Merah doesn't even slightly stop to look over her shoulder, just keeps moving. As much as she likes to fight, she understands the importance of retreating from time to time, too. And it's been a while since she's been hit like this, so she has absolutely no problem in ducking her head and keeping moving. As she runs, her hand pressed against her side, she keeps her voice low as she can and asks, "Are we heading back the same way we came, or checking out that other path we saw?"
With Val's exit, you're all able to successfully leave the Shrine without incident. The town of Conyberry is close to the North, though none amoung you could say what state it's in. Phandalin to the West is possible as well, though it would be another day's walk again at minimum.
'Somwhere close would be ideal to at least catch our breath. But not too close to be spotted...'
Val wipes the blood from his blade before sheathing it, wincing a bit in pain as he does. He then looks to his companions to see if they have a destination in mind.
OOC: I say we walk an hour, take a short rest and then push on to Conyberry for the night.
"Yeah, sure. Let's get a little distance, then hide off the path a bit and rest up some. This way!" Without waiting for a response, Merah starts heading up the path to the north. "Don't wanna run into any of those rats we left behind," she calls as an explanation over her shoulder. But maybe the orcs running into those rats wouldn't be too bad, she thinks. There'd be at least a bit of a warning, given the loudness of the rats' shrieking if attacked.
Fleeing the shrine you hear the echoing wails of a great beast boom across the skies. Perhaps this was the giant, or perhaps the orcs have simply found a way to collaborate in sound. In either case, it betrays the idea that what's behind you will be going anywhere. As you make your way back into the hills, you notice the fog clouds have lifted about the Shrine and you can feel the sense of danger pass...
(The horizontal path is the Triboar Trail. North is Conyberry, South is the Shrine.)
The peace that you entered leaving the shrine continued through the afternoon into the fading light of dusk once more. Just before the tree line, as before, you are all made aware of various scurrying creatures, fruit bushes and birds that inhabit such borderlands.
(2 Hours between Shrine and Conyberry, free to Rp the distance between Shrine, Crossroads, and just before the town. Moves from afternoon to dusk.)
Mechanics:
Short Rest, you may all roll 1 of your hit dice + con
Val takes up a position to cover the party's backtrail, turning over the tactical choices he made that nearly got them all killed....
The booming echoing from behind them is particularly disconcerting. Eventually he speaks up, addressing his comrades 'My apologies friends, if my rash behavior endangered you all. I'm afraid I tend to see all problems as the sort that can best be cut down of bowled over.'
Merah had given a full body flinch at the loud noise earlier, but she's relaxed more and more as the peacefulness has endured. Now she's humming again as they walk, easily pushing the injury and the pain to the back of her mind. Her head perks up as Val speaks, and she gives him a grin. "Nah, don't worry bout it," she says, waving a hand in the air. "Fightin's fun, so I ain't gonna complain. Sides, we made a pretty good team in the end. Killed five orcs, didn't we?"
Walking up to the trees reveals a dedicated pathway to the small town that must have been cleared some time ago. There are weeds and small growths all about it with the stringy bridges of many spiders crossing overhead.
Upon entering the forest, you are all made aware of a faint smell of smoke that grows as you move forward. Less than a half hour later you're all made aware of its source.
At the end of the path is a small village with five buildings. In the dark you can see the building to the East standing alone was aflame. Some kind of symbol on the roof stood like the last sailor on a sinking ship, watching in silent contemplation of its imminent doom. The four buildings nearby seemed unaffected by the blaze. Instead they surrounded a smoldering communal firepit that seemed to have burned out some time ago. The building to the Southwest has a large cart in front of it.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
ahhh shit. we're back in it!
Val takes a deep breath, nostrils flaring as he does. 'We may have leapt from the frying pan into the proverbial fire here my friends. Blades and eyes up'. Suiting deeds to action, the dragonborn pulls his sword free from its home, keeping his shield up and eyes scanning for trouble.
The fire burning in the center of the four buildings smells like charcoal and roasted meat. Its airy white smoke and barely glowing orange embers signal a long since extinguished bonfire that has burned through all of its fuel.
The building with a symbol on it, however, is distinctly different in its inferno. The fire rages inside with a black plume of freshly incinerated items besides the wooden structure catching at its source.
Merah doesn't even slightly stop to look over her shoulder, just keeps moving. As much as she likes to fight, she understands the importance of retreating from time to time, too. And it's been a while since she's been hit like this, so she has absolutely no problem in ducking her head and keeping moving. As she runs, her hand pressed against her side, she keeps her voice low as she can and asks, "Are we heading back the same way we came, or checking out that other path we saw?"
Val keeps backing up, keeping himself and his shield up and between the new threats and his companions, but eager to get out unseen
After being sure that they are out of danger, Ricster says, "We can wait till nightfall, then return there... and hope most of them are asleep."
