Beetle thinks a moment..."Well it was a couple hours back to the ambush site. I agree the animals might be able to help us out, which would be great, but they probably cannot help pin point it until we get closer. We should see if there is another trail from here that runs sort of diagonal to the path we came if we can figure that out."
“So Beetle, do you think we will find Gundren? Seems like that old elf I spoke with last night expected trouble with the goblins. He also said the Redbrands are a tough lot. I also think we should head back towards the ambush site.”
“I think we will find him, I just hope there is something left of him to rescue, goblins can be a nasty lot. As for the Redbrands we can deal with them after I’m pretty sure they aren’t going anywhere at the moment.” Beetle pauses a moment to think about the path again. “You 2 are probably right about going back to the ambush site and going on from there, probably better than wandering the woods hoping we are going the right way.”
The group gathers their things and begin their long march back to the ambush site. As the make their way downhill, the distant sounds of the town grow fainter, giving way once more to the sounds of nature. Before long the town of Phandalin disappears into the Sword Mountains.
The Phandalin road abruptly stops as it joins the overgrown Triboar Trail. A signpost reads - “CONYBERRY - 45m >” below a similar sign reading “< HIGH ROAD - 20m”. Turning left along a familiar path, the party head in the direction of the High Road. Hillsides to the south give way to forest again.
Not a lot is said on their march, each focussed on the task at hand. Somewhere out here, a dwarf, his companion and a whole lot of wretched goblins.
The grass, still wet with morning dew, soaks the feet of anyone who strays into it for too long - it’s difficult to avoid on a cart track such as this. Before long the cool morning air gives way, the sun now holding court high above the Sword Mountains, warms their backs.
Ahead, two steep embankments come into view. Trees close in on both sides, dense thickets dominate the hill tops. Two horses lie dead at the roadside, the smell worse than memory serves. One badly torn open by some wandering beast of the night.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Serak: As the adventurers approach the ambush site, Serak speaks in a low voice, "So far, so good...Allow me to make sure there is not another ambush awaiting us, before we continue."
Slipping into the forest and the cover it provides, the rogue searches the area for any signs that goblins have been here since the party left and reports back what he finds.
Stealth: 16
Perception: 7
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"Not all those who wander are lost." - J.R.R. Tolkien
Scouting ahead Serak disappears into the trees beside the road. Beetle, Zyltris and Syna wait silently, every slight noise in the surrounding woodland puts them on edge.
Up ahead, Serak finds the site as they had left it. No further signs of activity are evident, the goblin corpses still lying motionless in the bushes.
Serak: Seeming to appear out of thin air next to Beetle, Serak says, "No one has been here, as far as I can tell. Assuming these slain goblins have not been missed yet by their brethren, we may still have the element of surprise. Shall we continue?"
Seeking out the goblin trail through the thicket, Serak scouts 30ft ahead of the party in search of tracks, traps or other danger as they follow the path.
Stealth: 16
Perception: 8
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"Not all those who wander are lost." - J.R.R. Tolkien
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Wisdom (Survival) checks:
Beetle: 8 Serak: 6 Syna: 15 Zyltris: 4
Serak bursts through the thicket, eager to get on with the rescue mission.
The others, lead by Syna, take time to analyse the goblin trail more carefully and notice something behind the thicket. Etched out in the dried mud, aging footprints of about 12-14 goblins who have used this path as recently as a few days ago. Also evidence of two large humanoid creatures, likely tied up, being dragged away northwards from the ambush site. Old dried streaks of blood dot the path as they follow Seraks footsteps.
OOC: What order will you be following up this path? It is quite narrow so it's likely you'll need to walk single file in parts.
Syna gathers himself for the ritual and casts Speak with Animals, looking again for a bird of prey as the recipient, or other such wandering animal as possible. He will ask if they have seen more of the small creatures who laired here, and if they will show the way.
Syna searches around for an animal of the woodland to cast his spell upon. A small mouse darts past before he has time to realise, a shriek calls out from high above. A hawk circling the sky overhead. Calling out to her, Syna convinces the hawk to land and begins talking to her.
Syna holds out a hand as the hawk lands on his arm. It's huge talons digging in strongly, but carefully as to not injure the elf. "I must apologise Mr. Elf but I haven't seen any creatures larger than the small squeakers that I'm regularly hunting. There was a lot of commotion at this spot in the day time before this day however. Perhaps they have moved into their burrow up this clearing aways? I could of course show you, if it were to be worth my time?" The Hawk cocks her head at the elf and lets out a loud shriek again.
