Considering that our contract is to ensure we safely see these goods delivered to Mirabar. I recommend we enjoy the night air and camp outside of the town, around the wagon.
You are able to find an open area to make camp for the night. A local points you to a wood cutter and firewood is obtained for a fire for the night. The wagon is mostly loaded up with the tarp flat over the goods underneath. Your tents and food items are loaded in the rear for easy access. You are not alone in your actions as you see several camp sites along this side of the river and a few on the other side.
(( Need details about camp set up, watches, etc. If you would like to make this given plan an assumption for camping in the future that is good with me. ))
I propose that humans take first and last watch. Those with dark vision take the watches in between. Take watches in alphabetical order for lack of a better idea.
Chadwick takes the first watch and then wakes Erbert to follow him. Gneuman, Hoid and Kragen all take uneventful watches as well. Trolkarl has the early morning watch. He stokes up the fire in the morning to boil the gathered water from last night. Griddle cakes and sizzling bacon greet your noses as the sun starts to brighten the sky. You were able to get some hay from the stable last night as well. The oxen ate and bedded down early. Other camps are stirring as well and another day along the trade road begins.
You resume your journey heading east out of town. At midday you find the fork in the road for the High Road that you are taking to Shalecliff. This road climbs gently along the foothills and the oxen slow their pace a bit. They seem to be doing okay pulling the wagon with Erbert and Trolkarl on board as well. You stop for a quick lunch and water the oxen at the river before proceeding up the High Road.
After an afternoon climbing on the High Road you have seen only two other groups of travelers coming from the east. None are moving east behind you. Both groups tell that they have had no troubles ahead. But, they have heard warnings about the Red Cloak Bandits who have been known to attack travelers on this road.
As the day becomes late afternoon you find a level piece of ground with a nearby stream. It looks like a good place to camp. Others have thought so as well as you see a ring of stones set up for a fire pit. The ash is cold here, no recent fire.
“Good place to stop, let’s setup camp, get the oxen fed, watered and squared for the night.” “Suggest same watch pattern as last night.” Kragen begins to remove the yoke and bridles from the oxen, provides them hay/oats to eat and draws them water. Hoping the rest of the crew takes part in preparations for the night.
This night is quieter than the last. You are able to find wood for the fire and cook some beans with the salt port and make a coarse bread to go with it. The oxen gladly drink from the stream and graze on the tall grass nearby. Your watches are set as they were last night. The air is clear and the sky above shines bright with stars. Selûne rose and shone brightly in the sky trailed by the Tears of Selûne sparkling in her wake. An owl is heard in the distance early in the night. Nothing much happens. It is a quiet night.
The new day breaks as the sun climbs into view from the horizon. You have half the journey behind you. Just two days of travel to go. You break camp and the oxen pull the wagon. The road remains empty. There are no other travelers seen today. You stop for lunch by another stream for the oxen to drink. You find that Dalkkar put a small pouch of dried fruits in the bags of supplies. That is a welcome treat.
The day progresses and just a short time after your break you see what appears to be two horses lying in the road ahead. They appear to be dead.
Let’s stop the wagon and investigate the trees immediately to the left and right. I propose those with range stay at the wagon and provide cover for 1-2 people to investigate.
"That sounds like a solid plan, Hoid" "I am skilled with the light crossbow and can remain with the wagon and our Arcane folk" "You take Chadwick and start on the left of the road, then work your way to the right group of trees?"
Kragen shoulders his warhammer and prepares and loads a bolt into his crossbow.
Erbert and Trolkarl dismount the wagon and are steadying the oxen. Both are standing there, placid. Kragen takes a forward position and is crossbow armed. Gneuman takes a forward position as well. Chadwick and Hoid both advance on the trees to the left. Neither is able to see anything of concern in the trees.
After we finish scouting both sides of the road we should see about dragging the horses off the road since it could attract beasties. Might have to use the oxen to do it.
Do we stay here or press on? Vote!
I recommend we setup here and camp for the evening.
Two votes for staying here, everyone else has abstained.
Making camp outside of town? Or, staying at the roadhouse and leaving oxen and wagon at the stables?
Considering that our contract is to ensure we safely see these goods delivered to Mirabar. I recommend we enjoy the night air and camp outside of the town, around the wagon.
Agree that we should make camp and keep watch over the cargo.
So shall it be!
