Latimer smiles as he ponders the question.  "Ah, the sea. Perhaps my one true love, for the sea, and the storms that can only be found at sea, truly embody my dearest Akadi.  Do you know of her,?  Akadi is both the whispering wind and the turbulent tempest, sweet and warm at times while bitter and cold at others, her form changing with the seasons - as does the sea! But I wax on poetically... "

"Yes, my friend, I have worked on a merchant ship or two up and down the Sword Coast.  To date, my travels have not been far and wide, but I hope to change that in my coming years.  If we watch each others' backs, we should both get a chance to do just that!"

As Master Droon comes by, Latimer thanks him.  "The meal and ambiance were both grand, sir.  It is much appreciated." Then again to Cressel, "But alas, it is late, and we should take our rest to be ready for what tomorrow brings... it comes soon enough."

Caledon gets up from the feather bed his head swirling with hazy lingering dream images, sees the open bottle near his bed takes the last drop.  “Well I best find me a private chamber pot quick, haven’t eaten an slept like that in quite some time.”  He heads downstairs inquiring about a privy.

EDIT: [OOC: I jumped the gun a little bit. Should have waited for Cressel to respond to Latimer first. Feel free to reply to them and then address this post.]

The morning comes. 

The water-clocks of Neverwinter toll out the hour and you all hear gentle knocks on your doors. You hear Master Droon call from the other side:

"Morning all! Breakfast awaits thee downstairs."

You rouse yourselves, conduct whatever morning rituals you have [does your character have a morning ritual?], and don your gear for the day's work. 

Downstairs, a table has been laid with pancakes, sausages, bacon, eggs, oatmeal with cream, a vegetable medley, and - would you believe it - sweet rolls. 

"Take what you like. When Rockseeker & Co. restores Phandalin, I'll be getting more than enough compensation. When you're ready, I've got the oxen hitched and ready to travel," says Droon. "As for the privy, Master Flowstone, you'll find them just around the corner out by the stables."

Whatever is left of breakfast is wrapped up and tucked in your packs to enjoy on the road. [Everyone receives (1) ration].

His excitement grows as he listens to Latimer describe his love for the sea, he nods enthusiastically at the mention of Akadi. "Yes, yes, I've read numerous books on the deities, Akadi embraced moving from place to place as freely as the wind, if I remember correctly. I am quite excited to see the world as well, I look forward to our journey!"

As Master Droon says good night, he will climb down from his chair and thank him for his hospitality. He then follows Latimer up the stairs trying to be as quiet as possible when entering the room he's sharing with Nephira.

He was awake before the sun rose, all of the excitement of the coming adventure had him tossing and turning most of the night. He spent the time before Master Droon knocked writing down a summary of the previous day, and reviewing his spell book for any possible changes that may aid him and his new companions on the coming journey.

As gentle as the knock was, it still made him jump and squeak, causing him to fall loudly out of the comfortable bed in a heap of fur. He dressed quickly and bolted out of the room with his belongings, quite embarrassed by his clumsiness. After his breakfast of vegetables, he'll gather his belongings, thank Master Droon again for the wonderful food and the ration, then wait (bouncing on his feet and pacing) by the door for everyone else to be ready.

Latimer awakes with the dawn, and washes his face and prepares for the day.  As is his usual routing, he spends some time in prayer and ritual preparation of spells for the day, and then gets dressed, donning his armor last.  It is uncomfortably heavy, but precautions seem necessary for this particular venture.

Arriving downstairs, ready to go, he is surprised by yet another feast before him.  Growing up in poverty, and more recently working as ship labor, he has never had access to such largess!  "Master Droon, you are a gift from the heavens!  Bless you and your family, for you have made this poor servant quite happy today!"  He digs in and eats what he can, but tries not to over-do it.  

"Good morning, my new friends.  Shall we get to it?"

(OOC: Latimer is ready to go.  Spells prepared on character sheet.)

