12-12-2013, 07:20 PM
I do a quick search of the little cave. Is it completely empty? (50/50)
Yes.
I hear the ranger's horse arrive before the dogs. Does he spot my shadow near the far end of the bridge and pursue it? (50/50)
No.
Does he fire an arrow at it? (50/50)
Yes, and...
The arrow sinks convincingly into the quasi-corporal back of my shadow, slaying it and sending it plummeting into the chasm. I hear Lion chuckle and turn his horse to trot back to the pursing mob. Fantastic! He'll brag to them about my demise and he'll have a simple explanation for the lack of my body. I sit there for another minute on the ice cold floor of the cave, hoping to escape across the bridge after the ranger is too far to spot me and before the dogs sniff their way to the ledge above.
Am I able to climb back up over the ledge? (50/50)
No, but...
At least I don't slip on the rocks and follow my shadow to the bottom of the chasm! I sigh in frustration, using the sigh to warm my frozen hands. I can hear the barking snarling pack of dogs drawing near. I've got one more shot before they reach the ledge - I try using my dagger to dig into the rocks. Can I scramble up the icy ledge above the mouth of the cave? (50/50)
Yes, but...
I have to leave my dagger behind, as it's now embedded in the ledge and I have only seconds to hustle onto the rope bridge before the mangy mongrels reach the ledge. The're in a frenzy of foaming slobber and gnashing teeth, but only the leader of the pack actually tries to step onto the bridge. Is the slobbering mutt able to traverse the bridge without falling? (Very Unlikely)
No, and...
His yipping whining death stops the rest of the dogs in their tracks. I laugh at their lack of opposable thumbs as I cross safely to the other side of the chasm.
Once I reach the far side, however, I'm faced with the fact that I'm now in completely unfamiliar territory. I have only a general idea of the direction I need to travel in order to make it back to the warmth and safety of my brewery back home, and the most direct path would be back across the bridge that I'm now seriously considering burning...
I scratch the frosted stubble on my chin and stare at the pack of dogs, barking at me from the other side. Lion might still hear them and circle back to make sure I didn't pull a fast one. I'd rather deal with the unknown.
Are there any dead animals nearby? (Somewhat Unlikely)
Yes, but...
After several minutes of searching and nearly giving up, I stumble across the frozen carcass of a squirrel. Not much, but it'll have to do.
I carefully dig its little bones out of the snow and gather some kindling from a dead shrub. I cast a spell on the bones, causing them to burn like a tiny funeral pyre. I use the fire to burn the bridge and warm my hands, which are child to the bone.
No turning back now.
With the sun about to set, I turn my back on the chasm and start walking. I send my raven up to search my new surroundings. Does bane spot anything interesting? (Get Place)
Recently-repaired farm.
Through the eyes of my raven, I scry a glimpse of a farm in the distance with smoke rising from a chimney. I can't think of a more inviting place to spend the cold night, even if I have to sleep in the barn!
I force my numb feet to pick up the pace and head toward the farm.
To be continued...
Yes.
I hear the ranger's horse arrive before the dogs. Does he spot my shadow near the far end of the bridge and pursue it? (50/50)
No.
Does he fire an arrow at it? (50/50)
Yes, and...
The arrow sinks convincingly into the quasi-corporal back of my shadow, slaying it and sending it plummeting into the chasm. I hear Lion chuckle and turn his horse to trot back to the pursing mob. Fantastic! He'll brag to them about my demise and he'll have a simple explanation for the lack of my body. I sit there for another minute on the ice cold floor of the cave, hoping to escape across the bridge after the ranger is too far to spot me and before the dogs sniff their way to the ledge above.
Am I able to climb back up over the ledge? (50/50)
No, but...
At least I don't slip on the rocks and follow my shadow to the bottom of the chasm! I sigh in frustration, using the sigh to warm my frozen hands. I can hear the barking snarling pack of dogs drawing near. I've got one more shot before they reach the ledge - I try using my dagger to dig into the rocks. Can I scramble up the icy ledge above the mouth of the cave? (50/50)
Yes, but...
I have to leave my dagger behind, as it's now embedded in the ledge and I have only seconds to hustle onto the rope bridge before the mangy mongrels reach the ledge. The're in a frenzy of foaming slobber and gnashing teeth, but only the leader of the pack actually tries to step onto the bridge. Is the slobbering mutt able to traverse the bridge without falling? (Very Unlikely)
No, and...
His yipping whining death stops the rest of the dogs in their tracks. I laugh at their lack of opposable thumbs as I cross safely to the other side of the chasm.
Once I reach the far side, however, I'm faced with the fact that I'm now in completely unfamiliar territory. I have only a general idea of the direction I need to travel in order to make it back to the warmth and safety of my brewery back home, and the most direct path would be back across the bridge that I'm now seriously considering burning...
I scratch the frosted stubble on my chin and stare at the pack of dogs, barking at me from the other side. Lion might still hear them and circle back to make sure I didn't pull a fast one. I'd rather deal with the unknown.
Are there any dead animals nearby? (Somewhat Unlikely)
Yes, but...
After several minutes of searching and nearly giving up, I stumble across the frozen carcass of a squirrel. Not much, but it'll have to do.
I carefully dig its little bones out of the snow and gather some kindling from a dead shrub. I cast a spell on the bones, causing them to burn like a tiny funeral pyre. I use the fire to burn the bridge and warm my hands, which are child to the bone.
No turning back now.
With the sun about to set, I turn my back on the chasm and start walking. I send my raven up to search my new surroundings. Does bane spot anything interesting? (Get Place)
Recently-repaired farm.
Through the eyes of my raven, I scry a glimpse of a farm in the distance with smoke rising from a chimney. I can't think of a more inviting place to spend the cold night, even if I have to sleep in the barn!
I force my numb feet to pick up the pace and head toward the farm.
To be continued...