"Sallah does any of us have the message cantrip, just in case?"

Gehir nods. "OK, two groups it is we move as fast and safe as we can."  He nods back at you all scholars, "Since you all volunteered to take point again today why don't the five of you set out now while we get camp cleaned up. Don't get too far ahead and if things get weird or strange come find us. There is truly no telling what we will encounter in these woods."

He then turns to Lu and Thornton, "I do appreciate the help you have given us so far. When you get back to the Keep find Matreous and let him know what happened. He gives them a bag of what sounds like gold, "Payment for partial services render. Perhaps Thornton can use it to start a new life." With that the two pack their supplies and head back west. 

The rest of you prepare in similarly and then leave camp heading east into the forest. It is still early in the morning and you are optimistic you can make good time.

Since you all are heading out as the point group and exploring the forest today you may each decide how you would explore the forest. 

Mechanics for this little nature walk. You each get a morning and an afternoon "action" meaning you can pick a skill/ability and use it however you like. Be as creative as you'd like what you learn and how your forest exploration unfolds will depend on the combination of skills and actions you take. 

Everyone can go ahead and post their morning "action" and then will move on to the afternoon action as the outcome of the morning might affect your second turn. 

Quote from Stormbringer4729 >>

"Sallah does any of us have the message cantrip, just in case?"

(Looking over the character sheets on the campaign page, looks like Agar does.)
Sallah: "I do not have the Message cantrip. But I do have Mending, if that is needed."

For the nature walk, Sallah has proficiency in Survival (+3).
This will be used to make it easier for the party to defend against any threats: find paths with level ground and firm footing, keeping track of wind direction so animals can't smell the scent of the party, and so forth.

The other thing will be to assist someone else in climbing trees to get a better vantage point.
His other artificer infusion was to animate a Rope of Climbing. Whoever in the party can climb well and has good eyesight can borrow the use of the rope to check the surroundings from a high tree branch. (This might be done every hour or so, depending on how thick the vegetation is.)

Jonathan shrugs "Well lets get to this. I guess" He looks to the new member of the party (Marlee) wondering what she has to offer. "Are you going to accompany us?"

Depending on how often the advance party will be dropping back to touch base with the main caravan, Calwin suggests making a series of marks on Gehir's wagon that he can easily see, that can be caused to vanish should the advance party encounter trouble. He can keep it active for an hour at a time. He suggests the following, but is open to suggestions.

Sword: Advance party has been attacked
Horizontal Tree: Trail's blocked, hold position
Running Horse: Make haste

If all three vanish within a few seconds of each other, then the hour is past and there won't be the symbols until Calwin drops back to refresh them.

"It would be the least I could do, as repayment for your assistance." Marlee replies. "I have some divine magic, mostly supportive spells, which should be of some use."

Jonathan smiles "So you're the support type. I think we'll work well together."

he looks around ready to go "Who's leading?"

(Agar does not have Message or any other cantrip. Nope, not a single spell at all. He's just a regular sword and board fighter. Yessir.)

"Guess I'll take point then." Agar answered Jonathan's question. "Let's go." He readied his sword and shield, then headed out.

Gehir looks at Calwin with a smile and is clearly impressed, "Most resourceful! Yes, I think this is a good system and we will keep an eye on your markings. Perhaps someone can maRK the trial you blaze for so we can follow you progress safely." (Calwin may have inspiration for coming up with a good and creative use of skills and time!)

You take a few moments to gather your things Lu heads off with Thornton and you all turn your backs starting in the opposite direction. It doesn't take long to reach the forest line. You see the bloody remnants of the previous days battle. Blood stains the green grass as flies and maggots feast on stray meat. Pushing past stench you enter the forest, the summer heat quickly dissipates as your embraced by the cool, damp and dark forest. 

You follow the path scouting the forest and take up your roles eager to unravel the mysteries of the forest. It is quiet outside of the normal sounds of birds and small critters. The path is a worn game trial and so it is quickly overrun with low vegetation. You now find yourself in unmolested nature.

Based on your posts please make the following rolls to see what misadventures await you!

1. Agar is running point -- make a perception roll if you'd like to use the Rope of climbing every hour or to get a better view you may roll with advantage. Since you are using the rope no need for a strength/dex check to climb the tree
2. Calwin -- Rely messages back via prestidigitation. You may also choose another task and make the appropriate roll if you'd like. 
3. Sallah -- Covering their tracks, making sure they are not followed. Make your survival roll
4. Jonathan -- Not sure. Feel free to describe what you would do during the walk and make whatever roll you think is appropriate
5. Marlee -- - Not sure. Feel free to describe what you would do during the walk and make whatever roll you think is appropriate

Marlee follows along with the group, occasionally patting someone on the shoulder, giving a few words of encouragement and Guidance to those that want it. Being a new comer, she tries to be as polite and respectful as possible.

Jonathan is behind Marlee keeping an eye on how far away they are from the wagon sword drawn.

Quote from Nahbois >>

Marlee follows along with the group, occasionally patting someone on the shoulder, giving a few words of encouragement and Guidance to those that want it. Being a new comer, she tries to be as polite and respectful as possible.

Everyone may add the d4 to whatever they decide to roll

Sallah hands over the Rope of Climbing to Agar, with the password, for use during the trip.

Survival check: 18 with an additional d4 of 2

Jonathan: Perception 24

Agar Perception with advantage and guidance: 18 + 4

Throughout the morning you slowly pick your way through the forest. You make steady progress with Agar looking for danger and Jonathan guarding the back. Thankfully, you do not come across anything dangerous but Sallah starts to make note of strange tracks through the bush. Large creatures with claws with what you saw yesterday in battle. These tracks are similar to the ones those creatures might produce. It would be impossible to tell if they are from the same creature. Jonathan you keep a keen eye on the rear as Sallah is examining the larger tracks you make note of a series of smaller very subtle tracks through the bush. It's hard to say but these could be humanoid.

The large tracks and the smaller one seem to diverge from this location. You could follow either set since you were able to identify them or you could continue heading in deeper along the current game trail you are following. None of the trails head back the way you came.

Sallah: "I suppose we could follow the large tracks, the small tracks, and the game trail at the same time, but I suspect that splitting our small group might be unwise.

"Probably we should focus on the path that our supply wagons will take, and continue scouting the trail. What do the rest of you think?"

Jonathan "Maybe we should ask the wagon master? How fresh are these tracks? Someone maybe in danger."

"We at least should let them know, I didn't set up a signal for 'we're thinking of splitting up and looking at things'.", Cal remarks.

Quote from Stormbringer4729 >>

Jonathan "Maybe we should ask the wagon master? How fresh are these tracks? Someone maybe in danger."

You can roll survival if you'd like to try to learn anymore about the tracks.

It might be a few hours before the wagon catches up. You can certainly wait for them if you'd like it will eat a bit into your day. 

Quote from Quasimodal >>

Sallah: "I suppose we could follow the large tracks, the small tracks, and the game trail at the same time, but I suspect that splitting our small group might be unwise.

"Probably we should focus on the path that our supply wagons will take, and continue scouting the trail. What do the rest of you think?"

 The game trail does get significantly more narrow and would probably be hard for the wagon to the follow. The other two trails you are fairly certain the wagon can follow.