Chapter 1 - Road to Phandalin

Breakfast at the Driftwood Tavern did not disappoint. Mouth-watering pieces of freshly hunted game accompanied with bread, and cheese. Fresh vegetables for those seeking a lighter meal. Water or ale for refreshments. Customers usually find it hard to leave the establishment, but you do it gladly, as the promises of adventure, camaraderie, and gold fuel your desire to be on the road as soon as possible.

The wagon arrived overnight, as promissed, with all the supplies Gundren mentioned to you before. Two big oxen are waiting to pull the wagon, but they wait for someone to take the reins. Your journey will take you south along the High Road to the Triboar Trail, which heads east. Most of you know that these road connects Waterdeep in the south with Luskan in the north, with Neverwinter somewhere in between. Three days should be enough to reach Phandalin, but you now that this road is not for the faint of heart. No, you were hired to escort the wagon because the High Road has its perils. Be it monsters or bandits, trouble is bound to happen.

As Madame Rosene waves you good by, wishes you the best, and sends her regards to Gundren, you start your trip to Phandalin. A couple of hours go by without complication. Close to the city, there are enough guards coming and going to ensure peace is maintained, but you know this will not always be the case. The oxen have taken a liking to Loraviel, they are extremely comfortable with the elf. 

It is not until noon that the group gets its first rest. Woods on the right mean that you could find game or, at the very least, some roots and herbs that can fill your belly.

After this stop, you will continue traveling the road for at least 5 more hours. The group will have to find a good place to rest on the side of the road as oxen and wagon can't possibly go into the woods.

It is getting late in the afternoon, and as Loraviel drives the wagon, she looks for a good spot to make camp. (Survival: 18) Provided that the party is ready to rest.

Surge drinks copious amounts of water from his small cask now that he's far from the sea and takes every opportunity to top the cask off once more whenever near a stream or anything of the like.  When refilling it he doesn't dunk it below the water but rather opens it and wiggles his fingers in a beckoning motion as a thin stream of water rises up and flows into the container.

"Pardo, was it?  What's your favorite animal, Captain?"

Pardo nods in approval and starts considering the Company's options.

Lack of rations wouldn't kill them in two days, but it's never a good idea to fight hungry.  Of course, leaving the supplies unattended would be an even worse idea.  He was hesitant to spare more than two from defense and one would be better provided the forager/hunter could be relied upon to be unseen.  

Loraviel is a natural choice (if we are content without meat) but I would be loath to send her into these brigand-filled woods alone.  I could replace my mail with leather ...  My stealth skills are passing fair...  

"Priest, I have spent my adult life mounting children's ponies and the odd mastiff.  I must confess that I have looked at wandering paladins' warhorses covetously."

Surge smiles and nods at Pardo and, during their next break, begins sketching with charcoal on what remains of his stack of paper.  During the afternoon along the road he hands a sheet down to Pardo that depicts the halfling standing atop a stout warhorse in full gallop.  The saddle is more akin to a roman chariot than a normal saddle and Pardo stands at his full height holding the front edge with one hand and pointing the other straight ahead, possibly signaling a charge.  Numerous halfing sized weapons adorn the horse and a rope ladder flaps in the wind as the stallion gallops on.  Two more less distinct halflings are firing arrows off of the back of the horse and in the bottom corner of the sketch is a '-P' with simplified symbols of Valkur and Eldath next to it.

"A gift" is all Surge says with a smile.

Surge agrees to pay a bit more attention to the necessary guard duty if Loraviel and Pardo want to do some hunting during one of their breaks.

Pardo is delighted with the gift, but turns his thoughts back to more practical matters.

"I fear that we cannot spare two.  Protecting our charged cargo must be our first priority.  I would be willing to allow one Company member to go, on the condition that he or she stay hidden as much as possible and be able to give a warning should enemies be seen. 

I am willing to perform such a task.  I trust in my ability to go unseen when not wearing mail and in my ability to defend myself even if spotted.  But I regret that I would have trouble identifying forageable food suitable for our estimable Druid, and it has been many years since I have had to mimic a convincing bird call."

