Essie wrinkles her nose as she leans over the table and studies the map. The conversation just kind of flows around her as she traces a finger along the roads, mouthing the names of towns as she goes. She finds herself getting excited; there's so much to explore! And they're going to Waterdeep! A city! She's honestly so glad she'd decided to leave the forest - and grateful that she'd found good people to travel with.

She does look up as Helena speaks. "Oh, yes. Traveling in the dark isn't always fun," she says. "Best to get moving while the sun is still high."

Sphyboe sincerely accepts the suggestion offered by Ryndar and decides to seek apology:

"I shouldn't have suspected you, Morak. I wanted to be extra cautious about everything, or the encounter with the potentially dangerous opponents will defeat us into subjugation, hope you understand."

She pulls out the Hempen Rope from the side of her Backpack and shows that to Morak:

"I didn't want to accept anything else since I had already bought a pair of Grappling Hook from the trading post, do you see that? Thanks for your hospitality, we will remember you."

While Daerthe would rather be greedy and take what they needed and more, she sees that it would be foolish to take more then they could carry. "We could inquire about transportation. It would make traveling easier and then we could carry what we need much easier. Although that would make us a target so we should weigh the risks of such things."

. 

"Unless you have in mind a coach or something, I think walking might suit me best." Helena says, thinking of trying to ride a horse and giving a slight shudder at the thought. "I think I'll stay away from something I have to actually ride, thank you very much."

“We could look into hiring a coach in Waterdeep, or perhaps tag along with a supply caravan, if one is heading North. We might even get paid, if that caravan is in need of security for the journey.” Bramble suggests. “I know I’ve seen traders hauling items along that road in the past, but I am uncertain if there is a season for the commerce or if we are in that season.”

Once the party has completed everything they want to do in Nightstone, you all head out on the road. Many of the townsfolk stop to shout their thanks and their wishes for your good fortune. It is late morning and the sun is starting to burn away the clouds. The temperature is cool enough that you remain comfortable as you begin to take the path south from Nightstone toward the High Road. At a normal pace, Helena and Ryndar know that you should make it to an inn at the Zundbridge where the road crosses the Dessarin River by evening.

(I’d like two folks who are keeping an eye out for trouble to make Perception rolls.)

Flashback for Essie:

Perception 7

Helena has her owl winging overhead, keeping its eyes out for danger...

Owl perception: 17

Daerthe keeps her hood pulled low and sticks to the shade as much as possible while they travel throughout the day. Occasionally she looks up but is clearly squinting due to the light from the sun.

Perception: 10

You all make your way along the Nightstone path without any issue. At times, the path winds closer to the Ardeep River that rushes along over rocks or runs smoothly. You spy a heron on the banks, silently watching for fish that might make it a fine meal. Continuing, you see a farmhouse or two, off in the distance to the west, a reminder of the hardy folk who make their living far from the protection of city walls.

After a few hours, you reach the High Road and turn northwest to head toward Waterdeep. The way is much broader now and a stronger breeze comes from the west and the Sea of Swords that lies beyond your sight in that direction.

(Anything you wish to do or say through this first half of your day’s journey?)

"I suggest we take the river route of Dessarin to start our journey for the destination, look at the way the waves...."- Sphyboe attempts to propose an alternative path to reach Triboar when she carefully inspects the markings on the map that has been provided by Morak. But she suddenly goes completely silent detecting the presence of a creature nearby. She will try to sneak on the Heron who's absorbed in hunting for fishes while retracting the Grappling Hook attached to the Hempen Rope from her inventory.

Dexterity (Stealth): 10 (rolled in gamelog)

Then she'll use her movement to get closer to the unsuspecting bird and throw the hook towards it after spinning the rope to maintain balance in order to grapple the creature.

Grapple Check: 20

Daerthe continues to keep close to the others unlike her usual attitude of staying to the back. She keeps her hands at the ready, the strange energy occasionally flickering along her hands.

As Sphyboe approaches the river bank, the heron suddenly takes flight and just barely avoids the grappling hook that flies toward the air toward it. The hook splashes in the water and the heron flies southwest along the river away from you.

Bramble struggles to hide his grin seeing the heron escape.

”I’m pretty sure much of the Dessarin is navigable, but I’m not sure if it is all the way to Yartar. Nor do I know if it is possible to book passage on a trade vessel. I am no sailor and it is upstream the whole way if you were thinking of securing our own boat. But it is a viable option that could be explored.”

"Or we can simply stay to the roads." Helena points out. "We need to get to Waterdeep, for various reasons, then we need to move on north from there, so not sure why we are discussing the river at this point."

When we resume our journey and fall back into “marching order”, Bramble will speed up or linger to fall in step beside Essie (our party’s healer).

”Ho there. How are you holding up? That armor looks to be tiresome. We’re making good progress, though.”

Bramble glances at the others in turn and tries to assess by their gait how strong everyone is feeling. In a more conservative tone and volume,

“How does everyone else look to you? Do you think anyone has burned through their breakfast and might benefit from a goodberry? I had conjured some last night and they’ll be effective until later this evening. I’m sorta holding onto them in case we run into trouble, but maybe hunger is our biggest trouble right now. What do you think, should I just distribute them and let them eat or not eat them as they decide?”

(BTW, “conservative tone and volume” doesn’t mean he can’t be overheard. If anyone wants to object to Bramble’s discussion, speak up.)

Essie has been enjoying their walk. It's definitely something to get used to, traveling with others. But she's finding that she enjoys it so far. Humming softly to herself, she looks at Bramble. "Hm? Oh, no, this armor is practically nothing anymore," she tells him. She taps the center of her chest with a smile. "I've been wearing it for so long, I almost always forget it's here."

At his last words, she now studies the others with a tilt to her head. Another quiet hum, less musically tuned this time, more of an acknowledgment. "Everyone seems fine to me. I think. They look the same as yesterday, at least, just perhaps less tired? Definitely less injured." She gives him a shrug. "Hold onto the berries for now? If anyone gets hungry, they can always speak up. Right?" She looks a little unsure, as if she's not really used to giving other people her opinion.

“Thank you, Essie. I accept your wise counsel. I am not used to traveling with companions, nor with the feeling of responsibility to their well being. So this is all kinda new to me.”

After a bit of awkward silence, Bramble continues, “Did I overhear that you obtained a special trinket recently? That’s very exciting. Might I see it?”

Sphyboe will hand over the map to Bramble and Helena so that they can examine the ink markings on the parchment which have been drawn by the Sorcerer woman earlier. In fact, it will clarify her claim and provide further information about the suggested riverine route, as well as preventing the map from getting blurred by water splash.

She seems embarrassed to lose her feminine pride when she watches the Druid companion grinning at her distressed condition. The water drops from the river have ruined her clothes and boots when she stands at the bank of the river flabbergasted by the quick-witted Heron. Tiny bird with the brain of a devil's minion! Ah...a perfect match!