!!Lost Mine of Phandelver Campaign Thread!!

Whistler looks at his wings, a little sad at the word fly.

 Umbriel looks around at his companions, and realizes that he was perhaps being overconfident. It actually disturbs him just a little bit that he was willing to march right up to the dragon's lair without hesitation.

"Alright then - Given what we know about the dragon and its general attitude towards things, I think you're all right - any talking we do is likely to devolve into combat, which we'd be hard pressed to survive, much less emerge victorious. I suggest we deal with it, perhaps just not now. Shall we make best speed for Cragmaw Castle, then?"

Baeshra will nod, and start getting the mule moving the right direction, giving Droop some tips on the way so he can better look after the animals while the rest of them fight.

Animal Handling? 17

Reidoth nods, disappointed, but says: "I understand.  I don't want to deal with the Dragon either.  You folks come back as soon as you can!"

Looking at the map (https://www.dndbeyond.com/forums/d-d-beyond-general/play-by-post/60066-lost-mine-of-phandelver-campaign-thread?page=97#c1938) you can see there are several routes:

1. Straight from Thundertree through Neverwinter Wood to Cragmaw Castle.  This will take about two days at a normal pace, and probably a little more dangerous and harder to navigate in the woods.

2. Back on the grasslands along Neverwinter Wood and then cut straight through the woods.  This will also take about two days, with only the final section being in the woods.

3. The trail to Neverwinter and then the road all the way and cut north off the Triboar trail.  This will take about 4 days but be much safer.

Regardless of which you take, you can go to Neverwinter first for supplies if needed.

Which way?

The party sets out in late morning, heading south and following the woodline to the east.  The first two hours go by uneventfully.  Droop is happily talking to the horses and occasionally taking his shortsword out and swiping at the tall grass.

What's the marching order, and everyone make a Perception check for looking out for danger or other interesting sights for the day?

Droops Perception: 2

Baeshra will be keeping pace with Droop and the mule, probably in the middle?

Perception: 26

Survival: 7

(on mobile) 

Umbriel will ride Pale, in front of the cart.

Perception: 15

Survival: 21

Ireniana Perception - 24

Whistler whistles song requests as he rides shotgun on the cart.

Perception: 12

Performance: 6

Rosie perception: 17

Perception: 6

Sorry, I should have had you roll stealth as well, I'll roll them in proxy.  This isn't for sneaking, just to see how much noise the group is making as you travel.

Droop Stealth: 23.
Whistler: 21
Umbriel: 10
Baeshra: 18
Rosie: 8
Ireniana: 7
Lyngheid: 15

Wow!  The armor clad fighter is the only one who is not making a lot of noise!

Morning is drawing to an end.  The party is starting to think about finding a spot to stop for lunch.  You come to the crest of a small hill and Baeshra and Ireniana look across a shallow valley to see a band of goblins cresting the hill on the other side.  They haven't seen you yet, but it won't be long before they do.

From the quick, but very perceptive look that the two of you got of the goblins you can tell that this is a large band, probably somewhere around two dozen of them.

So far Ireniana and Baeshra are the only ones that have seen the goblins. 

Baeshra will quickly motion for the others to get back down behind the hill and then drop low and try to hide while he watches what they do and where they're headed.

Stealth: 19

Perception: 20

Ireniana will stay behind the hill as well. 

Seeing Baeshra and Ireniana stop and drop, Umbriel will dismount and hold Pale and the cart a safe distance back until signaled otherwise.

The party picks up on Baeshra's cue and backs slowly down the hill, out of sight for now. Baeshra stay prone at the top keeping an eye on the goblins. 

Baeshra, you watch as the goblins make their way quietly and stealthily down their side and reach the bottom of the hill. They start up your side,heading pretty much straight for the top where you are at. You estimate that they will be there in about two minutes, unless they spot you before then. 

(How far away are they?)

124 yards. 

Baeshra will crawl down to the others and quickly whisper to them the situation, "I don't see a good way to avoid a fight here. I say we get ready to try and ambush them, any large scale spells or such to start things off would be best."

Umbriel motions Droop forward, then says to the group "We heard that Droop's clan lived somewhere around here - maybe he can take a look and either intercede on our behalf, or if he isn't familiar with them, at least tell us if there are more we should be watching for on the flanks.  If diplomacy fails, I have a large area spell I think will work."