"Friends, it is truly a trap.  The raven can hear, what it calls 'small evil creatures', ahead in the trees.  It has said that sometime yesterday it also captured the unfortunates with the horses.  Tall and small ones "

Syna touches his emblem and thinks back on the spells he asked Rillifane Rallathil to grant him this day.

"I have two spells, which may aid us.  I can call up a bank of fog to obscure us, or I may call upon the cold to deliver some pain to many at a distance.  I would think, that they know we are here by now and might soon attack on their own." 

Beetlejuice ponders the situation for a moment thinking of his training from the keep.

 "I think hiding us with the fog isn't the best idea at the moment, as Syna said they know we are here.  I think our best bet would be to draw them out if we can so we know what we are dealing with before rushing in."

Beetle still stands ready shield and sword out now ready for battle.  

"Our biggest problem will be closing the distance since they are obviously archers."

Serak: While the Druid finishes casting his spell, Serak slowly begins to sneak toward the blockade.

Keeping as much distance as possible from the barricade, he cautiously looks for traps along the path and actively seeks out a way around the barricade if one exists. 

Beetlejuice starts to slowly move towards the woods, expecting an attack at any moment.  He makes sure to keep at least 20 or so feet behind Serak as not to alert enemies to his presence or trap finding.

"While the other three companions debate what to do next, Serak makes his way along the path towards the two dead horses. He doesn't spot any obvious traps between them and the cart. The faint smell of the dead horses drifts gently in the air as he now stands about 20 feet from the blockade. While the road doesn't appear to be completely blocked by the horses, there certainly isn't enough room to maneuver the cart around them. "

(OOC: Excuse the sketchy annotations but above is the layout of the scene as Serak has seen it. X marks the spot of the horses)

Serak: After determining the path is free of traps, the reckless rogue makes his way south, around and up the embankment. 

Serak will now scout out the enemies position on the southern embankment during the ten minute ritual casting. 

He'll get only close enough to take note of creature type, position, numbers, weapons, armor, cover and if any appear to be spell casters and report the information back to the group. 

OOC: Serak, please make a Dexterity (Stealth) check and a Wisdom (Perception) check.

Syna takes up a partial obscured position at the rear of the wagon, and readies himself to support Serak.

OOC: From what I've read my first Stealth check is good until I either reveal myself or I'm discovered, but I've no problem doing another. Also, I don't mind you rolling for me to speed things along. 

Stealth: 8

Perception: 19

Edit: Ouch! I'm paying for that first natural 20. lol

Zyltris hops off the cart and begins making his way along the opposite side of the trail, knowing he will need to be in melee range to provide any support. He is going to get within range of reaching whatever lurks ahead in a single action. 

OOC: Usually the one check would work fine unless something dramatic changes. However in this instance, as you're getting closer to an enemy position in a wooded area I thought the check would be justified? Happy to change it next time if you all disagree?

11

OOC: Honestly up to you how you want to handle Stealth, though I was operating under the assumption one check was good until my character interacted with something or someone or gets caught.

OOC I’m fine with however we want to handle rolls but agree it’s dm’s ultimate decision.

Beetle continues to follow Serak but still being very cautious and trying to stay at least 20 feet or so behind just so he is close enough to close the distance and help if needed.

OOC: I think in a faster face to face game it would have been clear I was using that natural 20 to scout the enemy. I'd not have done it if I thought I was going to have to roll again on my next action. 

That being said, I am fine with which ever way you choose to deal with Stealth.

OOC: OK next time I will take this into account. The new roll hasn't affected the result. If at any time I've made a bad DM call please let me know, still picking a lot of these rules up and I'm happy to be lead at times if you think I'm being unfair.

Serak makes his way through the wood and up the bank quietly and carefully. He stops about 15 feet from the dense thicket, but doesn't see any movement within it's twisted briars and branches. An old dead branch bends beneath his lightly placed foot, but doesn't snap. Through the break in the trees he has a perfect view of the horses below, it is a perfect vantage point. 

OOC: You're good, Brownbeard. Stealth is my dude's thing. Honestly when I DM, I make all Stealth checks behind the scenes. Knowing I had a nat 20 is metagaming, in a sense. I would not mind at all if you make all my Stealth checks behind the scenes. 

Serak: Passing Beetlejuice on his way back to the cart to report what he found, he taps the Paladin on the shoulder and signals to follow him back to the others. 

Beetlejuice turns and follows Serak back to the cart to hear the report, still keeping an eye on the tree lines for any activity.

Serak: "If there is anyone up there, they are well hidden and waiting. Syna's suggestion about conjuring fog seems a wise approach. It would provide cover from their arrows while we ascend the embankment and roust them from their hiding places."

Beetle ponders a moment... 

"OK, lets try it, use the fog as cover as we move on their position.  What are we doing with the cart though, it will need to be tied off somewhere and we still need to keep an eye on it so no one circles around behind us and grabs it."

OOC: I also must add, this is my first time playing but not in a tabletop live group, I wasn't quite sure what to expect from playing in this setting, but honestly so far I am loving it...finding myself checking at min. every hour to see if anything new happens, I am definitely into this great experience.

OOC: Great news Beetle, glad you're enjoying it as much as I am. It's my first game away from the table too but I'm checking every chance I get, it's a lot more engaging than I thought it would be and we've barely even started in. Hope it keeps on giving for you!