Vir moves north [one step], staying just beyond the edge of the slope towards the wooded valley. Using the outermost fractured walls and toppled masonry for cover, he gazes intently at the grove of oak trees (E7). What are those trees hiding?

OOC: Just thinking out loud, but psionicists totally need a "sense mind" skill to detect hidden people or other thinking things.

OOC: What you see looks similar to the attached image.

Your field of vision below this is blocked, because you are on high ground. FWIW, I don't think the trees pictured here are Oaks, but this pictures is the best I could find. Sorry. OOC: That sounds good. I would be happy to add it as a skill you can gain. How do you think it would differ from other "detect people" type skills? It would probably only work on intelligent beings, I think...

Maybe there could be two different skills: one that detects thoughts in a particular spot of your choice (so you can focus and find hidden or invisible beings as long as they're "thinking") and perhaps another skill, which doesn't have any particular area of focus, and just sweeps all around you, adding up the total number of thinking beings in the area.

Remaining turns:
Arkades - move 2 and/or act
Phil - move 3 and/or act

OOC: Damn. I was hoping to take advantage of my +1 Perception. ;)

I assume there's no bridge in the trees either. I was thinking more along the lines of the general sweep idea, with it only working on intelligent beings.

1. You did use the enhanced perception. You got a bit more information than Lucas did even though you're on the same square. (Everything I said on his turn holds true for yours, as well) Edit: oops, you're not on the same square, you're actually a bit further away. :)


2. Yes, there is a bridge. Everything is correct about the picture, besides perhaps the type of tree. It looks like there's some sort of... rope or pulley system off to the left as well.

3. About the skill: sounds good.

Phil looked down at the large oak trees below him. No two forests were alike, but he reckoned he'd have more of an advantage there than up here in the rubble, even though something didn't seem quite right about the forest.

Hoping that he'd managed to stay out of everyone's view he continued to circle the spot where he thought the laughter had come from, making a quick dash down the slope and in under the shielding canopies of the majestic trees.
OOC: That is: Move one north, one north-east, one south-east.

OOC2: I would like to perform an action too - presuming that Hide doesn't require an action every subsequent turn - but what it is depends largely on how the move went. Do I have to state the action right awawy, can I wait until I know how the movement part turned out, or is perhaps giving alternatives beforehand preferred?

[1: Assuming nothing special encountered] Shaded from the revealing sun, with the gently moving leaves making a soft rustle as they let through ever moving patches of brilliant sunlight, Phil disappeared into the foilage as he quickly Camouflaged his presence, just as he had done so many times before.

[2: Assuming he's spotted something potentially threatening at a distance] Phil quickly took cover and silently got his trusty longbow, stringing it with ease without taking his eyes off <what he'd spotted>.

[3: Assuming he's too close, or he's already spotted (and knows it)] Phil quickly drew the dagger father Arkades so graciously had lent him, his mouth dry and body tense. This was it.

Edit & OOC: According to the posting times, I've spent about an hour writing this - I really am a slow writer.. =/ I'll try to speed it up.

Got it. Hide doesn't require an action every turn. However, whenever you move or take any kind of action, there is a chance of revealing yourself.

In this case, with the sun out overhead, I'd say that chance is rather high. You are best off activating it every turn if you want to stay hidden. However, if you go into the wooded areas, you can use Camouflage and that will probably keep you more well-hidden in this case. You can do it any way you want: state it right away, give alternatives or wait until your moves are completed. :) Nothing happened, so we'll go with this.

You easily camouflage yourself in the bushes and shrubbery and look up at the tree bridge that Vir spotted. If you stay low and move quietly, you will stay camouflaged and out of sight.

The leaves rustle in the trees to your south. You hear the sound of birds chirping. A family of squirrels runs back and forth, climbing one tree and then another.

You then hear an indistinguishable murmur from the direction of the tree bridge. It sounds like a human female child is up there in the trees.

See enclosed picture. You are in the center of this picture, in the thick greens on the FAR side of the tree bridge. It's O.K. :)

I'm moving for Arkades until he returns,

Arkades moves one space northeast, casting "Bless" on Lucas. Lucas' strength is increased for 3 rounds. As this is the last turn of the round, it will only count for 2 rounds.

Status update
Lucas (Bless - 2 rounds increased strength.)

Next turn:
Lucas: up to 2 moves and act
Arkades: up to 1 move and act
Phil: up to 2 moves and act
Vir: up to 2 moves and act

OOC: Map updated

"This reminds me of that time Jack and I snuck into old Mr. Cooper's barn to see if we could steal some apples," Phil thought to himself, remembering how they had spent the entire night huddled in a corner, scared to death of something that, in the morning's first rays of sunlight, had turned out to be nothing more than some broken pieces of furniture, half a bale of hay and the biggest cat they've ever seen, peacefully sleeping while making strange gurgling noises. That was twenty years ago, though, and in a likely much safer place.

