Rhanloi's Romp Through the Sword Coast

Survival:21

Perkas goes up to the area, bends down on her haunches to get a better look at the ground. She eyes the tracks heading west, takes a look at the prints both vehicle and non. She puts her open face palm into one of the vehicle tracks and gets a read. She gets up sniffs her hand and makes a face. She dusts her hands off with a few claps and turns to the group.

"Something big and pretty heavy looks like it was dragged on some kind of sled that way" she points in the westward direction. "Something slimy was pulling it, slugs maybe? Had some beings with them for sure, lizard folk."

She gets a glint in her eye happy to be of some use.

Surivival: 15

Manfred nods along with Perkas's appraisal. 'Great work ferreting out the trail. Definitely looks like the patrol ran into trouble.' He bends over to collect some of the buttons, sighing sadly.

Nature: 13

'Those slime trails look kinda familar, but I'm not sure if I can quite place them. Have you seen them before Perks?'

Most of the time, the tracks are easy to follow. However, occasionally the trail runs through very swampy water, and tracking becomes more difficult. The Mere of Dead Men is a cold saltwater swamp roughly 100 miles (160 km) long by 30 miles (48 km) wide along the shore. It is full of trees, vines, quicksand, and hidden islands, and generally covered in fog, making visibility poor. The bones of fallen creatures are often visible poking up from the vegetation or slime-covered water.

I need a marching order, and what each of you are doing to help the search. One of you needs to roll a Survival check to follow the tracks. Others can keep a lookout (Perception), or watch the flora and fauna (Nature), or perform some other action that your character wants (like playing the bagpipes...although not recommended!) If you are proficient in a skill, you can Aid Another player to give them Advantage on their roll. 

Penumbra takes flight as the party approaches the swamp, she keeps roughly above Droop who walks second in the marching order. From her higher vantage point she tries to spot any movement in the fog below that might indicate unwanted company.

Perception: 12

Droop thoroughly enjoys himself as he treks through the muck of the swamp.

Manfed will let the mightly Wakka take rear guard. He’s a bit of a talented amateur at these things, so just tries to keep an eye open for any nasty critters, rather than offering any advice to the professionals… (Also, he doesn’t own any bagpipes!)

Nature: 24 (lucky halfling re-roll!)

Perkas guides the group following the tracks and trails. Maybe if they stuck as close as they could they would be safe. She steps lightly and cautiously as possible keeping her eyes peeled as best she can for changes.

Survival- 15+5=20

(Phew)

Perkas' keen eyes and skills keep the party on the right track (the first of 3 required successes!). Penumbra's vantage point and amazing perception reveals a ruined structure off to the west - perhaps a keep or fallen tower (the party is travelling south-southwest). Manfred's finely honed sense of smell and taste alert him to the faint odor, and taste, of rotten eggs... (Great job! Next "round" of actions/rolls, please.)

(Sorry for the delay!  Been a very busy few days on my end)

Wakka, who had taken the rear guard as usual, kept an eye out for any sort of traps or unwanted surprises that may have been hidden within the fog and foliage of the Mere.  He trusted the others the find the right pass through the area and towards the lost patrol.

• Investigation: 11  

Manfred continues his lookout for dangerous (or interesting!) things…

Nature: 7 (Squirrel!)

Survival: 19

Perkas keeps pushing forward carefully and cautiously keeping everyone as close as possible. Still following the deep tracks and the footprints she feels confident in their path.

The ranger's training continues to prove out - despite several times when the tracks went through deep puddles or areas of thick foliage, Perkas manages to continue following the tracks. Wakka's investigations reveal nothing of interest, and Manfred's senses still the faint aftertaste of rotten eggs, which distract him throughout this hour of travel. (Good job! Only need one more successful Survival check to reach whatever was making these tracks =)

Penumbra informs the group about the structure she has spotted and continues to keep a lookout.

Perception: 23

Survival 7

Covered in muck and debris Perkas tries her best but she just can't sense or see what or where she's going.

Wakka kept on the lookout for any sort of traps or ambushes hidden in the murk and gloom of the Mere.

• Investigation: 20  

DM roll: 6...

Perkas - please make a Nature check...

Nature 19+4=23

As Perkas leads the group further and further into the Mere of Dead Men, she begins to silently fret because she lost the trail about 15 minutes ago. Now, pushing hard to find some clue or trace of the group they pursue, she takes a step onto another patch of dead-leaf-strewn muddy ground, only to realize that the usual ground under it is not there! She manages to stop herself, and Droop who is following close behind, from sinking into this patch of quicksand! Perkas takes a moment to warn the others of the danger and to look for a way around. Luckily, Penumbra spots the giant crocodile and two young crocodiles coming out of the surrounding underbrush to attack the party! (Roll initiative and give me your first planned action!)

('x'=no access; 'C'=giant croc; 'c'=young croc; '.'=5' gap; characters are 5' apart)
 x x x x x x x 
x x . . . x x x
 c . Pk . x x
x . . Dr . x x (Perkas is 10' above Droop)
C . Ma . . x x
 x x . Wa . x x
x x c . . . . x x

Giant Croc init: 3
2 young crocs init: 11

Initiative: 22

Manfred lets out a small 'Eeek!' as he sees a giant crocodile surface next to him, but quickly recovers and hurls a flaming Chromatic Orb at it... (8 to hit, 25 fire damage)

Initiative 20

Perkas quickly assessing the situation after hearing manfreds eek and turns to the larger one, eyes it up (H.M.) and fires off 2 bolts 

Bolt 1   to hit 26 / damage 12+3 =15

Bolt 2  to hit 17 / damage 14+3=17

Initiative: 21

Penumbra calls out a warning to the group as she hurls a fire Bolt at the largest croc.

Attack: 24 Damage: Unable to parse dice roll.

Droop Initiative: 18

Droop quickly draws his short sword and moves between Perkas and the small croc near her. He then attacks.

Attack: 22 Damage: 7

Extra Attack: 21 Damage: 7