It is ten days since Midsummer. The sky is cloudy, and the air is still. Temperatures are mild, becoming chilly overnight, and four adventurers find themselves in Harthwaite.
Harthwaite is a village of some seven hundred people, ringed by a region of forested hills that the local inhabitants call the Outmar Timberlands. At the center of the village is a well surrounded by an open space used for daily markets, where traveling merchants ply their wares, and where the villagers gather to barter and gossip. Nearby stand the local temple as well as a trading post where most common supplies can be purchased
Ganod, Ludwig, Syl, and Tazlynn, you have become acquainted with one another during your time in Harthwaite and meet now in the public space to make plans to go on a journey. Please describe your character to the group and discuss your character’s reasons for wanting to brave the wilderness and to risk adventure, as well as any last minute preparations you would like to make.
Tazlynn had redish dark brown hair, in a short loose braid that lay on her shoulder. She was a taller sort of Dwarf but still pretty decently dwarf sized. You could plainly see her long now and arrow quiver sitting on her back. She looked among the group and stood up straight. "This is just where you want to be! Adventure on every side of this town!" She exclaimed. Her need for adventure grew as she got older and wanted to become a true hero for her clan.
Syl smiles at Tazlynn's exclamation. The druid's rusty, shoulder-length hair and beard sit atop his fairly average human frame. His crystal blue eyes survey the bustling village as he takes off his cloak and shoves it into his pack. He throws it over his back and steadies himself with his quarterstaff. "Aye, you are right, friend," he starts. "I served my village and the surrounding wood well over the years, but it is time to seek a new path. After all, mother earth reclaims each of us, so best to use our time exploring her many wonders."
Ganod was a fairly tall and leanly built human, he could have even been called good looking if it wasn't for the plaster of dirt that seemed to stick to his body, along with the stink of alcohol. However, despite the drink in his hand, and his lazy posture as he laid back in his seat, his icy white eyes seemed sharp as they slowly gazed over everyone from behind his dirty black bangs. His vest seemed both comfy yet tight, carrying a drinking gourd and machete looking blade at his side.
Ganod gives a small yawn as he pops his neck with a slight twist, "So long as it pays well, we can have as much adventure as you two want." He popped open his gourd and began pouring his drink into it. "Anyone have an idea where to start? No offense, but I wouldn't call us the most experienced bunch, so please no dragons or giants." He said the last bit somewhat sarcastically, but also somewhat seriously.
While you’re all waiting for your companion, Ludwig, to arrive, it might be a good time to discuss exactly how you plan to set out on your first day When you’re ready to begin, and on each day of travel, there are certain things I’ll need to know.
First, tell me in what direction you want to travel, whether in a direction like North, South, East, or West, or following some feature of the land.
Second, tell me at what pace you will be traveling, whether fast, medium, or slow. Going at a slow pace lets you try to be stealthy, while traveling at a fast pace makes it harder to notice hidden threats.
Third, what activity does each of your characters undertake while traveling? Possible activities are watching for danger, navigating, drawing a map, tracking, and foraging. If your character doesn’t choose one of the other activities, I’ll assume they’re watching for danger.
Last, establish a marching order for the party and let me know if it changes.
You can also let me know if there are any supplies you want to purchase while you’re still in the village.
Syl, add a set of traveler’s clothes (of which I assume your cloak is part) and a backpack to your equipment and subtract 4 gp from your starting gold. Also, equip yourself with anything else you want to have with you and pay the cost from your starting gold.
If it isn’t on your character sheet when you leave the village, you probably don’t have it.
Ganod will go along with whatever the party decides, but will also buy an extra set of rations. (6 more rations for 3 GP)
When it comes time to get moving, he drinks and mummers song lyrics, but also keeps his eyes peeled to their surroundings. He makes little move to interact with the party, outside of small calls or jests, or the occasional warning for a possible hazardous branch or such.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Added all of my starting druid equipment - sorry, should have done that first. I will buy some fishing tackle, though. Any potions available in the village? Minor healing? Would we know anything about the surroundings in any direction? If we're all out looking for adventure we might want to avoid heading in the direction we came from (not assuming that's the same direction, of course). Otherwise, east sounds good!
"East sounds perfect, Taz," Syl pauses and looks back. "Is it okay if I call you Taz? Anyway, I think there's a stream that flows that way as well. Might be worth following that for a bit. Should provide us with fresh water, food, and when we get to larger section there's bound to be more civilization."
Syl will travel toward the front (first or second is fine) at a normal/average pace. If possible, he'll be keeping watch both for danger and for anything that he can potentially forage. He'd also be keen to find any Druidic messages as they travel through the wilderness, excited as a novice druid himself. Perception: 19
A short, bow legged man, hobbles towards the party. His ruddy skin is covered in soot. "Sorry I'm late, the house was on fire." He pauses, "Oh right, Presto cleanso!" With a flourish of his ebony wand the ash is gone, and you see his robes are actually red (cast prestidigitation here). He forces an awkward smile, as his fine black hair falls over his eyes. Using his wand he brushes it back into place. "So where are we headed?"
