Discussion of the Route over the Crown of the World

[Bella]

Ulf sips his ale as he listens to the group’s story about their trip over the Crown of the world and with a heavy sigh nods his head.

"S,not the best time t'be crossing the Crown, but your reasons are just and I owe my life so I have no regrets fur taking you. It will take us about 36 days just to reach the Rimethirst Mountains which is the southern edge of the Crown. The crown itself is over 3,000 miles of the most unforgiving terrain you can imagine. The weather this time of year will be bitterly cold. We may also experience extreme shifts of both day and night. You will need specific gear to cross the crown. Tis a long trip. 3 months minimum. The hunting is poor so bring food to store yurselves up."

He produces a rough map of the Crown of the World.

"After we reach the RimThirst Mountains we have two routes we can take. One is shorter and normally less hostile, but it also has the possibility of having more hostile eyes watching fur you. The other is longer and more hostile, but you might be able to get through without being seen better."

"You have any questions so far?"

[Bella]

[Bella]

“We will need to follow the route over the Rimthirst Mountains until we get here. (his finger traces the map where the red line is. The mountains at the bottom are the RimThirst.)

The main route that the caravans usually take is called the Path of Aganhei.

The primary route of the Path of Aganhei runs northwest through the Erutaki lands of Hasanaliat, skirting the Bearleg Lakes and the Gaarjuk Hills. North of the hills, the path follows the Taraska River through the high tundra of the Hoarwell March toward the town of Unaimo, the last major trading village before the path climbs onto the High Ice through the Koumssa Gap. This path is easier and generally faster, but the lands it crosses are more inhabited, potentially exposing us to unfriendly eyes. (he traces his finger on the map where the orange line is.)

As an alternative route, we could head due north through the Gaarjuk Hills, cutting off a wide bend of their route and avoiding more “civilized” lands. However, the hill country is far more rugged and remote, with fewer chances to resupply or seek help if trouble should ensue. Your caravan would still need to ford the Taraska, with greater difficulty than along the main route. We would link back up with the Path of Aganhei before it swings north through the Koumssa Gap and climbs onto the High Ice.” (he traces his finger along the black line).

[Bella]

DM: knowing which route to take ahead of time would help the DM prepare so let me know what you think.

[Specs]

personally i would be more for the route that takes us through the less inhabited area. This will hopefully prevent as many ambushes as possible and leave less of a friendly environment for our "friends" who have been so keen on making our lives interesting.

[girdnas]

I would go for the shorter route simply because he says we need to bring enough food. The problem is, even with the short path, there is absolutely no way we can make it for more than 10 days with the amount of food we can carry. If we go half rations, thats still 20 days before we run out and he said it would take 3 months!!! Not sure how the campaign authors figure you're supposed to make it through this part...

I'm working off memory but even if I'm 10 days off, that's 1 month...if we can't hunt or resupply, we have 0 chance of making it.

[Bella]

The dc for hunting may be a bit higher in the crown, but you can still attempt them everyday.

Also the part mentioned with the alternate routes is not 3 months. That is the entire journey. There are a few smaller cities to resupply before crossing the ice.

[Bella]

I should also add the main route is actually longer, but it will take as long as the route through the woods as the woods path is not a main route. Each will take the same amount of time.

The choice comes down to easier but more people seeing you or possibly harder but more remote.

[girdnas]

Have we seen the red feathered Raven recently? If the woods path is actually through forested areas, allowing the caravan to at least sometimes be blocked from aerial views, Jo votes that one.

[Bella]

You have nit seen it. If my memory is correct, the rimthurst mountains which is the bottom of the map is a month away from kalsgard.

[Wedge]

I would opt for the longer, more populous route.

Since the two routes split and merge back together, our enemies would be able to pick up our tracks at those points anyways. Not to mention the raven that has had no problems following us to begin with. I feel that having the access to civilization to help us repair and resupply is the right way to go here.

[ameiko]

Ameiko turns to the group. "We will go the more populated route. It is the best way to stay supplied. Plus, I refuse to hide from these Oni. If the throne is mine, I will take it with honor. If the oni want to find us, let them. It will be one less to kill later" she says with a hint of a smile.