Nephira, sleeping on the ground where she is most comfortable, opens only one eye as Cressel lands on the floor beside her in a heap of fur, waking her from her slumber.

She waits for the harengon to leave the room before she sits up and goes through her morning exercises, files down her horns, takes some time to open the window and smell the morning air to get a sense of what kind of traveling conditions they might be facing. Once that's done, she gathers her belongings and heads downstairs. When she arrives at the breakfast table, she looks appraisingly at the spread and gruffs, "No more potatoes? Blast." Instead, she settles for wolfing down some sausages and veggies without complaint as she double-checks the stringing on her longbow and sharpens her blades.

By the time Latimer arrives, she's ready to go.

Caledon finishes his business then dons his armor hefts his Maul-‘Ol’ Ball 'n Chain’.  He heads back in to see the breakfast and nearly swoons, “This is the life!” he rolls up several sausages in pancakes and eats his fill. “Master Droon please tell me you’ve got some liquor for the road, I promise to overpay.”  Caledon looks around seeing his companions in various states of readiness, happily accepts the ration.  After settling on a nice flask of ?blackberry brandy? Caledon true to his word brings out a gold piece and hands it to Droon with a handshake.

”I’ll tell everyone the Fiddlecats the pub for the best room and board, truly wonderful.”

Master Droon supplies you all with the leftovers and flasks of fine drinks for the road. "It's a thirsty business, being about business. There's lots needs doing. Best of luck to ye!" With a wave, Master Droon bids you farewell. 

It is a bright morning (praise the sun!) and the folk of Neverwinter are busy coming and going. You find the ox-drawn-wagon all hitched and ready to ride. The wagon is covered tightly by a waterproof canvas, but you can see the shape of crates and barrels beneath. There is enough room for you all to ride relatively comfortably until you decide to travel more cautiously. 

You prepare to depart.

Cressel - The driver's seat is nothing special, but you find a switch for driving the oxen and a weathered leather binder waiting for you there. Upon inspection, it appears to be a manifest of the cargo and includes several notes from the minister of commerce that bear official looking seals. You would understand this to be something shown to the guards at the city gate. [Roll a Perception Check]

Nephira - [Roll a Nature or Survival Check, then a Stealth AND Perception Check]

Caledon - [Roll a Perception Check]

Latimer - [Roll a Perception Check]

Noticing the manifest and the notes, he'll take a closer look (Perception: 14). "Hmmm... what is this?"

Caledon strides happily along feeling the bliss of a nice day, a full belly, and a good job.

Nephira soaks in the feeling of the sun on her skin, the sound of morning birds in the sky... She can feel a certain tension in her shoulders relax as she departs the urban landscape for the open road and the wilderness beyond. She allows herself only a few minutes of indulgence while the party is still with safe distance of the city walls.

As the sounds of the city recede, she slips into scouting mode... a physical and sensory state so familiar to her as to be second-nature. Scouting ahead 60 feet from the wagon, she keeps her eyes and ears attuned to any anomalies, her dominant hand always at the ready by her short sword.

Latimer tries to keep alert, even this early in the trip. You never know where danger lurks.

24

And so the party sets forth! 

You pass a wandering minstrel leaving Neverwinter who plucks the opening notes of a much beloved rambling ballad.

Cue montage!

DAY 1: The Sea of Swords glitters beyond the low hills to your right. As you camp the first night, Latimer, your evening prayers to Akadi prove hopeful. You feel a sudden sea breeze pass through your camp. It flares the fire, kicking up sparks and the ashes of your incense, and carries them down the High Road in the direction of Phandalin. It draws your gaze to a single storm cloud towering over Neverwinter Wood. It is a good sign, you think. The Lady of Winds is with you.

