OOC: quick question, does this mean short rest, because we haven't done anything to need one...

[Might be smart to take a rest just so we can progress ahead in time]

Jaren guided the vessel through the lake and into a river running out of it towards Sandhill. Traveling through the mellow waters you recall tales of your pasts. The sprawling meadows thin as the time passes giving way to marshland. Tall grass blocks the view around the river which branches out into a network of rivers and creeks. Following his route Jaren guides the party closer to the Gorthax. The sun just over the horizon, Tildrash suggests that they rest. —Jaren knows that they are a mile or so away from the Gorthax Settlement and could arrive there in less than a hour— 

((Sorry it’s been a while))

[OK]

Jaren responds to the offer of rest, "I can keep this up for a little longer, the clan is just a mile or so away." 

((you're good, Archsage! there's no rush.))

When Cetar had told his story, Balen mostly just nodded and gave him a sympathetic look when Cetar said that the other dormmates would play pranks on him. 'That's rough, buddy,' he thought. Making friends was hard, at least in his opinion. Though he also thought of himself as a lone wolf type of guy, but he understood the struggle. 'Well at least that explains the badger.' He eyed the furry creature, still unsure what to make of it. By the end of the story, he didn't know what else to say other than. "Curiosity never killed the cat" was what he came up with to say (he never liked the original saying) and gave Cetar a shrug.

As Jaren rowed, Balen just stared out in the sea and occasionally was drawing and taking notes of his newfound companions. To remember who was who was hard to keep track. "I think we should keep going," He responded back to Jaren, "As long as we're nearly there. We should probably sneak in by nightfall." 

[If it’s less than an hour to the hideout we probably don’t have time for a rest and it looks like we’ve done all the roleplay we can for now. If everyone’s happy we could skip ahead in time to arriving at the clan, or we could maybe devise a way to sneak in, though I’m not sure if we’ve got enough intel for that. What do you guys think?]

Quote from Shiverquill >>

[If it’s less than an hour to the hideout we probably don’t have time for a rest and it looks like we’ve done all the roleplay we can for now. If everyone’s happy we could skip ahead in time to arriving at the clan, or we could maybe devise a way to sneak in, though I’m not sure if we’ve got enough intel for that. What do you guys think?]

 ((I'm fine with whatever! maybe we should gather intel?))

Intelligence: Investigation check: 5 + 3

Wisdom: Perception check: 8 + 4

As the group gets closer to the clan, Jaren begins to alow down, rowing more quietly and trying to hide behind reeds and things when possible.

Cetae cautiously peers around the riverbanks and tightens the grip on his quarterstaff as Balen investigates and scans the area. ‘I’d hate for us to be ambushed, so it’s best we stay on high alert. I can use Faerie Fire as we get closer to the clan territory find any bandits.’ He then also outlines an anticlockwise circle with his finger and says ‘O nature spirits, weather report please’, then clicks his fingers to cast Druidcraft and creates a harmless sensory effect that represents what the weather in the area will be like for the next 24 hours (more details in the spell description). ‘Best we’re informed on the circumstances of the environment so we don’t get caught out’

Tildrash stays silent, observing the river for anything discernable nearby.

Investigation roll: 20

Quote from SunDial365 >>

 

Intelligence: Investigation check: 5 + 3

Wisdom: Perception check: 8 + 4

 Looking up over the reeds you can see a trail of smoke billowing up from a source in the Northeast not but 30 or so yards (27m) away.  Looking at this further reveals the smoke to be coming from a large bond fire surrounded by a large caravan of wagons ornamented   with bones and long horns which seem to come from the same kind of beast. 12 Dragonborns patrol the perimeter.

