It takes perhaps an hour to reach the big meadow a few miles northwest of the small clearing, trudging along the well-shaded northern game trail.
Now and then as you hike, ravens croak somewhere high in the ancient trees, hidden from view.
Then the trees give way to shrubs and grass. You find the wide clearing as you left it; a broad field of tall grass and bushes and briars, speckled with wildflowers. No deer or boar or other large animals, not that you can see, but Eric does find hoofprints of a doe crossing a patch of soft, damp ground. No man tracks.
Besides the way you entered, two trails leave this large, open area. One runs west and one runs southwest.
"I'm just at a loss," Shayne admits as he plops down on his butt to take a short breather. "Not a hint or sign of people other than us. Not a footprint, not a sign of a scuffle... Maybe that was just a place to stash the cart and oxen to hide that they took the miller further down the road? It doesn't make sense to me, but we have no sign at all the miller was ever here except for the cart. Anyone could have offed the miller along the road, taken the cart here to rummage it for what they wanted, found nothing worthwhile and so just left it?"
"Perhaps you were right, Eric. Perhaps we should be checking further up the road..."
"Hmph" he snorts. "We are here now. Two trails before us. Shayne, you're a gambling man, do you have a set of dice or cards? Perhaps we choose that way. Let fate guide us." A hint of sarcasm mixed in with his remark.
Eric squats in the meadow, tracing the deer tracks with his fingers. If the Miller did come this way, what am I missing.The question runs over and over again in his mind.
Alyna could not read minds, of course, but the question was obvious. "We are searching for human tracks. But may be we are wrong? Someone or something could drag the miller into the woods." She looked down and added quieter "or his body. I mean he probably did not really choose any direction voluntarily. But say he did choose - north trail is what anyone would choose, right? It's the way home, right? Anything else is just deeper into the woods."She felt like there is something to it and it does not sound completely stupid. "If I were the miller and run north hoping to get home by the path in the woods, I would take that western trail then and hope it will turn north again somewhere deeper."
"Or the opposite, of course - keep as south as possible to return to Monkshall"
(Since we are already here, Alyna's vote is for west path at the moment)
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
(If no one objects, you may count this break in the big clearing as a short rest, assuming your PCs discuss the search at some length, eat food, drink water, and rest their feet. If you prefer to move sooner, rather than later, don't count a brief pause as a short rest. Nobody has taken injuries, expended resources, etc. today, so it's not important for mechanical purposes.)
Shayne heard the sarcasm but didn't take it personally, one has a much easier time entertaining in taverns and pubs if one doesn't take too much personally. Instead Shayne turned and heard Alyna out. "Interesting... We haven't seen any drag marks though. Have we, Eric? But then again we have seen a giant, kind of talking bird. Perhaps there is even more oddness in these woods? Giant deer who can carry people? I doubt it, but I would have doubted big bird before we came here yesterday."
"I say we follow whatever animal tracks Eric can find?" Shayne says, with a lilt at the end making it a question.
Fammy mrows and sits at Shayne's feet with a little cat plop. "Fammy, though, votes to follow Alyna," Shayne translates. Looking down at the cat he half whispers "Traitor! And she doesn't even think you're a cat!"
A search shows that both unexplored trails get a good amount of animal traffic, but the prints seem heavier and more numerous along the western trail: deer, bear, and wolves.
“I just can’t see the miller coming in here if his own free will and I can’t see any being trying to rob him after he bought the grain.” Xylys seems very puzzled. “I still think the answer is in these woods and, so far the only out of the ordinary thing was that painted stone. So, I think we should check out that pathway.”
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Panic is a mechanism that strengthens the gene pool.
((We are waiting for Eric to decide. So far Alyna suggests to go by the west path from here and Xylys wants us to return all the way back to where cart was and go sought))
((We are waiting for Eric to decide. So far Alyna suggests go byt the west part from here and Xylys wants us to return all the way back to where cart was and go sought))
((Yes, this is also what it looks like to the DM. Take your time and post when you please guys. Letting Eric decide does make sense. he's the woodsman, after all.))
"Mmm. You are right Xylys. The stone appears to be the only thing out of the ordinary. However, I would say wolves were responsible for the massacre of the oxen. The wolves seem to have travelled the other path. In fact, most animals have travelled along the other path. If I were hunting, I would take that one. Given our current mission, I'm inclined to follow the stones path." He remains on his haunches while letting his low spoken words sink in.
Without warning he stands, draws his hand axe and starts down the path. "We've lingered long enough." And with that he strides down the southwest trail not waiting nor looking back to see if the others follow.
With a shrug, Shayne follows. As he follows Fammy will take off down the path and scout it out... Shayne takes out his flute, plays a leisurely tune, and walks on in the same way.
Eric made a speech about going back but then went on the third path leading deep into the woods. Alyna gave up on logic now and followed silently, listening to the Shayne 's music. She stopped at the crossroad with others and waiting for another decision.
Eric made a speech about going back but then went on the third path leading deep into the woods. Alyna gave up on logic now and followed silently, listening to the Shayne 's music. She stopped at the crossroad with others and waiting for another decision.
((I was surprised, too. But I think Eric's player is taking a guess about where trails might lead and where the paths might connect, rather than looping far back over ground the party has already covered.))
That, or you guys have become somewhat lost. I gave you a starting map, but as I said, after that it's up to you to update it or take your own notes. Or not. Handle exploration however you like.
((Sorry, over half the time I read and/or post I am on my cell phone and not really in a position to be drawing a map or such... Shayne is going to be perpetually lost.))
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
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5
It takes perhaps an hour to reach the big meadow a few miles northwest of the small clearing, trudging along the well-shaded northern game trail.
Now and then as you hike, ravens croak somewhere high in the ancient trees, hidden from view.