You all make your way back into the Gatehouse or nearby entrance to it. Your enemies appear fully concerned with other matters.
Val holds position until the rest clear the gatehouse, but waves them on to continue moving back, eager to get clear of the ruins.
With Val's exit, you're all able to successfully leave the Shrine without incident. The town of Conyberry is close to the North, though none amoung you could say what state it's in. Phandalin to the West is possible as well, though it would be another day's walk again at minimum.
What do you do?
Ricster looks up to the sky and sighs. "We need a place to rest, where should it be?"
'Somwhere close would be ideal to at least catch our breath. But not too close to be spotted...'
Val wipes the blood from his blade before sheathing it, wincing a bit in pain as he does. He then looks to his companions to see if they have a destination in mind.
OOC: I say we walk an hour, take a short rest and then push on to Conyberry for the night.
"Yeah, sure. Let's get a little distance, then hide off the path a bit and rest up some. This way!" Without waiting for a response, Merah starts heading up the path to the north. "Don't wanna run into any of those rats we left behind," she calls as an explanation over her shoulder. But maybe the orcs running into those rats wouldn't be too bad, she thinks. There'd be at least a bit of a warning, given the loudness of the rats' shrieking if attacked.
(My deepest apologies for how long the post below took. Its been ready for days I just haven't been able to sit down and type it up proper.)
Fleeing the shrine you hear the echoing wails of a great beast boom across the skies. Perhaps this was the giant, or perhaps the orcs have simply found a way to collaborate in sound. In either case, it betrays the idea that what's behind you will be going anywhere. As you make your way back into the hills, you notice the fog clouds have lifted about the Shrine and you can feel the sense of danger pass...
(The horizontal path is the Triboar Trail. North is Conyberry, South is the Shrine.)
The peace that you entered leaving the shrine continued through the afternoon into the fading light of dusk once more. Just before the tree line, as before, you are all made aware of various scurrying creatures, fruit bushes and birds that inhabit such borderlands.
(2 Hours between Shrine and Conyberry, free to Rp the distance between Shrine, Crossroads, and just before the town. Moves from afternoon to dusk.)
Mechanics:
Short Rest, you may all roll 1 of your hit dice + con
Val takes up a position to cover the party's backtrail, turning over the tactical choices he made that nearly got them all killed....
The booming echoing from behind them is particularly disconcerting. Eventually he speaks up, addressing his comrades 'My apologies friends, if my rash behavior endangered you all. I'm afraid I tend to see all problems as the sort that can best be cut down of bowled over.'
Merah had given a full body flinch at the loud noise earlier, but she's relaxed more and more as the peacefulness has endured. Now she's humming again as they walk, easily pushing the injury and the pain to the back of her mind. Her head perks up as Val speaks, and she gives him a grin. "Nah, don't worry bout it," she says, waving a hand in the air. "Fightin's fun, so I ain't gonna complain. Sides, we made a pretty good team in the end. Killed five orcs, didn't we?"
'We did indeed. Five Orcs judged and found wanting. ' the dragonborn brightens visibly at the memory of striking down and through their foes.
Ricster is still looking over his shoulder from time to time. "It’s fine. But we should be more careful next time. We won’t be this lucky every time."
Walking up to the trees reveals a dedicated pathway to the small town that must have been cleared some time ago. There are weeds and small growths all about it with the stringy bridges of many spiders crossing overhead.
Upon entering the forest, you are all made aware of a faint smell of smoke that grows as you move forward. Less than a half hour later you're all made aware of its source.
At the end of the path is a small village with five buildings. In the dark you can see the building to the East standing alone was aflame. Some kind of symbol on the roof stood like the last sailor on a sinking ship, watching in silent contemplation of its imminent doom. The four buildings nearby seemed unaffected by the blaze. Instead they surrounded a smoldering communal firepit that seemed to have burned out some time ago. The building to the Southwest has a large cart in front of it.
ahhh shit. we're back in it!
Val takes a deep breath, nostrils flaring as he does. 'We may have leapt from the frying pan into the proverbial fire here my friends. Blades and eyes up'. Suiting deeds to action, the dragonborn pulls his sword free from its home, keeping his shield up and eyes scanning for trouble.
Perception 19
Val perception:
The fire burning in the center of the four buildings smells like charcoal and roasted meat. Its airy white smoke and barely glowing orange embers signal a long since extinguished bonfire that has burned through all of its fuel.
The building with a symbol on it, however, is distinctly different in its inferno. The fire rages inside with a black plume of freshly incinerated items besides the wooden structure catching at its source.
The cart is full of rocks of different sorts.
I fear some may be trapped in that building, we should try to free them!
Val looks to his companions, clearly restraining his urge to rush into the rescue.