[Bella]

"So be it." says Ulf.

"Here's the Path of Aganhei. It continues from where the two paths would have met here" he says pointing to the place on the map where the black and tan lines meet "and then passes through Unaimo here" he says pointing to the purple dot on the map. "It is the last settlement before we reach the high ice."

"We will then go up and around past the Steaming Pits of Gheit, then past the southern faces of the Alabastrine Peaks (black dot), cuz you know we sure wouldn't want to go anywhere near the top of the world (center of the map)! Then after we clear the Alabastrine Peaks, we'll veer south, making for Dead Man's Dome (red dot). It used to be a trade station, but they said some nameless hero held off an army of giants and helped the merchants and folks escape. Supposed to be haunted but I doubt it. Past Dead Man's Dome, we go down into the Ruun Uvas basin to Ul-Angorn (blue dot), the first town of any size on the far side of the Crown. Then up and over Ovorikheer Pass and down to the Osman Confederation, through the lake country there past the town of Jaagiin (green dot) , and then over the tundra to the Wall of Heaven (yellow dot). One last pass to traverse, and we're back into the warm lands beyond!" he says with a smile that says 'it's that easy!'

"Questions?"

[girdnas]

"Yah! And what she says, goes!" says Jo, pointing at Sandru. "Oops, I mean." He points to Ameiko. Whispering to the nearest person, loud enough so all can hear, "They look so much alike. At least we know what the baby will look like." He finishes with a shudder.

[sandru]

Sandru rolls his eyes and his expression begs the question as to why Jo is even there.

"At least i don't look like the stuff found in a baby's diaper. As it was, the last time i took a dump i thought you were below me. But alas, i knew it couldn't be because less flies were attracted to it."

[Wakko]

I should also add the main route is actually longer, but it will take as long as the route through the woods as the woods path is not a main route. Each will take the same amount of time.

The choice comes down to easier but more people seeing you or possibly harder but more remote.

Our guide said that one way is faster? Is that true or not? I would of course, vote for the more civilized route. BTW, Po can cast Create Food and Water 3 times per day, which will feed 3 people a day. He can cast it 3 times.

[girdnas]

Thats good to know. So Po can feed 9 people per day. That will help quite a bit.

Jo chuckles at Sandru. "It is alright, Brother. Your slights upon my hideous visage (Jo is not ugly btw. His low charisma is due to his outlandish appearance and odd demeanor) do my ego well and hearken back to the days of my childhood. Ah the memories of being tormented and bullied. You strutted about with confidence borrowed from those you wronged, acting as if you were important. Seems little has changed." (ow, did that BURRRRRRN?)

(I'm using this to raise my negative relationship score with Sandru and Ameiko.)

[girdnas]

And to Ameiko, later when I find her momentarily alone.

Jo steps from a nearby shadow as Ameiko comes near. Staring intently at her, with an unusually serious look upon his face, Jo speaks in a low whisper, laced with disdain, "Do you think you are truly fit to be a ruler? You cannot even rule a handful of people you call your friends with any care. Your brashness may have gotten you through alive in the past, but will it get these people through our journey? You call for your enemies to descend upon you, but a true ruler knows, it is no longer only you they will descend upon. How many will die for your indifference, Your Highness?"

Turning, he shuffles off, no trace of his usual laughter in the night air.

(Not only is this meant to increase the negative relationship score, but also to provide Ameiko something to think about concerning the responsibilities before her.)

[ameiko]

She quickly walks after jo and grabs him by the shoulder, refraining herself from yanking his unnatural half headed long hair.

In a serious, low voice of her own she says back "I have done nothing but think of the people who both acompany me here but also those that will ride into battle with me in the future. You think that the Oni will just step aside when I arrive? I need of the people to hear of me." she says, her voice unknowingly getting louder. "To know that I WILL fight for them. How can I asked them to risk their lives for me if I would not risk my life for them? Lets those we fight take not only my name back with them, but all of us. Give the people hope. Take it as false bravado if you want," her voice is almost laced now, her eyes holding back tears "but everyday I fall asleep with fears of my friends dying or the people who I hope will believe in me being taken from thier family." giving up, she let's go and walks away.

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