Markas (once again) agrees with Amar and would prefer to stay in the middle or towards the back, he can scout terrain and signs of the ambush from that position, but mostly he prefers his bow to his swords and needs space in case of an attack. Once we enter the forest his tracking skills will increase as that's where he feels most at home. At that point he may entertain leading.
My impression is that "perception" will increase the likelihood of detecting a trail while "tracking" will help keep us on it.
Assuming that's correct I'd keep Zerys out front, with Pagan closing the group. With Brumdal, Markus and Amar rounding out the middle. If we find something then we'll reorganize.
The party makes good time and it is still not yet even mid morning when you reach the point in the road where the forest and river are closest. Both the Whispering Woods and the Goblinwater are less than 100 yards away on opposite sides of the road: the forest to the north, the river to the south. You can hear the subtle wind through the trees nearby and you can hear also the rushing water of the river. It occurs naturally to Markus and Zerys--being ranger and druid (classes that have to do with the natural world)--the noise could mask the sounds made by an approaching threat. At that thought you are slightly more alert. Whether you vocalize your thoughts or not, the others in the party gradually notice the change in your demeanor.
Less than a mile ahead you can see a small, grassy hill guarding the south side of the road. The river appears to bend southeast around the hill away from the road. The road starts to bend slightly northeast, and will pass within 100 yards.
Does anyone have anything they would like to do at this point?
My impression is that "perception" will increase the likelihood of detecting a trail while "tracking" will help keep us on it.
Generally that is correct. Perception and Survival would be the two skills in play here. Perception is more about leveraging your physical senses (sight, sound, smell, hearing, taste, etc.). Survival is used broadly for navigating, tracking, foraging, etc.
It's not cut and dry about which skill is used for what, so if you find you want to use an alternative skill, you can make a case for that. For example, I would say Markus could use his Survival or Perception skill (his choice) to detect a trail.
Also there are activities you can declare you are doing while traveling.
Someone should obviously be leading the way and other people following, but the followers could be doing other things aside from watching the road. Some examples would be helping to navigate, drawing a map, track, and forage.
Regarding maps: I'm intending to add maps to the chat, to help you visualize your surroundings. (A picture is worth a 1000 words.) Those maps represent "player knowledge" not "character knowledge." For example, characters would still need to declare they are making a map as they go (but you don't have to actually draw one in real life). Making a map could improve your chances of not getting lost, or could be sold to someone else. Right now, since you're on the road, and you have a ranger (and a druid) you probably don't need to worry about getting lost so much, but it might be good to keep in mind for later.
Also you probably need cartographer's tools (and proficiency with those tools) to make a map worth selling.
(Before we leave Pagan would like to get some booze from Bumbo for the road. A good wineskin of pub ale. Let me know what the charge is.)
He’ll fill up a waterskin for 1 gp.
Did you want a second waterskin for this ale and keep the one you’ve got already for water?
Yes a 2nd waterskin would be beneficial.
2nd waterskin (filled with ale) added to my character sheet. I subtracted 2gp for the skin and ale plus a little extra for my man, Bumbo, for the service (and delicious eggs.)
Pagan is humming a tune softly from the back of the party as we march. (It sounds like the Master Ninja Theme Song.)
Amar attempts to make better note of his surroundings but it's clear to him he's a novice at such things. If he sees something he'll ask the party for their take.
Amar keeps his mace in reach. Spells are nice but so is a quick thump to somethings head.
Skill checks at the point in the road where the forest and river are closest:
Perception checks to just notice something out of the ordinary or threatening:
Amar: 12
Brumdal: 3
Markus: 3
Pagan: 19
Zerys: 19
No one notices anything of import.
Survival checks to specifically look for any kind of tracks or a trail left behind by someone:
Amar: 2
Brumdal: 9
Markus: 6
Pagan: 11
Zerys: 12
The road itself is not well travelled, but you can definitely tell that creatures have crossed onto it from the direction of the forest at this point.
@Markus you believe if you were to enter the forest--which lies less than 100 yards away--you could perhaps use your Natural Explorer feature to get more specific as forests are your favored terrain.
Also, I'm using the term "creatures" loosely. That could mean anything: humans, goblins, trolls, lions, tigers, bears, etc.
Markas announces: "I'm going to step into the forest and see if I can pick up a trail, does anybody care to join me?" He'll start heading in that direction a few yards and turn around. "If I can't find anything we can come back to the road and continue on".