Then the trees give way to shrubs and grass. You find the wide clearing as you left it; a broad field of tall grass and bushes and briars, speckled with wildflowers. No deer or boar or other large animals, not that you can see, but Eric does find hoofprints of a doe crossing a patch of soft, damp ground. No man tracks.
Besides the way you entered, two trails leave this large, open area. One runs west and one runs southwest.
some options
1 take the west trail out of the big clearing, into the unknown
2 take the southwest trail out of the big clearing, into the unknown
3 return to the small clearing where you found the cart and dead oxen
4 other, please specify
The party can take a short rest anytime you like. It is now late morning.
"I'm just at a loss," Shayne admits as he plops down on his butt to take a short breather. "Not a hint or sign of people other than us. Not a footprint, not a sign of a scuffle... Maybe that was just a place to stash the cart and oxen to hide that they took the miller further down the road? It doesn't make sense to me, but we have no sign at all the miller was ever here except for the cart. Anyone could have offed the miller along the road, taken the cart here to rummage it for what they wanted, found nothing worthwhile and so just left it?"
"Perhaps you were right, Eric. Perhaps we should be checking further up the road..."
"Hmph" he snorts. "We are here now. Two trails before us. Shayne, you're a gambling man, do you have a set of dice or cards? Perhaps we choose that way. Let fate guide us." A hint of sarcasm mixed in with his remark.
Eric squats in the meadow, tracing the deer tracks with his fingers. If the Miller did come this way, what am I missing. The question runs over and over again in his mind.
Alyna could not read minds, of course, but the question was obvious. "We are searching for human tracks. But may be we are wrong? Someone or something could drag the miller into the woods." She looked down and added quieter "or his body. I mean he probably did not really choose any direction voluntarily. But say he did choose - north trail is what anyone would choose, right? It's the way home, right? Anything else is just deeper into the woods." She felt like there is something to it and it does not sound completely stupid. "If I were the miller and run north hoping to get home by the path in the woods, I would take that western trail then and hope it will turn north again somewhere deeper."
"Or the opposite, of course - keep as south as possible to return to Monkshall"
(Since we are already here, Alyna's vote is for west path at the moment)
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
(If no one objects, you may count this break in the big clearing as a short rest, assuming your PCs discuss the search at some length, eat food, drink water, and rest their feet. If you prefer to move sooner, rather than later, don't count a brief pause as a short rest. Nobody has taken injuries, expended resources, etc. today, so it's not important for mechanical purposes.)
6
Shayne heard the sarcasm but didn't take it personally, one has a much easier time entertaining in taverns and pubs if one doesn't take too much personally. Instead Shayne turned and heard Alyna out. "Interesting... We haven't seen any drag marks though. Have we, Eric? But then again we have seen a giant, kind of talking bird. Perhaps there is even more oddness in these woods? Giant deer who can carry people? I doubt it, but I would have doubted big bird before we came here yesterday."
"I say we follow whatever animal tracks Eric can find?" Shayne says, with a lilt at the end making it a question.
Fammy mrows and sits at Shayne's feet with a little cat plop. "Fammy, though, votes to follow Alyna," Shayne translates. Looking down at the cat he half whispers "Traitor! And she doesn't even think you're a cat!"
A search shows that both unexplored trails get a good amount of animal traffic, but the prints seem heavier and more numerous along the western trail: deer, bear, and wolves.
“I just can’t see the miller coming in here if his own free will and I can’t see any being trying to rob him after he bought the grain.” Xylys seems very puzzled. “I still think the answer is in these woods and, so far the only out of the ordinary thing was that painted stone. So, I think we should check out that pathway.”
Panic is a mechanism that strengthens the gene pool.
The stop for a short rest in the big clearing gives you all the chance to eat, drink, even to remove your footgear and rub your feet if you like.
The sun rises higher, beyond the clouds, and the chill of morning gives way to a summerlike warmth.
The shadows under the tall trees look as cool as ever.
((We are waiting for Eric to decide. So far Alyna suggests to go by the west path from here and Xylys wants us to return all the way back to where cart was and go sought))
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
((Yes, this is also what it looks like to the DM. Take your time and post when you please guys. Letting Eric decide does make sense. he's the woodsman, after all.))
"Mmm. You are right Xylys. The stone appears to be the only thing out of the ordinary. However, I would say wolves were responsible for the massacre of the oxen. The wolves seem to have travelled the other path. In fact, most animals have travelled along the other path. If I were hunting, I would take that one. Given our current mission, I'm inclined to follow the stones path." He remains on his haunches while letting his low spoken words sink in.
Without warning he stands, draws his hand axe and starts down the path. "We've lingered long enough." And with that he strides down the southwest trail not waiting nor looking back to see if the others follow.
Taking the southwest trail out of the large clearing, Eric leads his group through the dark lane surrounded by the high timber...
2
With a shrug, Shayne follows. As he follows Fammy will take off down the path and scout it out... Shayne takes out his flute, plays a leisurely tune, and walks on in the same way.
The party marches on for more than an hour and arrives at a junction where the trail joins another trail, running more or less less north to south.
1
North
2
South
3
Other
7
Eric made a speech about going back but then went on the third path leading deep into the woods. Alyna gave up on logic now and followed silently, listening to the Shayne 's music. She stopped at the crossroad with others and waiting for another decision.
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
((I was surprised, too. But I think Eric's player is taking a guess about where trails might lead and where the paths might connect, rather than looping far back over ground the party has already covered.))
That, or you guys have become somewhat lost. I gave you a starting map, but as I said, after that it's up to you to update it or take your own notes. Or not. Handle exploration however you like.
The forest does hold some surprises...
((Sorry, over half the time I read and/or post I am on my cell phone and not really in a position to be drawing a map or such... Shayne is going to be perpetually lost.))