Ludwig will travel 3rd at a normal pace, and will forage as we travel (keeping an eye out for medicinal herbs, arcane spell components, and a tasty snack).
Arrows, rations, and fishing tackle are all readily available at the trading post, as are potions of healing, for 50 gp a vial.
Feel free to posit details about the surrounding area that your character might already know, as you would certain other things about the setting that pertain to your character’s background, including from what direction your character originally came, if not native to the village.
It’s mid-morning as you head out. Paths out of the village are easy to find, but while the hills that surround Harthwaite are not steep, the forest is dense due to thick stands of slender young trees that have grown up in place of bigger ones cut down by the villagers over the years, and the trails quickly become circuitous and meandering. Progress is difficult, and you must walk in single file.
Syl and Ludwig, make a DC 15 Wisdom (Survival) check to see if your efforts at foraging are successful Syl, make yours with disadvantage because your attention is divided between foraging and watching for danger.
"You know, I've walked these woods for years, but today it feels like a first time." Ludwig stares around wide eyed. "New growth, echoed by a new beginning, a good omen perhaps." After walking in silence for a few minutes, Ludwig turns to Tazlynn, "Tazlynn, have you ever eaten chicken of the woods? It tastes just like chicken. If we're lucky we should be able to find some." Survival check: 7
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Survival: 6
"Oh yes, chicken of the woods is quite delicious. Fry it up with some butter and garlic. Mmmm." Syl is looking around excitedly - maybe less focused than he would normally be. He's never been this far east before. His forested village is only a few miles west of their recent departure point, and he never strayed far from there. He was content to help his family and friends...farming, foraging, hunting. But it was time for something new. He looks around happily at his companions.
OOC: I also purchased one healing potion before we left.
Tazlynn shrugs at Syl. "Taz is fine. It doesn't really matter to me what I'm called." As they make their way out of town Tazlynn focuses on what's ahead of her even though it was mostly her party members backs. She does take moments to get distracted and focus on what's around her through the forest. She then hears Ludwig and she raised an eyebrow, "I have not I'm afraid."
Ludwig and Syl, you don’t find any food, nor any medicinal herbs. The forest is pretty well picked over by the inhabitants of the village, whose isolated dwellings you occasionally pass.
You do, Ludwig, find some owl feathers and bits of wood to use in some of your spells
Streams are plentiful in this part of the timberland, and everyone manages to keep a full water skin.
Despite the maze-like pathways of the forest, your progress is not impeded, as Tazlynn, not so much leading as driving the party, even from behind, indicates this or that pathway as the correct one for staying true to course.
By late morning, you have reached the eastern edge of the Outmar Timberlands, a journey which, as anyone would know who had passed that way without one so skilled in woodcraft as the dwarf, should have taken twice as long.
The rolling wooded slopes of the timberland give way to steep hills only sparsely populated by gnarled trees, and by mid-day you find yourselves deep amongst The Unwelcoming Slopes, as you have heard them called.
Just to clarify, I’m checking in to see if anyone wants to change their activity while traveling or if the group wants to change its pace or direction of travel or marching order. I’ll generally assume that declarations made at the beginning of a day’s journey remain in effect for the entire day, but in this case the mid-point seemed like a good place to take any new declarations.
The narrow path through the rocky hills requires the party to walk in single file. Right now, I’m imagining a marching order of Ganod, Syl, Ludwig, and then Tazlynn. Let me know if anyone wants to adjust that.
The stream issues from the forest and continues generally eastward, so you can continue to follow its course.
Also, Syl, what sort of message do you imagine the other members of your order are trying to send you?
Syl would be looking out for anything that might serve as a warning, or point to something that isn't easily visible. A cave, something hidden in a tree, and so on. He isn't entirely sure what to expect as this is his first time traveling this far into the wilderness, but he's excited to try and find anything left from a fellow druid.
Ludwig sidles up to Syl. "Any bites?" He kicks a pebble. "Is this your first adventure? I'm not afraid to admit that it's my first, and I'm not quite sure how one should go about adventuring. Should I have been looking for fiends instead of mushrooms?"
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It is ten days since Midsummer. The sky is cloudy, and the air is still. Temperatures are mild, becoming chilly overnight, and four adventurers find themselves in Harthwaite.