After disappearing into the underbrush, Phil changed direction, going straight east before turning south again, still circling what seemed to be the source, a bridge and probably some huts, high above in the trees. He tried to move as silently as he could, while keeping eyes and ears open, watching both the ground and the trees above and around him.

OOC: Move: 1x east, 1x south. Action: Being more vigilant than usual, looking up as well as around, and also trying to make as little noise etc as possible (or, trading the action for a somewhat greater chance at not being detected and maybe get some additional information about his surroundings, if you like).

You remain camouflaged, crawling between the bushes and vines. You are surrounded on all sides by the wilderness (with the exception of the southwest, where you spot Lucas on the edge of the valley.

To your west, you see several children crawling throughout the treetops. No sign of adults. They do not see (or hear) you.

You detect the voice of a female human child,

"Let's go. [inaudible] incursion... [inaudible] know what to do..."

Another voice responds, belonging to a male human child,

"Hush, [inaudible] there, dangerous [inaudible], we must say until they leave."

There is an clearing to e7 (south) where you spot the ropes. You can climb this rope to encounter the children in the treetops. On the other hand, you may prefer to simply move on.... it is, of course, your choice (and that of the party.)

[FYI: Since there's a rope, no one needs a climbing skill to use it. Though.. it would help.]

You sprint north, grab hold to the rope and climb rapidly. The treetop shakes, you hear the sound of panic above you... the trembling voices of human children.

Someone screams, "cut it! Cut the rope!"

..but it is too late.

You stare across the bridge.Several children stare back, some seven in total... if not more.

A pudgy boy of no more than 10 years throws a clump of stones in your direction. You dodge two rocks, before getting pelted by the third, causing you 4 HP damage.

A little girl, pale in complexion with mahogany hair holds the rest of them back. She menacingly points a shortsword in your direction,

"Hold your fire!" she yells to the others. "Intruder, begone from here or perish at my hands!"

As much as you are tempted to laugh at the threat of a little girl, she does have a sword. And you know what they say, it only takes one good swing!


HP UPDATE:
Lucas: 50/54 (Bless: Strength, 1 round)
VIr: 41/41
Arkades: 42/42
Phil Harper: 51/51


Remaining turns:
Arkades: up to 1 move and act
Vir: up to 2 moves and act

"Now, now we can talk this out!" Lucas began to negotiate although preparing to fight if it came to it. "Why do you want to kill me? Is it really necessary?"

It was time to act quickly. Vir moved northeast down the slope to stand just east of the grove of trees. A frightened child with a weapon is dangerous, both to others and to herself.

Vir mentally reached out and touched the frightened girl's mind, trying to imprint on her calming, reassuring thoughts. Trying to imprint on her mind that the adults meant no harm.

"Go back, boy" the girl says, creeping slowly across the bridge, "go back to your monkey god, for he holds no power here. These lands are ours!"

A male voice behind her screams, "Begone, freak!"

Several of the other children follow closely behind her, now no more than 10 feet away from you.
OOC: Presuming "Telepathy: Implant"?

The children behind the little girl grew restless, but she pushed her left arm backwards to hold them still, while holding the shortsword in Lucas' direction.

She paused for a moment, a dazed look growing over her face.

"He doesn't mean any harm," she stutters at her allies. She turns to face Lucas, asking, "what then? Do you wish to speak of a ceasefire... a treaty?"

[Everyone can continue to talk. Well, Lucas and the girl at least... rest of you aren't up there.]

Remaining turns:
Arkades: up to 1 move and act

"Yes," Lucs said really not wanting to kill a girl not possessed by a demon. Lucas tried to figure out whether the girl was commoner or not.

OOC: Basically is she a daughter of a noble or not? Because I have an appeal to noble skill so...

OOC: They're all wearing rags (including her), but she has high social status among these people, so I'll acknowledge the "Appealing to Nobles," factor, especially if you're negotiating some sort of... treaty?

"Very well then," she sighed, "But if you try to deceive us, you will pay with your head. Perhaps this would best be done right here. I'd like to keep you at a distance. You understand, eh?"

"Our terms have not changed. You cede all grounds northeast of the valley to us. Your.... "people" (that is what you like to call yourselves, "people").. will be confined to the western shores. Have I made myself clear or shall I let my sword do the talking?"

At this, the group behind her began to clamor, delighted with her threatening demeanor. Apparently, she thinks you represent some other group.

OOC: You can respond once more before I have to move Arkades and begin a new round.

Remaining turns:
Arkades: up to 1 move and act