Surge leans back and rests easy against the cart once again, sipping his wooden cup.  He smirks when Pardo tells them what he will 'allow', generally amused thus far by the serious halfling.

"Aye, you all heard the captain!  Keep your eyes peeled for sails on the horizon!"

"Captain, you have my word, I'll be right here when you get back."  He raises his cup with a wide smile...yet again.  The genasi seems playful and amused more than he is being sarcastic or insulting, or most would take it that way, at least.

When it is time to hunt and they decide who will perform the task, Surge has a more serious moment to himself as he clutches his pair of holy symbols and asks "blessed Eldath, do watch over my brave companion so that we may start this journey off right and thus hope to not need to trouble you further on down this road."

Guidance on our chosen hunter.  Although it only lasts a minute, may they at least get off on the right track, such as avoiding the eyes of anyone watching us on the road.

Quote from Hexblade37 >>

Surge leans back and rests easy against the cart once again, sipping his wooden cup.  He smirks when Pardo tells them what he will 'allow', generally amused thus far by the serious halfling.

"Aye, you all heard the captain!  Keep your eyes peeled for sails on the horizon!"

"

"Good Priest, I am no more Captain of this party than any here," Pardo says.  He attempts to bow his head humbly but all can see that he is pleased.

Kilxus sits on the ground near the wagon and says "I'm not really the stealthy type, so I should probably stay put." 

He smiles at Pardo's attempt to be humble, and appreciates Surge's blessing.

While the party setup camp. Loraviel goes off to hunt for food for her companions. She says a prayer to the Goddess asking for permission to hunt in the Forest, then silently goes off into the woods. (Stealth+Guidance: 22+4). She first hunt for a game so her companions are able to have a good meal. (Survival: 16) She brings whatever she is able to find back to the camp. She asks for someone from the group to prepare the meal. Then goes off again to gather herbs and nuts, to complement the meal for the night, and a little something for the oxen as well. (Survival: 15)

(OCC: Sorry, I am not sure how to add the Stealth+Guidance roll, but it was not tampered with.)

(OCC: I am really sorry guys. Something got messed up with the above post. The rolls kept changing at each refresh. Hopefully this post will work normally.)

While the party setup camp. Loraviel goes off to hunt for food for her companions. She says a prayer to the Goddess asking for permission to hunt in the Forest, then silently goes off into the woods. (Stealth+Guidance: 17 + 2). She first hunt for a game so her companions are able to have a good meal. (Survival: 12) She brings whatever she is able to find back to the camp. She asks for someone from the group to prepare the meal. Then goes off again to gather herbs and nuts, to complement the meal for the night, and a little something for the oxen as well. (Survival: 8)

Ebb will prepare the food from Loraviel, I feel like he is a pretty good cook. Once he finishes cooking, eating, and setting up camp, he'll mess around with Flo until it gets dark. Once it does get dark, you'll see him start fidgeting and getting nervous. At that point, he'll start meditating, with Flo circling around his head slowly. As he does so, the fidgeting and nervousness will stop, and then after an hour of meditation, he will go to bed, happy to take any watch he needs to.

Pardo hopes nobody notices his scowl when he first sees Loraviell return to camp. He has to admit, however, that her wilderness skills are impressive. Despite him watching the tree line anxiously, she seemed to appear beside him, laden with small game, as if by magic. 

Struving to hide his displeasure, Pardo thanks Lirelvai for allowing him to supervise the cart’s defense as he had intended. He says no more about it, although he does praise Ebb’s preparation of the meal several times without mentioning Lorelvei’s efforts to procure the meal 

[OOC] Ready to roll whatever I need to for whatever watch. And sorry for the spelling. On my phone. 

Coming back from the herbs and nuts gathering empty handed, Loraviel is upset with herself for not being able to find some treats for the oxen. "If you will all excuse me, I would like to retire by the wagon. I will take the watch for the second part of the night."

Kilxus eats slowly and thanks Ebb for cooking, he isn't too tired an announces that he will take whichever watch shift that is needed. With that he starts meticulously cleaning his gear as it is dusty from the road.

Everyone please roll for Perception to see if you notice anything during your watch.

Loraviel (Perception: 18)

Pardo (Perception 17)

Ebb (Perception 21