You are able to find an open area to make camp for the night. A local points you to a wood cutter and firewood is obtained for a fire for the night. The wagon is mostly loaded up with the tarp flat over the goods underneath. Your tents and food items are loaded in the rear for easy access. You are not alone in your actions as you see several camp sites along this side of the river and a few on the other side.
(( Need details about camp set up, watches, etc. If you would like to make this given plan an assumption for camping in the future that is good with me. ))
I propose that humans take first and last watch. Those with dark vision take the watches in between. Take watches in alphabetical order for lack of a better idea.
Chadwick takes the first watch and then wakes Erbert to follow him. Gneuman, Hoid and Kragen all take uneventful watches as well. Trolkarl has the early morning watch. He stokes up the fire in the morning to boil the gathered water from last night. Griddle cakes and sizzling bacon greet your noses as the sun starts to brighten the sky. You were able to get some hay from the stable last night as well. The oxen ate and bedded down early. Other camps are stirring as well and another day along the trade road begins.
You resume your journey heading east out of town. At midday you find the fork in the road for the High Road that you are taking to Shalecliff. This road climbs gently along the foothills and the oxen slow their pace a bit. They seem to be doing okay pulling the wagon with Erbert and Trolkarl on board as well. You stop for a quick lunch and water the oxen at the river before proceeding up the High Road.
After an afternoon climbing on the High Road you have seen only two other groups of travelers coming from the east. None are moving east behind you. Both groups tell that they have had no troubles ahead. But, they have heard warnings about the Red Cloak Bandits who have been known to attack travelers on this road.
As the day becomes late afternoon you find a level piece of ground with a nearby stream. It looks like a good place to camp. Others have thought so as well as you see a ring of stones set up for a fire pit. The ash is cold here, no recent fire.
“Good place to stop, let’s setup camp, get the oxen fed, watered and squared for the night.” “Suggest same watch pattern as last night.” Kragen begins to remove the yoke and bridles from the oxen, provides them hay/oats to eat and draws them water. Hoping the rest of the crew takes part in preparations for the night.
I agree. Let’s have the same routine all evenings unless we decide otherwise.
This night is quieter than the last. You are able to find wood for the fire and cook some beans with the salt port and make a coarse bread to go with it. The oxen gladly drink from the stream and graze on the tall grass nearby. Your watches are set as they were last night. The air is clear and the sky above shines bright with stars. Selûne rose and shone brightly in the sky trailed by the Tears of Selûne sparkling in her wake. An owl is heard in the distance early in the night. Nothing much happens. It is a quiet night.
The new day breaks as the sun climbs into view from the horizon. You have half the journey behind you. Just two days of travel to go. You break camp and the oxen pull the wagon. The road remains empty. There are no other travelers seen today. You stop for lunch by another stream for the oxen to drink. You find that Dalkkar put a small pouch of dried fruits in the bags of supplies. That is a welcome treat.
The day progresses and just a short time after your break you see what appears to be two horses lying in the road ahead. They appear to be dead.
Map invite: https://www.owlbear.rodeo/room/6L85C-a81Ws-/TheMadTrack
Let’s stop the wagon and investigate the trees immediately to the left and right. I propose those with range stay at the wagon and provide cover for 1-2 people to investigate.
"That sounds like a solid plan, Hoid" "I am skilled with the light crossbow and can remain with the wagon and our Arcane folk" "You take Chadwick and start on the left of the road, then work your way to the right group of trees?"
Kragen shoulders his warhammer and prepares and loads a bolt into his crossbow.
Erbert and Trolkarl dismount the wagon and are steadying the oxen. Both are standing there, placid. Kragen takes a forward position and is crossbow armed. Gneuman takes a forward position as well. Chadwick and Hoid both advance on the trees to the left. Neither is able to see anything of concern in the trees.
Hoid (and hopefully Chadwick) will check the trees on the right. Assuming nothing is there, Hoid will return to the wagon to discuss plans.
Do we continue to investigate the tree line(s) or proceed down the road?
Chadwick and Hoid move to the right side of the road and examine the trees/bushes on that side. They see nothing amiss there.
Chadwick
After we finish scouting both sides of the road we should see about dragging the horses off the road since it could attract beasties. Might have to use the oxen to do it.
Can we tell what killed the horses?
From this distance it is hard to say what killed the horses.