Zyltris watches Syna speak with the hawk while saying “I can take the 2nd position to beef up the front of the party. Or, if you’d rather, I can take the rail of the line to protect against an ambush from behind us as we move forward.”
Syna hands the hawk the dried beef jerky rations. The hawk snaps at the hungrily, tear them with its talons and finishing them quickly.
"That will do nicely friend. Keep your watchers sharp and follow me. I'll hover for you over the burrow. It's not far, only a few flaps away from the road here"
The hawk takes a strong beat of its wings and in an instant is a small bird shaped spec in the sky above them . She soars high, disappearing occasionally behind tree tops and branches but easily followed by her regular shrieks.
Sun's says, "he will sow us the way and circle over them. But be cautious, what is not a danger to him, may be a danger to us. They may have watchers of their own.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
The four adventurers follow the hawk and the trail. Serak scouting the tree line, Beetle, Zyltris and Syna 30ft begins him.
After walking for a mile, Serak spots a crude rope, running to a nearby tree. A snare trap, set to stop any potential attackers using the trail. He cuts the rope with his dagger and calls out to those following to keep an eye out. The hawk continues to shriek as it flies ahead. The going is slow and careful on this dangerous narrow path.
Another two miles pass. Serak creeps along in the trees but a fallen tree forces him back onto the path for a moment. Leaves and branches make a strange pattern on the trail.
Perception (Wisdom] roll: 16
Looking at the pattern closely, Serak notices the intricate lacing togetherness of branches, the leaves covering the darkness below. Another trap avoided.
After two more miles of travelling on the goblin trail, the hawk finallly begins to circle. The band regroup as they make their stealthy approach.
An abrupt cliff face emerges from the woodland. Below the hawks circling, a muddy stream flows from inside a large cave. The stream nestles snugly against the cave wall wall on the near side of the stream. On the opposite side, a path leads inside from a deep thicket of brambles.
Beetle thinks a moment..."Well it was a couple hours back to the ambush site. I agree the animals might be able to help us out, which would be great, but they probably cannot help pin point it until we get closer. We should see if there is another trail from here that runs sort of diagonal to the path we came if we can figure that out."
“So Beetle, do you think we will find Gundren? Seems like that old elf I spoke with last night expected trouble with the goblins. He also said the Redbrands are a tough lot. I also think we should head back towards the ambush site.”
“I think we will find him, I just hope there is something left of him to rescue, goblins can be a nasty lot. As for the Redbrands we can deal with them after I’m pretty sure they aren’t going anywhere at the moment.” Beetle pauses a moment to think about the path again. “You 2 are probably right about going back to the ambush site and going on from there, probably better than wandering the woods hoping we are going the right way.”
”Either way I think we need to head out soon.”
Serak: Nodding his agreement, "I believe our best chance is to track them from the ambush site. Shall we be off?"
"Not all those who wander are lost." - J.R.R. Tolkien
Zyltris: “I think that is a great idea. We should head off while we have the early morning light.”
The group gathers their things and begin their long march back to the ambush site. As the make their way downhill, the distant sounds of the town grow fainter, giving way once more to the sounds of nature. Before long the town of Phandalin disappears into the Sword Mountains.
The Phandalin road abruptly stops as it joins the overgrown Triboar Trail. A signpost reads - “CONYBERRY - 45m >” below a similar sign reading “< HIGH ROAD - 20m”. Turning left along a familiar path, the party head in the direction of the High Road. Hillsides to the south give way to forest again.
Not a lot is said on their march, each focussed on the task at hand. Somewhere out here, a dwarf, his companion and a whole lot of wretched goblins.
The grass, still wet with morning dew, soaks the feet of anyone who strays into it for too long - it’s difficult to avoid on a cart track such as this. Before long the cool morning air gives way, the sun now holding court high above the Sword Mountains, warms their backs.
Ahead, two steep embankments come into view. Trees close in on both sides, dense thickets dominate the hill tops. Two horses lie dead at the roadside, the smell worse than memory serves. One badly torn open by some wandering beast of the night.
The ambush site.
"Well here we are," Beetle says scanning the area. "From here we should move swiftly, but cautiously."
Serak: As the adventurers approach the ambush site, Serak speaks in a low voice, "So far, so good...Allow me to make sure there is not another ambush awaiting us, before we continue."Slipping into the forest and the cover it provides, the rogue searches the area for any signs that goblins have been here since the party left and reports back what he finds.
Stealth: 16
Perception: 7
"Not all those who wander are lost." - J.R.R. Tolkien
Scouting ahead Serak disappears into the trees beside the road. Beetle, Zyltris and Syna wait silently, every slight noise in the surrounding woodland puts them on edge.