Harthwaite is a village of some seven hundred people, ringed by a region of forested hills that the local inhabitants call the Outmar Timberlands. At the center of the village is a well surrounded by an open space used for daily markets, where traveling merchants ply their wares, and where the villagers gather to barter and gossip. Nearby stand the local temple as well as a trading post where most common supplies can be purchased
Ganod, Ludwig, Syl, and Tazlynn, you have become acquainted with one another during your time in Harthwaite and meet now in the public space to make plans to go on a journey. Please describe your character to the group and discuss your character’s reasons for wanting to brave the wilderness and to risk adventure, as well as any last minute preparations you would like to make.
Tazlynn had redish dark brown hair, in a short loose braid that lay on her shoulder. She was a taller sort of Dwarf but still pretty decently dwarf sized. You could plainly see her long now and arrow quiver sitting on her back. She looked among the group and stood up straight. "This is just where you want to be! Adventure on every side of this town!" She exclaimed. Her need for adventure grew as she got older and wanted to become a true hero for her clan.
Syl smiles at Tazlynn's exclamation. The druid's rusty, shoulder-length hair and beard sit atop his fairly average human frame. His crystal blue eyes survey the bustling village as he takes off his cloak and shoves it into his pack. He throws it over his back and steadies himself with his quarterstaff. "Aye, you are right, friend," he starts. "I served my village and the surrounding wood well over the years, but it is time to seek a new path. After all, mother earth reclaims each of us, so best to use our time exploring her many wonders."
DM - Above & Below
Ganod was a fairly tall and leanly built human, he could have even been called good looking if it wasn't for the plaster of dirt that seemed to stick to his body, along with the stink of alcohol. However, despite the drink in his hand, and his lazy posture as he laid back in his seat, his icy white eyes seemed sharp as they slowly gazed over everyone from behind his dirty black bangs. His vest seemed both comfy yet tight, carrying a drinking gourd and machete looking blade at his side.
Ganod gives a small yawn as he pops his neck with a slight twist, "So long as it pays well, we can have as much adventure as you two want." He popped open his gourd and began pouring his drink into it. "Anyone have an idea where to start? No offense, but I wouldn't call us the most experienced bunch, so please no dragons or giants." He said the last bit somewhat sarcastically, but also somewhat seriously.
While you’re all waiting for your companion, Ludwig, to arrive, it might be a good time to discuss exactly how you plan to set out on your first day When you’re ready to begin, and on each day of travel, there are certain things I’ll need to know.
First, tell me in what direction you want to travel, whether in a direction like North, South, East, or West, or following some feature of the land.
Second, tell me at what pace you will be traveling, whether fast, medium, or slow. Going at a slow pace lets you try to be stealthy, while traveling at a fast pace makes it harder to notice hidden threats.
Third, what activity does each of your characters undertake while traveling? Possible activities are watching for danger, navigating, drawing a map, tracking, and foraging. If your character doesn’t choose one of the other activities, I’ll assume they’re watching for danger.
Last, establish a marching order for the party and let me know if it changes.
You can also let me know if there are any supplies you want to purchase while you’re still in the village.
Syl, add a set of traveler’s clothes (of which I assume your cloak is part) and a backpack to your equipment and subtract 4 gp from your starting gold. Also, equip yourself with anything else you want to have with you and pay the cost from your starting gold.
If it isn’t on your character sheet when you leave the village, you probably don’t have it.
Ganod will go along with whatever the party decides, but will also buy an extra set of rations. (6 more rations for 3 GP)
When it comes time to get moving, he drinks and mummers song lyrics, but also keeps his eyes peeled to their surroundings. He makes little move to interact with the party, outside of small calls or jests, or the occasional warning for a possible hazardous branch or such.
Perception: 25
Tazlynn would buy 40 more arrows for 2gp to be safe.
She would also be in the middle/last of the marching order.
Tazlynn looks east, "East sounds like a fair decision." She nods to herself and looks back toward everyone.
Added all of my starting druid equipment - sorry, should have done that first. I will buy some fishing tackle, though. Any potions available in the village? Minor healing? Would we know anything about the surroundings in any direction? If we're all out looking for adventure we might want to avoid heading in the direction we came from (not assuming that's the same direction, of course). Otherwise, east sounds good!
"East sounds perfect, Taz," Syl pauses and looks back. "Is it okay if I call you Taz? Anyway, I think there's a stream that flows that way as well. Might be worth following that for a bit. Should provide us with fresh water, food, and when we get to larger section there's bound to be more civilization."
Syl will travel toward the front (first or second is fine) at a normal/average pace. If possible, he'll be keeping watch both for danger and for anything that he can potentially forage. He'd also be keen to find any Druidic messages as they travel through the wilderness, excited as a novice druid himself. Perception: 19
DM - Above & Below
A short, bow legged man, hobbles towards the party. His ruddy skin is covered in soot. "Sorry I'm late, the house was on fire." He pauses, "Oh right, Presto cleanso!" With a flourish of his ebony wand the ash is gone, and you see his robes are actually red (cast prestidigitation here). He forces an awkward smile, as his fine black hair falls over his eyes. Using his wand he brushes it back into place. "So where are we headed?"
