Time Passes
Unsure of what to do next you waste precious hours. The day remains bright and sunny, you luckily see no rain, though you doubt it even rains often within this area.
GM: I usually give a max of two days for a Party Order response. Since it is now two days passed the time limit I will push the story forward an hour a day so the time now is 2:00pm.
You ask Scout if it is wisest that just Kalfie, Wanderer and him visit the trails.
"Lad we need not visit unless ye plan something specific, I know the trail to show thee or hast thou intentions?"
Scout looks around and continues...
"There be no real place to conceal this wagon."
He then points upwards towards the mountain noting how they rise from the ground ascending at a steep impassable angle. with no accommodation.
"This wagon and all that stay here will be seen. Light no fire."
He then looks at you for instructions.
GM: Say what you will do now.
Daphne asks if the second entrance on the west side is where her former companion fell to his death. Scout nods and then adds that it was unfortunate because the trail was not known then and he became over zealous.
Kalfie informs Scout they intend to take the wagon and conceal it as best as possible by the mountain. Then three warriors will ascend that passage near dark and the rest will watch the wagon. Scout nods and says that there is no place to conceal the wagon, but you can hope that no one sees it because of the vast size of the area you are in. He then adds,
"We be needing to push hastily while following the mountains' base until we come to the first trail, but ye must leave the wagon far from there lest we bring attention to ourselves."
Wanderer is asked to part of the raiding party of three, of which Thomas has volunteered to join. Wanderer nods and looks towards the South as she checks the sharpness of her blade.
You set forth hoping to meet your destiny before it is totally night. You follow the outline of the mountain until you are about one mile from what Scout estimates is the first trail to the lookout.
GM: It is probably about 5pm now.
You start reading yourself when in the distance Wanderer makes out faint objects moving out of Death's Mouth. As you squint and look keenly on you see two mounted persons are casually moving towards the North in a steady pattern, but you are too far away to make out much more. One thing is for sure they are moving in the open plains where anyone can see them. You feel assured that they have not seen you, but you cannot be totally sure given the number of you and your wagon.
GM: You probably have an hour good light left. Say what you will do now.
You decide to ignore the unknown riders who slowly disappear to the North. You hope ignoring them was a wise decision, but now you will likely not know.
Scout urges you (Thomas, Crusher and Wanderer) on as you leave the wagon behind. It is getting dark and you can already hear the distant chilling sounds of wolves calling, but their howls are faint and you feel somewhat secured by that.
Near Death's Mouth you almost have to enter Death's Mouth's passage when Scout suddenly throws his back against a certain rock and disappears. You feel perplexed by his 'magical' move until he calls out to you and you recognize that the trail was hidden well. The trail is jagged and rocky, you can slip and fall easy, so you must be slow and careful. The ascent is also long, it may take you at least an hour to get to the top where you see some smoke going up to the skies possibly from a camp fire up there.
Scout leaves Thomas, Crusher and Wanderer and journeys back to the group about half mile away. You feel a sense of urgency as the sky becomes dark and the two moons show more brilliantly.
GM: Say what you will do now. I need to know at what point Wanderer rejoins other group. Since the party is in two groups I need to know what bought groups are doing in the next Party Order, thanks.
Wanderer, Thomas and Crusher ascend the mountain with relative ease being that you know the correct path because of Scout, and have a flexible body to navigate the many turns and slopes. Wanderer reaches the top far ahead of you as though she were related to mountain goats. Just below the peak of the mountain you hear voices faintly and see what you believe to be smoke coming from the ground, but you do not see anyone... By now it is dark save for the light of two moons which has aided you thus far.
Meanwhile...
Kalfies' group remain at the wagon in a position of defense. You ask Scout if he thinks the other side is climbable to which Scout nods in agreement.
GM: Say what you will do now.
Wanderer moves up to the peak and is surprised to see nothing there but a hole in the ridge of the mountain. A flickering light source can be seen at the flat part with the crackling of fire being heard amongst muffled voices of a conversation, then laughter, etc. Wanderer motions to you to come up as you all brace yourself against the mountain. You see the hole in the ground about 10'. You wonder how to approach this.
GM: Say what you will do now.
Crusher slowly crawls to the edge of the hole and nervously looks down towards the light. Having made no noise nor moved any rubble so as to give away his presence Crusher peers in slightly to see what looks like a sink hole at the top of the mountain. In the middle of the hole is a bright fire lit by logs and surrounded by rocks. You are surprised that below is wider than the entrance at about 20'. The depth is about 6' so it is not deep. There are a couple of bandits seated at one end North from where you peer in. As far as can be seen, the two are equipped, armed and talking about something for which you cannot tell at present. Crusher slowly retreats to the others to inform them of what is seen.
Meanwhile...
The group at the base of the mountain hears the sounds of wolves closer than before. You grip your weapons tighter hoping to find comfort in the steel.
GM: Say what you will do now. Still need the roll of Thomas.
GM: Just a note, only I can say what NPCs do, in the players case you need to ask the NPC to do something.
Wandered goes up to the edge of the opening in a stooped position, and then stands armed with bow and arrow. She shoots hitting one bandit in the leg and leaving him immobile as he braces himself against the rock surface while yelling insults of pain and anguish. She shouts,
"Pigs!"
Crusher decides to leap down but fumbles on the uneven surface, and instead of taking command of the situation he twists badly, sprains his leg, and braces himself against the fire. Feeling the heat burn his skin Crusher stands up cursing the gods for his bad luck.
GM: Crusher loses 1hp.
Thomas leaps down into the opening and immediately attacks the other bandit who despite being surprised by your presence grabs his weapon to parry Thomas' attacks and he does so well.
GM: First round ends. Say if you want to do something different or continue battle.