Up ahead, Serak finds the site as they had left it. No further signs of activity are evident, the goblin corpses still lying motionless in the bushes.
Serak: Seeming to appear out of thin air next to Beetle, Serak says, "No one has been here, as far as I can tell. Assuming these slain goblins have not been missed yet by their brethren, we may still have the element of surprise. Shall we continue?"
Seeking out the goblin trail through the thicket, Serak scouts 30ft ahead of the party in search of tracks, traps or other danger as they follow the path.
Stealth: 16
Perception: 8
"Not all those who wander are lost." - J.R.R. Tolkien
Wisdom (Survival) checks:
Beetle: 8
Serak: 6
Syna: 15
Zyltris: 4
Serak bursts through the thicket, eager to get on with the rescue mission.
The others, lead by Syna, take time to analyse the goblin trail more carefully and notice something behind the thicket. Etched out in the dried mud, aging footprints of about 12-14 goblins who have used this path as recently as a few days ago. Also evidence of two large humanoid creatures, likely tied up, being dragged away northwards from the ambush site. Old dried streaks of blood dot the path as they follow Seraks footsteps.
OOC: What order will you be following up this path? It is quite narrow so it's likely you'll need to walk single file in parts.
OOC: I will lead, sword and shied out, but moving slowly watching for traps
Beetle turns to Syna "Now may be a good time to call upon you animal friends to scout for us if there are any around."
Syna gathers himself for the ritual and casts Speak with Animals, looking again for a bird of prey as the recipient, or other such wandering animal as possible. He will ask if they have seen more of the small creatures who laired here, and if they will show the way.
"ALWAYS GIVE A MONSTER AN EVEN BREAK!"
1st Edition DMG
Syna searches around for an animal of the woodland to cast his spell upon. A small mouse darts past before he has time to realise, a shriek calls out from high above. A hawk circling the sky overhead. Calling out to her, Syna convinces the hawk to land and begins talking to her.
Syna holds out a hand as the hawk lands on his arm. It's huge talons digging in strongly, but carefully as to not injure the elf. "I must apologise Mr. Elf but I haven't seen any creatures larger than the small squeakers that I'm regularly hunting. There was a lot of commotion at this spot in the day time before this day however. Perhaps they have moved into their burrow up this clearing aways? I could of course show you, if it were to be worth my time?" The Hawk cocks her head at the elf and lets out a loud shriek again.
Zyltris watches Syna speak with the hawk while saying “I can take the 2nd position to beef up the front of the party. Or, if you’d rather, I can take the rail of the line to protect against an ambush from behind us as we move forward.”
Syna looks at the party. "Do we have any meat in the packs for my friend... He Will show us the way."
"ALWAYS GIVE A MONSTER AN EVEN BREAK!"
1st Edition DMG
Beetle looks through his stuff "I have some rations, they might be dried jerky if that will help."
Syna hands the hawk the dried beef jerky rations. The hawk snaps at the hungrily, tear them with its talons and finishing them quickly.
"That will do nicely friend. Keep your watchers sharp and follow me. I'll hover for you over the burrow. It's not far, only a few flaps away from the road here"
The hawk takes a strong beat of its wings and in an instant is a small bird shaped spec in the sky above them . She soars high, disappearing occasionally behind tree tops and branches but easily followed by her regular shrieks.
Sun's says, "he will sow us the way and circle over them. But be cautious, what is not a danger to him, may be a danger to us. They may have watchers of their own.
"ALWAYS GIVE A MONSTER AN EVEN BREAK!"
1st Edition DMG
The four adventurers follow the hawk and the trail. Serak scouting the tree line, Beetle, Zyltris and Syna 30ft begins him.
After walking for a mile, Serak spots a crude rope, running to a nearby tree. A snare trap, set to stop any potential attackers using the trail. He cuts the rope with his dagger and calls out to those following to keep an eye out. The hawk continues to shriek as it flies ahead. The going is slow and careful on this dangerous narrow path.
Another two miles pass. Serak creeps along in the trees but a fallen tree forces him back onto the path for a moment. Leaves and branches make a strange pattern on the trail.
Perception (Wisdom] roll: 16
Looking at the pattern closely, Serak notices the intricate lacing togetherness of branches, the leaves covering the darkness below. Another trap avoided.
After two more miles of travelling on the goblin trail, the hawk finallly begins to circle. The band regroup as they make their stealthy approach.
An abrupt cliff face emerges from the woodland. Below the hawks circling, a muddy stream flows from inside a large cave. The stream nestles snugly against the cave wall wall on the near side of the stream. On the opposite side, a path leads inside from a deep thicket of brambles.