Don't Leave the Path, 2947

[TalesftCards]

Grimbold can clearly see that something is not right and that Baldor's sudden change is the result of unnatural forces. The man's eyes are burning with an intensity Grimbold has never seen before, and the way he is looking at him, it is clear that has no recollection of who Grimbold is or where he is at the moment. The current manner of Baldor reminds Grimbold of a hunted animal that is about to bolt at the slightest provocation.

GM

Grimbold has a successful Insight roll of 16, which is enough to give him a good idea of what is happening and what Grimbold's likely reaction will be to any movement towards him. This roll is good enough to give you an opportunity to try something else before Baldor totally panics.

[Vardaen]

Eurics sleeps soundly, a little too soundly, and he snores on and off.

[gandalfDK]

He percieves Baldor will soon lose total control and to take manners into his own hand Grimbold thinks of capturing Baldor and tying him down, until the effects of the poisened water wear off. Or should he wake his companions and ask for their advice? It may only be a matter of seconds, so he decides to act quickly and grabs a rope. Being some heads higher than Baldor, this shouldn't prove too hard!

OOC

Using my favoured Atlethics 3 skill to outskill Baldor and tie him up.

[TalesftCards]

As soon as Grimbold reaches for the rope, Baldor sprints away into the trees.

"Brigands! You will not capture me so easily" he shouts, as he races into the darkness.

Grimbold now has the rope in his hand and can see Baldor begin to disappear into the line of trees on the other side of the clearing.

GM

Grimbold rolls a 13, which is just short of the TN. You can use Hope if you'd like to succeed on the roll. I'm going to rule that either way, Baldor would be able to get a running start before you could get a rope out, but success or failure will determine how quickly you would be able to catch up, if at all. You'll also have to decide whether you want to chase him off the path into the forest, or do something else.

[gandalfDK]

Astounded by the sudden speed Baldor shows, Grimbold has to think on his feet. But before he starts running, he pauses. Baldor will get a head start, but with the state he is in, many trails will probably be left. Grimbold decides to wake his companions, so as that they can together decide what to do. Time is of the essence though, so he gives them a quick kick and shortly explains what happened.

OOC

Not spending Hope as to walk a different path

[Vardaen]

"Ugh"

"He what? Wha..?" Eurics motions, "Well go go get him!" He gets up to his feet and wake anyone else not up as he slips his boots on -- there is no telling what terrible thing is on the forest floor, he's NOT walking around Mirkwood barefooted for any man. Then he looks at Belgo, "Don't worry lad, we'll get him."

OOC

Someone should help Grimbold chase, and someone should stay to watch the kid

[TalesftCards]

Euric stays behind with Belgo, as Grimbold and Guldem head into the trees after Baldor. As they leave the clearing and the path, the trees close around them tight, shrouding them in complete darkness and oppressive air. This would normally make for difficult tracking, but Baldor has run off in such a panic that he has left clear tracks in the soft ground that nearly anyone could follow. He can still be heard shouting ahead in the distance, although his exact words are somewhat muffled. The two Men remember the admonitions of the Elves to stay on the path as they hear unseen beasts and creatures rustling in the forest around them. Getting back Baldor quickly seems a wise course of action.

GM

Grimbold/Guldem: What is your general strategy for catching Baldor? Are you going to prioritize speed over caution, basically sprinting after him through the forest? Or are you going to prioritize caution over speed and track him at a steady pace? Euric: What are you doing while you wait with Belgo, if anything?

[gandalfDK]

Grimbold starts running like a jaguar, as fast as possible, but somewhat trying to maintain a quiet posture, not to disturb any of the weird creatures that lurk away from the forest path. He looks behind to see if Guldem follows him into the wilderness..

OOC

I think it would be wise to get to Baldor as soon as possible, hence prioritizing speed. Otherwise we might end up finding a dead Baldor..

[Vardaen]

Euric moves to the young boy, "Don't worry lad, my companions will find your father. Here, help me stoke the fire, we should get the flames going as good as possible so they might see it on their return." The Beorning collects his axe, trying to not let Belgo think he's worried, a man needs and axe to deal with fire wood. Then he collects logs and stokes the fire turning the smoldering camp fire into a great bon that he hopes his companions will be able to see and navigate from. "Grab that log there, come boy, let's get the fire going." He hopes too the distraction may keep Belgo from running off himself.

[TalesftCards]

Grimbold tears through the forest, hot on Baldor's heels. Guldem follows just behind. Although the forest is shrouded in darkness, Grimbold can hear Baldor running ahead, his hasty flight sounding like a cacophony in the night. As Grimbold runs, he feels something sticky catch at his arms for a moment before he plunges ahead. On either side of the trees are what look to be massive spider webs. Grimbold can sense that he is getting closer to Baldor judging by the noise, and the sound of the fleeing man's frantic breathing becoming audible. Suddenly, however, Baldor lets out a surprised yelp up ahead, followed by a heavy thud. When Grimbold reaches where the man should have been, there is no sign of him, other than what looks to be the indications of something heavy dragged through the soft ground.

Meanwhile, Euric is busy working with the boy to build a fire, when he senses some unseen danger above. Whether it was the flicker of a sudden shadow that should not have been there, or the tingling at the back of his neck from many eyes looking down at him with hunger, this sense of danger draws Euric's eyes upward, and he sees a giant spider spinning down from the trees overhead, coming towards them at a rapid pace.

GM

Grimbold rolled a 13 on an Athletics test, which allowed him to keep pace with Baldor, but not high enough to reach him before he was grabbed. Euric rolled a 14 on an Awareness test, just high enough to notice the approaching spider before it was too late.