"I think the Elf should join you..." says Pagan looking in the directionof Zerys. "Although in my experience most merchants tend to stay on the road. More chances to sell their goods." He smiles showing his bright pointed teeth.
"We will wait for your return, or for you to call for help."
Markus makes his way to the edge of the forest with Brumdal at his side. The rest of the party begins a short rest on the road, but can easily keep eyes on Markus and Brumdal up to the point where they enter the forest.
Quick note about character knowledge: I will assume that when one character learns something, he/she will share the info with the rest of the party when they are able. So for example, if Markus and Brumdal find something interesting in the forest, they would automatically share the info when they return to the others. The other players should role play appropriately, considering what their characters know and when they know it. So another example, if Markus and Brumdal find themselves in danger, the other characters would need to justify how they know this before rendering aid.
If you do not want your character to relay a certain piece of information, then say so. For example, you might find a giant diamond worth 1000 gold and you could say “I pocket that and don’t tell anyone I have it.” The other players would know that, but they should play their characters as if they don’t.
Markus it is obvious to you that many humanoids use this location as a blind for spying and ambushes. There are tracks all over the place of creatures of mainly small size (e.g. goblin, kobold), but also of medium size (e.g. hobgoblin, orc).
The most recent tracks are one or two days old and were made by nine medium-sized creatures. The tracks indicate that three of the creatures might have been either heavily laden, wounded, or sick. The tracks head east but stay reasonably close to the edge of the forest as if they wanted to stay in contact with the road.
Markas will follow the tracks that parallel the road and tell Brumdal what I've discovered (also Zerys , but I'm not sure if she joined us?). If he can get anyone's attention on the road he's going to motion that he's going to head East but stay at the edge of the woods. He'll continue to check for signs of activity and anything that may indicate a struggle or someone being dragged off into the woods.
I assume in the woods are Markus and Brumdal, and on the road is Zerys, Amar, and Pagan. If anyone wants to revise their location that’s fine.
The party can easily travel in parallel: one group in the woods and one group on the road. The people in the woods can easily make visual contact with people from the road so long as they step out of the trees every once in a while.
Amar does his damndest to keep an eye on the opposite side of the road and surrounding forest. I am assuming the group is on the north side of the road and that's where the blind was found. Amar is curious about the other side.
As the forest party moves east Amar will attempt to roughly parallel their movement. Amar suspects before much longer the forest will abut the road.
Markas (once again) agrees with Amar and would prefer to stay in the middle or towards the back, he can scout terrain and signs of the ambush from that position, but mostly he prefers his bow to his swords and needs space in case of an attack. Once we enter the forest his tracking skills will increase as that's where he feels most at home. At that point he may entertain leading.
My impression is that "perception" will increase the likelihood of detecting a trail while "tracking" will help keep us on it.
Assuming that's correct I'd keep Zerys out front, with Pagan closing the group. With Brumdal, Markus and Amar rounding out the middle. If we find something then we'll reorganize.
Does anyone have anything they would like to do at this point?
Generally that is correct. Perception and Survival would be the two skills in play here. Perception is more about leveraging your physical senses (sight, sound, smell, hearing, taste, etc.). Survival is used broadly for navigating, tracking, foraging, etc.
It's not cut and dry about which skill is used for what, so if you find you want to use an alternative skill, you can make a case for that. For example, I would say Markus could use his Survival or Perception skill (his choice) to detect a trail.
Also there are activities you can declare you are doing while traveling.
Someone should obviously be leading the way and other people following, but the followers could be doing other things aside from watching the road. Some examples would be helping to navigate, drawing a map, track, and forage.
Regarding maps: I'm intending to add maps to the chat, to help you visualize your surroundings. (A picture is worth a 1000 words.) Those maps represent "player knowledge" not "character knowledge." For example, characters would still need to declare they are making a map as they go (but you don't have to actually draw one in real life). Making a map could improve your chances of not getting lost, or could be sold to someone else. Right now, since you're on the road, and you have a ranger (and a druid) you probably don't need to worry about getting lost so much, but it might be good to keep in mind for later.
Also you probably need cartographer's tools (and proficiency with those tools) to make a map worth selling.
Yes a 2nd waterskin would be beneficial.
