can get across first, anchor the rope with this metal spike I have, and each can use it to hold them while they cross."

[HorizonsDream]

Simone looks up to the trees around the area. "It could work," she says. "And I suppose it is a good thing I'm not afraid of heights," she adds with a small laugh.

[mgbevan]

"Ok let's give it a shot. Which tree do you want me to have a go at?" Davne asks as she pick out her sword.

[JadedDM]

"I suppose it's worth a try," Alenka agrees. "We can use the darkspawn's axes to cut it down. I don't think the taint can be spread that way, anyhow."

Alenka searches around the nearby trees, attempting to find one of a suitable width, length and sturdiness. "Here, this one," she says after a brief search. "It should serve our purposes well enough."

=============

Alenka makes a CUN (Nature Lore) test [TN 11] (3d6+4): 17, pass.

(OOC: Looks like Invisible Castle is down again for the moment.)

[HorizonsDream]

"Have at it, Davne," Simone says with a small smirk.

[mgbevan]

Davne picks up one of the fallen Darkspawn axes and takes a moment to feel the weight of it with some practise swings by the tree nominated by Alenka.

After a few minutes working at the tree, she pauses to wipe her brow. "Ready?" She asks coyly, before leaning the weight of her body against the tree. A moment later, the creak of timber and swoosh of branches through the air fills the woodland around the party.

"How's that?" she remarks cheekily

[spyguy1503]

"Looks good" says Wallace. "Now try and get it ready."

[JadedDM]

Using one of the smaller throwing axes the darkspawn used, Simone begins preparing the tree to act as a suitable bridge. Now all that remains is carrying it to the ravine and hopefully placing it across it without it falling in.

==============

Simone makes a DEX (Crafting) test [TN 11] (3d6+3): 13, pass.