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The Shroud grows deeper as the hazy day fades into a deepening black. In what would be considered the early evening, the best light is found near the waters edge of the Fog Wall River. Twenty or so feet out from the shore the fog wall rises fifteen feet or so before it joins with the Shroud to create an ethereal tunnel.
The tunnel is higher than usual, most times it hugs the water only feet above the water's surface. It is the perfect time to play down near the water's edge. This is where Thari, Aleana, the dog named Ket and several other children from The Warehouse and Dock find themselves. Exploring the shore and looking out across the river.
For several hours you play and talk and explore. Once in a while you can here the ringing of bells come through the fog wall and occasionally a lantern of natural light pierces through the wall before disappearing again. As the hours slip by the sky darkens considerably as this night is known as No Moon not to be confused with New Moon which is several nights away.
Thari and Aleana are playing with Thari's prized cat spine. When we say prized, it is a rare thing to find. Even the dog Ket is a rarity. Animals, as Dabius the Scholar has called them, do not wonder on Shrouded Isle. They maybe traded but they never wonder loose or are found unrestrained or caged.
Specific Action: Thari and Aleana - roll d20 "Perception" Check with no bonus.
Out of Character: When you are requested to make a roll, I will note the skill or action to be recorded in " quotation marks" (23JUL2016) -MS.
I absent-mindedly stroke Ket as I look around, my hood up against the strong sea breeze that occasionally blows up over this coastline.
Thari is a little entranced by the snaking undulations of the spine he carefully strung together. The articulation of the vertebra moving easily one way but not so much in others is a wonder to him.
He's peripherally aware of Aleana and Ket, but distracted. Although periodically his gaze rises to the unusually high fog wall.
Out of Character: =Apologies. A little confused by "With no bonus". No -1 due to 8 Wisdom included. No proficiency included although his race has proficiency in Perception. For what it's worth. -T.
Out of Character: Normally, there would have been a penalty for a Perception Check because of the Wisdom score. The racial bonus would have negated the setback. However, you have the dog, Ket in your company and a group in this game allows for each to roll, no penalty. (23JUL2016) -MS
The stillness of the fast approaching night is interrupted by footfalls, not loud ones but moving fast along the dock south of you. Thari noticed the figure first actually coming from the Wharehouse doors closest to the dock. Then Ket's nose lifted into the air as he caught wind of the figure. Aleana is lost in thought and is unaware of anything changing and continues petting Ket.
Thari watches silently as the figure approaches the dock. As its right foot hits the dock the dock lights up blue. The figure startled by the light staggers down the dock and splashes head long into the Fog Wall River. Before he falls in Thari notices the same blue glow around ankles and wrists that is on the dock.
The water churns and some bit of thrashing is heard as the figure tries to surface and then swim. This time Aleana turns as the sounds of a person in the water is unmistakable. As she turns from looking towards the Warehouse to the water she gasps at the site of two very large figures moving from the Warehouse to the Dock.
Out of Character: So Thari, you succeeded in the Perception Check and with a bonus. You are allowed to narrate an addition to the story or receive 5 training points. Training points can be used to raise a skill or an ability, details can be found in the Questions and Support Thread.
Is there anywhere we can hide? These don't look like people we want to get in the way of, and if we can remain hidden, we might learn something useful.
Out of Character: :
Aleana,
1. Describe in Detail (DiD) what you would like to do.
2. Decide if you need a Specific Action and if so, note it as such and make the necessary roll(S).
3. Be prepared to Role with the Roll(S).
* Note - you and the other players are just as much the storytellers as I am. If something needs to be edited, I will let you know.
- MS.
Thari immediately freezes then, very slowly, lowers himself to be as unnoticeable as possible. If there is any cover nearby he instinctively makes his way toward that, but he will not sacrifice being able to see the dock. In the terse efficiency of Thieve's Cant -- more with gestures, body language and action -- he makes sure Aleana is aware of the activity to the south and encourages her to find cover as well. If there is no cover, Thari is canny enough to limit his movements and trust to the poor light for now to keep him hidden.
Ket is an unknown so Thari will increase his distance from the dog if at all possible.
All that is a matter of seconds at most. What is happening at the dock is very strange and stranger with the approaching figures.
Blue light on dock and circling the figures extremities?
What happened to the figure in the water?
And are the dark silhouettes of the approaching figures familiar at all?
Curiosity spiced with fear is very compelling to a young elf. The day just got very interesting.
Specific Action: hiding while keeping dock in sight. (Will add a Stealth Roll without modifiers just in case to help things keep moving.)
Out of Character: Thari will take 5 training points. Contributing to the narrative is definitely of interest but at this early point, I don't feel I have the grasp of the milieu that I need to do justice to what you're creating. Thank you for the option. -- T.