Thinking back to what happened to his tribe, Scar growls out, "Seems like more than just an Orc raiding party, there is something larger going on here and I can't wait to put an end to it."

Cass clicks his hand crossbow back. "Cocked, Locked, and Ready to hunt down the people that did this."

"No bodies, and no animals? Why would they kidnap an entire village?" Obsben mutters just loud enough to be easily overheard. "It doesn't matter for now. I'm ready to go, I do dare say! Whatever these miscreants plans are, they will not come to fruition!" He grins brightly and pumps his fist several times in the air. "Not while the Sundry Six are on their tail, I do dare say! Let's go!" An unusually excited Obsben starts marching his way in the direction of the smoke, pumping his fist in the air the whole time. 

Lets make sure the merchants are safe before we hunt down those raiders. 

If Boh mentions the merchants, then that knocks the steam right out of Obsben. "That's... not a bad idea. Though. If these tracks are basically leading southward, and there going another way, we shouldn't have to worry too much." He says as he turned about to find the caravan leader to question about future direction and guards. 

Geth plays cheerleader as Obsben gives his enthusiastic speech. "No fruit for those miscreants or their plans!" he shouts, ambiguous as to whether he is being sarcastic. "We go, sundrily!" He walks behind Obsben, imitating his fist pumps. "Sundry Six! Sundry Six!" he cheers, conjuring the sound of a large cheering crowd.

"I am fine with staying to guard caravan, just remember they not pay us. They offered us a ride as we were going same direction. Which works in their benefit as obviously if caravan is attacked we would defend. If the looters of that town went a different direction, I say we follow them."  Scar will point out.

„Scar is right, but it still doesn‘t feel right to leave them alone in the middle of the road. Does anyone know how far the next settlement  is from here?“

(Sorry for the long silence, the 999th level of the abyss known as "Restaurant Week" has come to my town)

The caravan leaders looked concerned over the news of the farmsteads. Berin shakes his head, "It is a shame, but a story we have heard before. We turn south here and follow the lowlands towards the Triboar. It seems your path is taking you east and deeper into the forest. As promised, the provisions you requested plus some items you might need on the mountain."

There are 3 sets of climbing kits. Beyond the burning vale of the farmsteads, the mountain known as Stone tooth rises up. 

This is the general layout of the approaches to the mountain where the orc are coming from. I am pretty much looking for the "How do you want to do this?" 

Following the path of the orcs traces that little brown line on the bottom left hand side of the map towards point A (just as a frame of reference)

I would say we keep on tracking the orcs, with me around 100 feet ahead and Arinrhod following me inside the trees.

26 for sneak

19 for perception

12 - 4 for survival mixed up modifiers

 Works for me. Geth will send Arianrhod along to trail Boh.

Stealth: 23

Perception: 18

Bho and Rhode disappear into the wilderness. Moving from shadow to shadow, paralleling the path the orcs took.  

The rest of you are following on the path? 

After an hour of travel Bho witnesses a small contingent of four porcine humanoids. Their muscular, grey skinned frames and tusks identify them as orcs. They wear several layers of patchwork leather and carry spears and axes. Their guttural barking break the silence as they travel at a measured run towards the mountain ahead. The ground begins to slope upward at a increasing pace. 

The path winds back and forth up the face of the the rock to a small steppe some 200' above the treeline. Bho would lose cover exiting the treeline here.

I‘ll regroup with the others.

“If we approach from here we will be seen most likely. We could wait for nightfall and use the cover of darkness or we can search for a second entrance. The smoke over there seams promising...“

"I could make you invisible if you want to follow them more closely while the rest of us keep a little distance..." Geth suggests.

"I have some tricks that can make us harder to detect as well, if we want to be more direct."

Anton is speaking of his ability to make them sneakier

„How about i track them  for now under protection of Geths spell, while you find a safe spot to rest and wait for nightfall. Then with Antons help we will sneak up on them and deal with them in a swift and fast strike.“

21 for sneak

15 for perception

OOC i wonder if i will break 40 sneak with pass without trace and guidance 🤣

In preparation for night-work, Anton will cast Darkvision on himself (and one other person if anyone needs it), then will use the downtime to short-rest to recover that ki.

"Can Orcs see in the dark? Because I heard that tends to be a... 'thing' for the folk that often dwell in the wilds for whatever reason. 'xcept the human barbarians. But those are some absolute mad lads." Obsben rambles on in between breathes, as it wasn't exactly easy keeping up with the taller folk. "But uh, I digress! If can they can see in the dark, and, well... You know what? It's okay. Scar? If'n ya don't mind, can I ride on your back for this little nightfall invasion? That way Mr. Anton there doesn't need overtax himself? Plus, I have my own bit of magic and some torches on hand to light things up for when the time comes. And some things I can do even without seeing thanks Big Mama's guidance." 

You could Bhuraelea. The problem is that Guidance only lasts a minute, and for Pass without Trace, you have to stay within 30ft of the caster. Though Anton's a monk, so that last one isn't so bad to work around. 

To DM - How much time is left in the day by the time Bho reports the Orcs? And could he get back to them well within 10 minutes? Because if so, Obs will make sure to throw him a Bardic Inspiration at the very least. Which I think will be a short story about his cousin Ricky from Waterdeep who had to run from one side of the city to the other while being pursued by all the gangs of Waterdeep.

Well, imagin a dark night without moon, fir me the same night looks like a snow covered winternight with a full moon. And that snow covered winter night looks like bright day for me. Point is, even if we can see in the dark, it is still worse then during the day. And guards usualy get tired and distracted in the night, no matter how good your eyes are.