Quote from Shiverquill >>

Cetae cautiously peers around the riverbanks and tightens the grip on his quarterstaff as Balen investigates and scans the area. ‘I’d hate for us to be ambushed, so it’s best we stay on high alert. I can use Faerie Fire as we get closer to the clan territory find any bandits.’ He then also outlines an anticlockwise circle with his finger and says ‘O nature spirits, weather report please’, then clicks his fingers to cast Druidcraft and creates a harmless sensory effect that represents what the weather in the area will be like for the next 24 hours (more details in the spell description). ‘Best we’re informed on the circumstances of the environment so we don’t get caught out’

 The 12 guards are outlined with light as are the wagons and some crates there are lights coming from inside the wagons as well 

the weather will remain clear for the next half hour before becoming overcast with some light rain and fading into a thunderstorm 4 hours after and remaining there for another hour before returning to light rain on and off for the remainder 

Quote from DuskenShogun >>

Tildrash stays silent, observing the river for anything discernable nearby.

Investigation roll: 11

 

 You also notice the smoke but look closer and see bird like creatures circling around it and diving down into it 

Balen was crouching down in shallow water by the reeds when he caught sight of the trail of smoke and the bonfire. "12 Dragonborns on the perimeter," He called back to the group in a hushed whisper, "...Looks like some sort of get-together. A couple of caravans. 30 yards away." He caught sight of Cetar's spell, "... Hmm so its gonna rain, huh." He thinks for a minute about what they are going to do.

"Well if its gonna rain, they're likely going to go back inside their caravans. We could attack them while they're still out, but 12 to 4 hmmm an unlikely scenario. We could also attack in the dark of the thunderstorm. That might work and it'll definitely cover up our tracks. But... if we're going into Gorthax... is it the wisest decision to attack them upfront? I say, steal a caravan in the thunderstorm and hightail it into town? ... I can shapeshift into one of them drivers and y'all can all hide in the back." He stared at Tildrash for a second, "What do you think though?"

Cetar thinks a while whilst he analyses the circumstances. 'Tildrash, you're a dragonborn, do you think you'd be able to pass for one of them? Perhaps you and Balen in disguise could distract the guards for long enough for me and Jaren to investigate the site and maybe even steal a few things, even a wagon. I can cast Animal Friendship on any pack beasts they might have,' His eyes wander to the bird creatures circling the fire, 'and we can avoid an upfront conflict that way. Then we just have to pray that we take enough supplies and caravans that the thunderstorm takes them out.'

[Does anyone have any other ideas on how to raid the camp? Since the camp is 95 feet away if I get within 30 feets range I can use Druidcraft to lure the dragonborn guards away from camp, or at least some of them, and then we can implement some of the other ideas we've got. If nobody has any further points, Cetar will probably get out of the boat and stealthily wade through the reeds towards the camp to get a closer look/get within range for spells, unless anyone actively objects]

Jaren speaks up, “You see that large wagon over there,” he says, pointing at the largest wagon, “That’s the supply wagon, they keep most of their supplies there.” He points at another wagon, “That wagon is the leader’s, he’s the one I fought, he almost killed me easily. There’s around 34 Dragonborn here. The twelve guards have a specific patrol pattern, easy enough to get past once you know it. I’ll help you get in, then I’ll cause a distraction to help you get out. Any questions?” It’s clear he’s used to taking control and leading people in combat.

Cetar nods and answers 'Yes sir!' confidently. He then throws a handful of radishes into his satchel to keep Zumu happy and begins to prepare for action. 

"Yikes," Balen commented when Jaren mentioned how he almost got killed. But at that thought, the more eager he was for a fight. Though, the thought of actually fighting 34 Dragonborns seemed insane. His fingers danced around his dagger as he listened silently for the extra information.

The changeling wasn't used to be told what to do and the feeling that he was about to made his eyebrows furrow. 'Any questions?' and Cetar's enthusiasm made him wonder for a minute. He tapped his dagger on his chin in thought, then sighed. "Okay, sounds like a plan." He studied one of the Dragonsborns patrolling the parameter and shifted into one of them whilst still crouching in the reeds. "I don't have any of their armor though, so that might get us caught, but I think I can stealth it enough. I think we should raid their supply wagon first."

"And you've got that magicky-water thing, right?" He pointed over at Cetar, "You can do a distraction. Make 'em think it's uh gonna rain or something soon. Or maybe put out their bonfire. That'll get them something to do. I wonder what they're using it for anyways..." Balen took a quick peek above the reeds again. 

He winked at Jaren and motioned his head over at the camp, "Do what you gotta do."