2nd waterskin (filled with ale) added to my character sheet. I subtracted 2gp for the skin and ale plus a little extra for my man, Bumbo, for the service (and delicious eggs.)
Pagan is humming a tune softly from the back of the party as we march. (It sounds like the Master Ninja Theme Song.)
Markas announces to whoever is listening: "Be on watch, we're in a spot ripe for ambush"
He takes his bow off his shoulder and nocks an arrow and holds it in one hand as we continue traveling.
Zerys looks closely at the trail for signs of the lost merchant.
Amar attempts to make better note of his surroundings but it's clear to him he's a novice at such things. If he sees something he'll ask the party for their take.
Amar keeps his mace in reach. Spells are nice but so is a quick thump to somethings head.
Skill checks at the point in the road where the forest and river are closest:
Perception checks to just notice something out of the ordinary or threatening:
Amar: 12
Brumdal: 3
Markus: 3
Pagan: 19
Zerys: 19
No one notices anything of import.
Survival checks to specifically look for any kind of tracks or a trail left behind by someone:
Amar: 2
Brumdal: 9
Markus: 6
Pagan: 11
Zerys: 12
The road itself is not well travelled, but you can definitely tell that creatures have crossed onto it from the direction of the forest at this point.
@Markus you believe if you were to enter the forest--which lies less than 100 yards away--you could perhaps use your Natural Explorer feature to get more specific as forests are your favored terrain.
Also, I'm using the term "creatures" loosely. That could mean anything: humans, goblins, trolls, lions, tigers, bears, etc.
Pagan stop humming. He keeps stealing glances at the road behind for signs of trouble.
Markas announces: "I'm going to step into the forest and see if I can pick up a trail, does anybody care to join me?" He'll start heading in that direction a few yards and turn around. "If I can't find anything we can come back to the road and continue on".
"I think the Elf should join you..." says Pagan looking in the directionof Zerys. "Although in my experience most merchants tend to stay on the road. More chances to sell their goods." He smiles showing his bright pointed teeth.
"We will wait for your return, or for you to call for help."
Brumdal hefts his weapons. "I will join you in the forest. While you search, I will keep watch."
Markus makes his way to the edge of the forest with Brumdal at his side. The rest of the party begins a short rest on the road, but can easily keep eyes on Markus and Brumdal up to the point where they enter the forest.
Perception checks:
Markus: 9
Brumdal: 21
Survival checks:
Markus: 20
Brumdal: 5
Quick note about character knowledge: I will assume that when one character learns something, he/she will share the info with the rest of the party when they are able. So for example, if Markus and Brumdal find something interesting in the forest, they would automatically share the info when they return to the others. The other players should role play appropriately, considering what their characters know and when they know it. So another example, if Markus and Brumdal find themselves in danger, the other characters would need to justify how they know this before rendering aid.
If you do not want your character to relay a certain piece of information, then say so. For example, you might find a giant diamond worth 1000 gold and you could say “I pocket that and don’t tell anyone I have it.” The other players would know that, but they should play their characters as if they don’t.
Markus it is obvious to you that many humanoids use this location as a blind for spying and ambushes. There are tracks all over the place of creatures of mainly small size (e.g. goblin, kobold), but also of medium size (e.g. hobgoblin, orc).
The most recent tracks are one or two days old and were made by nine medium-sized creatures. The tracks indicate that three of the creatures might have been either heavily laden, wounded, or sick. The tracks head east but stay reasonably close to the edge of the forest as if they wanted to stay in contact with the road.
Markas will follow the tracks that parallel the road and tell Brumdal what I've discovered (also Zerys , but I'm not sure if she joined us?). If he can get anyone's attention on the road he's going to motion that he's going to head East but stay at the edge of the woods. He'll continue to check for signs of activity and anything that may indicate a struggle or someone being dragged off into the woods.
I assume in the woods are Markus and Brumdal, and on the road is Zerys, Amar, and Pagan. If anyone wants to revise their location that’s fine.
The party can easily travel in parallel: one group in the woods and one group on the road. The people in the woods can easily make visual contact with people from the road so long as they step out of the trees every once in a while.
Amar does his damndest to keep an eye on the opposite side of the road and surrounding forest. I am assuming the group is on the north side of the road and that's where the blind was found. Amar is curious about the other side.
As the forest party moves east Amar will attempt to roughly parallel their movement. Amar suspects before much longer the forest will abut the road.