Ludwig will travel 3rd at a normal pace, and will forage as we travel (keeping an eye out for medicinal herbs, arcane spell components, and a tasty snack).
Arrows, rations, and fishing tackle are all readily available at the trading post, as are potions of healing, for 50 gp a vial.
Feel free to posit details about the surrounding area that your character might already know, as you would certain other things about the setting that pertain to your character’s background, including from what direction your character originally came, if not native to the village.
It’s mid-morning as you head out. Paths out of the village are easy to find, but while the hills that surround Harthwaite are not steep, the forest is dense due to thick stands of slender young trees that have grown up in place of bigger ones cut down by the villagers over the years, and the trails quickly become circuitous and meandering. Progress is difficult, and you must walk in single file.
Syl and Ludwig, make a DC 15 Wisdom (Survival) check to see if your efforts at foraging are successful Syl, make yours with disadvantage because your attention is divided between foraging and watching for danger.
"You know, I've walked these woods for years, but today it feels like a first time." Ludwig stares around wide eyed. "New growth, echoed by a new beginning, a good omen perhaps." After walking in silence for a few minutes, Ludwig turns to Tazlynn, "Tazlynn, have you ever eaten chicken of the woods? It tastes just like chicken. If we're lucky we should be able to find some."
Survival check: 7
Survival: 6
"Oh yes, chicken of the woods is quite delicious. Fry it up with some butter and garlic. Mmmm." Syl is looking around excitedly - maybe less focused than he would normally be. He's never been this far east before. His forested village is only a few miles west of their recent departure point, and he never strayed far from there. He was content to help his family and friends...farming, foraging, hunting. But it was time for something new. He looks around happily at his companions.
OOC: I also purchased one healing potion before we left.
DM - Above & Below
Tazlynn shrugs at Syl. "Taz is fine. It doesn't really matter to me what I'm called." As they make their way out of town Tazlynn focuses on what's ahead of her even though it was mostly her party members backs. She does take moments to get distracted and focus on what's around her through the forest. She then hears Ludwig and she raised an eyebrow, "I have not I'm afraid."
Gained gives a dry chuckle to the party's banter, opting to take another swing from his gourd.
Ludwig and Syl, you don’t find any food, nor any medicinal herbs. The forest is pretty well picked over by the inhabitants of the village, whose isolated dwellings you occasionally pass.
You do, Ludwig, find some owl feathers and bits of wood to use in some of your spells
Streams are plentiful in this part of the timberland, and everyone manages to keep a full water skin.
Despite the maze-like pathways of the forest, your progress is not impeded, as Tazlynn, not so much leading as driving the party, even from behind, indicates this or that pathway as the correct one for staying true to course.
By late morning, you have reached the eastern edge of the Outmar Timberlands, a journey which, as anyone would know who had passed that way without one so skilled in woodcraft as the dwarf, should have taken twice as long.
The rolling wooded slopes of the timberland give way to steep hills only sparsely populated by gnarled trees, and by mid-day you find yourselves deep amongst The Unwelcoming Slopes, as you have heard them called.
Which way do you go?
(it just occurred to me that we should have bought a map back in town XD)
Ganod looks around and shrugs, throwing his head back to speak to his companions, "Keep headed Eastward?"
Syl surveys the hills and nods. "East seems as good as any direction."
If we're leaving the stream, Syl would like to try and use his fishing tackle to catch some dinner first.
Nature: 22
DM - Above & Below
Just to clarify, I’m checking in to see if anyone wants to change their activity while traveling or if the group wants to change its pace or direction of travel or marching order. I’ll generally assume that declarations made at the beginning of a day’s journey remain in effect for the entire day, but in this case the mid-point seemed like a good place to take any new declarations.
The narrow path through the rocky hills requires the party to walk in single file. Right now, I’m imagining a marching order of Ganod, Syl, Ludwig, and then Tazlynn. Let me know if anyone wants to adjust that.
The stream issues from the forest and continues generally eastward, so you can continue to follow its course.
Also, Syl, what sort of message do you imagine the other members of your order are trying to send you?
Syl would be looking out for anything that might serve as a warning, or point to something that isn't easily visible. A cave, something hidden in a tree, and so on. He isn't entirely sure what to expect as this is his first time traveling this far into the wilderness, but he's excited to try and find anything left from a fellow druid.
DM - Above & Below
Ludwig sidles up to Syl. "Any bites?" He kicks a pebble. "Is this your first adventure? I'm not afraid to admit that it's my first, and I'm not quite sure how one should go about adventuring. Should I have been looking for fiends instead of mushrooms?"