Stormraider Keep (A M.E.T.A.L. Campaign)

(8, 6, 14)

The group continues traveling for the remainder of the day.  Early on you cross what you estimate to have been the path the elves had taken.  There has been on further signs of the group; Aelric has certainly not been able to spot them from the air.  You spotted some game as you travel and many birds, but nothing of particular note. Over the past hour the trees have thinned and you are now in open, rolling hills. You still have not caught any glimpse of plains to the south as Olcelle had described.  

It is nearly the end of the day - though of course the twilight still continues. You soon will need to pause for rest or risk Exhaustion.  You could easily camp in the open. Or try to find a small copse of trees, as you have seen some here and there. 

(Let me know how you would want to organize watches - if any - or if there is anything else you wish to accomplish.  Note that I presume Aelric has been scouting for good amounts of time while traveling.  He will need rest so really could not be relied upon to provide more than a brief watch. The Blink Dogs have traveled much as you have, so could be asked to watch for shifts.) 

Elyria survival to find a good resting spot: 27 assuming help from someone with this.

"We should rest now. Eat and rest, I will take first watch." Elyria says plainly and finds herself a good spot to discreetly watch for approaching threats. She then takes out some rations to eat before going into vigilance as Aurelius and Flynt rests. After about six hours of vigilance she will wake up Aurelius for a two hour watch telling him she would need about four hours of meditation before proceeding.

Stealth: 28 Perception: 17

Aurelius agrees, and takes his assigned watch, waking his blink dog to keep him company.

Perception 6

(LOL, I hope the dog does better)

If the watch is uneventful, he will wake Flynt after 2 hours.

Flynt helps Elyria find a copse of trees with a small depression in the center.

"Watches for anything other than to keep the fire lit are unnecessary as long as I have Betsy by my side and I don't think it's wise to lite one. But should it make you feel better set watches as you like.", says Flynt in another attempt to remind them that they will not be surprised by any attackers because of his crossbows magical nature. Seeing their insistence he gives in and agrees on the last watch. He proceeds to snuggle down into his bed roll until Aurelius wakes him. "Hmm, uh, yeah uh..I'm up *sniff* *cough* aheeemmm. " he says as he rubs the sleep from his eyes and clears his throat. Soon Aurelius' soft snores are matched by Flynts own as the lawman drifts in and out of slumber confident that the group is covered.

(10,  16, 15)

The 'night' passes without incident.  (Long rest, though I'm not sure that matters for any of you.)  You pack up and continue on your way.  You continue through the hilly landscape for a couple hours. 

(Elyria roll Survival - with Advatage if Aelric scouts ahead.  Others - including Aelric - may roll Perception if they want to keep alert for dangers. I will track Blink Dogs.)

Elyria moves swiftly, her mind firmly set on reaching Gwyllinwald as quick as possible.

Elyria Survival with help from Aelric: 19
Stealth: 13
Perception: 12
Aelric perception: 21

(Oh yes, Stealth.  If you want to try to keep hidden everyone roll, however that slows you down.)

(OOC: No sorry forget about stealth, we're in a hurry now.)

(the 'holy landscape'?)

Aurelius will keep alert for danger, and try to keep relatively quiet.

Perception: 4

Stealth (are you still running pass without trace?)

(Aurelius - 'holy' should have been 'hilly')

(Pass without trace is only 1 hour so we'll use it to lose pursuers if we get any :-)

"So Elyria, what are we looking for in this forest?  Or maybe you shouldn't tell me so you can have plausible deniability when you return to Sylmare?  If I don't know what we're looking for, then I'm not really 'helping', right?"

"Flynt, tell me about yourself.  I believe I heard you refer to yourself as a 'lawman'.  What does that mean?  Are you a part of the city guard, or a county shiriff?"

"I was sent to Gwyllinwald to find and bring back some mushrooms that I'm sure I can take care of myself, but also an amulet which could prove a bit trickier to find. I have an incantation to help me with finding it though. I admit that's not much to go on but I have a general idea where to find these things. I expect there will be dangers on my way though and it's mainly there that you come in guys." Elyiria says with a quick smile, looking at Aurelius and Flynt as they take a quick breather before continuing.

Perception: 20

As the trio travels along Flynt explains how he became sheriff of Altus. He tells them of the curse of Altus and how a scribe mage by the name of Emporious Palantine discovered the way to lift it at a library know as Candlekeep. He regaled them of tales of times before and after the curse was lifted. He is able to tell them everything except for the day he was sworn in. Every time he tries to recall the events of the day they disappear into a foggy haze inside his mind. While he talks he makes sure to watch for any indications that others have passed this way. Though the distraction of trying to remember certain details keeps him from being able to notice anything at all.

Several hours into the day, you finally spot the vast grassy plains to the south of you.  You should be safely beyond Sylmare's lands now and can adjust your course to take you farther south.  In about two more hours you have moved out of the hills and are starting to trek across the nearly flat plains.  So far you have seen little beyond small wildlife that rapidly scurry out of your path before you even come anywhere near.  

Continuing on until what should be late afternoon, suddenly Sozi suddenly perks up, running off into the grass barking.  She goes just a short ways then circles back to group, still barking, and running along the same direction again.  The other two blink dogs follow her, also suddenly agitated by their friend's concern.  

As Flynt tells his tale Elyria tries to politely listen, but when she isn't occupied with finding the best path for them her mind inevitably drifts away to Rahkeshi.

"Rahkeshi?" Elyria says to herself as she sees Sozi run off, and the she runs after the blink dogs, eager to see what Sozi have found.
Perception: 16 Aelric perception from above: 16

Aurelius will follow the others with drawn sword, alert for danger.

Flynt likewise goes to investigate.

As you follow the Sozi and the other blink dogs, you are led to a spot perhaps 150 ft. from where you were at. You can see the grasses have been tramped down a bit here.  Clearly something was here, though there are no immediate indications of anything heading to or from the spot. The blink dogs seem to circle the spot, smelling and searching about as though trying to find a trail. 

The place otherwise seems quiet.  Just the occasional gentle murmurs of a light wind blowing through the tall grasses. 

A bit wary of an ambush as she gets closer Elyria investigates the indicated area while talking to Sozi and the other blinkies.
"Do you smell Rahkeshi, is that it?" She asks in Sylvan, hoping for some kind of response.
Perception: 13 Aelric perception:13
Survival with help from Sozi/Aelric: 23
Investigation with help from Sozi/Aelric: 21