-1 RATION

DAY 2: The day is damp. A light rain softens the earth and limits visibility, but you continue to make good time. On your left lies the ancient, definitely enchanted stretch of the Neverwinter Wood that is known as 'The Watcher's Forest', full of wild magics and old bedtime stories. Caledon, as a devotee of Helm and a paladin of the Watchers, you are very familiar with this stretch of your journey, whether by experience or story. You can see Helm's Hold - the city and cathedral dedicated to your god - in the far distance, but due to the rain it remains but a shadowy impression against the veiled countryside. 

-1 RATION

DAY 3: The rain has stopped, but the sky remains overcast. You travel a little slower today due to muddy roads that must have seen more rain than you did. Cressel, your spirits are as high as ever. As you drive the oxen steadily along, a small red bird settles on the seat beside you. You look at it. It looks at you. It has strange patterns on its head as if someone has dyed the feathers there intentionally. It does not sing or blink or twitch in fear.

And as suddenly as it appeared, the small red bird darts away in a straight line over the Neverwinter Woods before any real discoveries can be made. Bother. 

-1 RATION

Day 4: It's early when you come to the crossroad. The signpost is old and leans a little, but sure enough you can read "Triboar Trail" and "Phandalin, 15mi." and "Conyberry, 45mi." on an eastward pointing sign. 

Nephira, you range ahead, silent and searching. The cool breeze from the sea fades and gives way to a humid stillness. You weave your way through tall grasses and dense understory, following the narrow trails left by wild game. Then you smell it: fresh blood nearby. You gingerly follow the scent. You can hear the flies now. They are coming from…

You spot the two dead horses sprawled about fifty feet ahead of you, blocking the path. Each has several black-feathered arrows sticking out of it. The woods press close to the trail here, with a steep embankment and dense thickets on either side.

[What would you all like to do?]

Can she tell how fresh the kill is? 

Regardless of the answer...

Nephira steps back a bit, making sure she's in view of the wagon. She then signals for the wagon to stop and draws her longbow, scanning the woods to see if any of the assailants are still around... Balancing herself on the balls of her feet, preparing herself to dodge if something in there looses an arrow in her direction.

As she scans the woods, she signals to the wagon, gesturing toward the dead horses and drawing her finger across her throat to indicate danger.... She slowwwwwly motions for them to come to assist.

Seeing Nephira motioning towards something in the road, Cressel will have the oxen stop. As he sees the hand motion across the throat, he squeaks then covers his mouth with his paws. He climbs off the wagon as carefully as possible, patting the oxen gently as he passes by, and moves towards Nephira to find out what is going on.

Caledon sees Cressel head towards Nephira his heart races a bit with uncertainty, he is by far a terrible sneak.  He opts to stand quiet vigil until Nephira gives an all clear or something rushes out of hiding.

He grips his maul and watches the side of the road ahead.

(OOC: Again, thanks for the help HunterOrien! Don't forget to add your point of inspiration to your sheet!)

Nephira - You can tell the horses have been dead at least half a day, but not much longer than that. The scent would have carried farther and the creatures of the wood would have revelled in the free meal. Unless... whatever killed them was still in the area. You won't be able to learn anything more from this distance. But you don't trust this quiet...

All - The ranger isn't the only one to recognize the eery quiet here. Dead horses, dead silence, narrowed path... you are all dead certain this is an ambush.

And so it is no surprise when a black-feathered arrow hisses from the woodline and buries itself quivering next to Cressel. A shrieking warcry goes up as four goblins emerge to assail your party. 

ROLL FOR INITIATIVE! 

His nose twitches as he smells the blood, and something else as well, something earthy, almost rotten. His ears swivel towards the sound of the whistling arrow, then flatten as it sinks into the ground next to him. Jumping in surprise, he let's out a squeak, then gathers himself.

Reaching into his sleeve, he pulls out his orb, while his eyes search the treeline for the source of the arrow. They rest on a creature he's only read about in books. His heart begins to beat faster, knowing that where there is one Goblin, there are many more. He spots the other three, and makes a mental note to catalog their attire, body language, and features later. The books weren't very descriptive and it is always best to have the most up to date information.