Abigail blinks at Morgan's blood-death illusion (?).
"I am with Wilson on this. We sneak out of the city as well as we can, trying not to draw attention to ourselves, and we make for cypress bog. If we can make it there faster by cutting through the wild, I say we go for that; otherwise, we try to keep as low of a profile as possible on the road without sacrificing too much speed. Once they find out the map is gone, I am certain they will send word, which would ruin any element of surprise we might hope for anyway."
1) Abigail wants to try to sneak out of the city (in the hopes that the Ashe Guard do not know we have already left, they may at least attempt to quickly look for us in the city).
2) Pursue whatever is the fastest route to the cypress bog, without throwing stealth to the wind (getting ahead of any message they may send is important, because once they send a message - whoever gets it will be on the lookout for us; however, running down the road without in a clear b-line for the cypress bog will probably be suspicious even without a message being sent.).
3) When we appear to be close to our destination, that is when she wants to start trying to stealthy (because obviously, in any scenario, we do not want to just walk out in the open for people to see us).
Tarak listens to the whirlwind of ideas and agrees the gnome needs to be secured before he spills the beans on the location of where he hid things. As soon as he is secured we need to move for the contraband immediately to secure it and get out ASAP.
Decided, the group sets out. Moving out of the town without much of a issue and into the vast countryside. They do their best to stay off the roads when it becomes clear that the roads are certainly not the most direct path. Moving through the farmland in the rain. With so much of the region cleared, you are all certainly visible. Sometimes the largest thing standing out in a field; other times able to duck into some of the growing paddies and other crops that give some cover.
Of farmers you do notice, none seem to pay much attention. A simple wave in the distance.
The hours go by until you reach the outskirts of the bog cypress grove. The ground becoming mushier. Small streams funneling into the area; another sign of the terraforming the locals have done to enable this grove to thrive. Its closer to the beginning of evening, but still plenty of daylight. Lightly more shadows once you enter the trees. The grove is a bit too dense and large to be able to peer inside without noticing anything. Some light foliage at the top that could be scout able, but would be hard to stay in any sort of stealth. The trees are fairly thin and lack climbing branches. Just a thick set of roots, bushy tops, and a few lithe branches near the top third.
One thing is rather clear, there are paths leading into the bog. The paths are far shallower; ankle deep. But the denser sections of the bog are probably around waist deep and will slow you down. (Difficult terrain without a swim speed).
Looking around, there isn't anyone nearby. The last villager was someone walking their crops a few hours ago. The wind and rain continues to blow, giving a bit of masking as it splashes against the water.
Tarak looks to the group “the paths are the easier and quicker way to move but they may be traveled by more than just us. These woods though not gigantic are large enough to get turned around in. I suggest we stick to the paths. Abigail would you do us the service of scouting ahead?”
Morgan nods, I'm all out of lizard fart water, so I'd like to stay dry, but those are going to be the heavier guarded roads, for sure. Scouting probably he best call if Abigail thinks she's up for it. "
Lafetha is the first to brave into the woods... with the other soon behind her.
The crew enters along ((corridor A)). It's difficult to see through the trees of the swamp, but you know you could certainly attempt to move from where you are into other areas without directly following the path. Some creatures seem to slither in the water. Bugs and fish hopping around. A few trees have been cut down, likely how they use the wood to build in the area.
The entirety of it feels hand-made. The layout. The path. Even the water.
As you all begin to decide which direction to take; you do notice a few oddities along some of the trees. Around the mid section of some of the trees, they appear burnt. Still alive, but some kind of fire damage.
Survival check for the burn marks (? way of marking out a path, signalling set distances, or trees needing to be removed for forestry reasons ?): 22
Abigail you look at the marks, and find a few scales embedded in them. Always along the ones with the burnt edges. Some kind of creature did this, as if the sheer act of rubbing up against it and being near it caused the trees to begin to burn.
Stealth21 Morgan's eyes go wide, "Guys, Lonia Bright-Sun, very sweet lady, told me her brother ran into this very thing." nature14 "Well, whatever this thing is... it better not give us any trouble." Morgan pulls the Ghost-blade out of the pocket dimension. ((Morgan votes we go to 6))
Stealth21 Morgan's eyes go wide, "Guys, Lonia Bright-Sun, very sweet lady, told me her brother ran into this very thing." nature14 "Well, whatever this thing is... it better not give us any trouble." Morgan pulls the Ghost-blade out of the pocket dimension.
Morgan - whatever it is - happens to be rather large. But based on the feel of the specific bit of scale, you don't think it's extremely well armored.
The crew heads down the pathway - seeing a few grooves along the pathway. Likely for wagons and carts so the harvested lumber can be moved from deeper in the grove. It isn't a very long walk - even while staying quiet - a slight curve. Another exit to the grove. And eventually reading
(Section 6)
You come across a section of the grove that's covered in slats and planks. The trees in this area are infants, the slow replacement beginning of trees having been harvested and saplings having been planted. A few vague footprints are in the soft earth, but are too vague to make out under a casual look (Investigation and/or Survival.)
Some older barrels of materials (anyone proficient in nature) would recognize as basic herbalism and horticulturist supplies. Extra soil. Some vials for testing. Likely bug repellent. There are a few baubles down in the murky water, but one of you would have to dive into the water to retrieve it.
A few dozen eggs sit in a nest by some of the baby trees. Alligator.... a mother is likely nearby but not yet seen. And clearly hasn't seen you either.
There's a small gap in the road that leads over to (Section 8) - which a casual look reveals a bit more of a 'lumber mill' feel to it. Outside of the wind, rain, and bugs, you don't hear anything coming from this section - or the other.
Abigail blinks at Morgan's blood-death illusion (?).
"I am with Wilson on this. We sneak out of the city as well as we can, trying not to draw attention to ourselves, and we make for cypress bog. If we can make it there faster by cutting through the wild, I say we go for that; otherwise, we try to keep as low of a profile as possible on the road without sacrificing too much speed. Once they find out the map is gone, I am certain they will send word, which would ruin any element of surprise we might hope for anyway."
1) Abigail wants to try to sneak out of the city (in the hopes that the Ashe Guard do not know we have already left, they may at least attempt to quickly look for us in the city).
2) Pursue whatever is the fastest route to the cypress bog, without throwing stealth to the wind (getting ahead of any message they may send is important, because once they send a message - whoever gets it will be on the lookout for us; however, running down the road without in a clear b-line for the cypress bog will probably be suspicious even without a message being sent.).
3) When we appear to be close to our destination, that is when she wants to start trying to stealthy (because obviously, in any scenario, we do not want to just walk out in the open for people to see us).
Tarak listens to the whirlwind of ideas and agrees the gnome needs to be secured before he spills the beans on the location of where he hid things. As soon as he is secured we need to move for the contraband immediately to secure it and get out ASAP.
Decided, the group sets out. Moving out of the town without much of a issue and into the vast countryside. They do their best to stay off the roads when it becomes clear that the roads are certainly not the most direct path. Moving through the farmland in the rain. With so much of the region cleared, you are all certainly visible. Sometimes the largest thing standing out in a field; other times able to duck into some of the growing paddies and other crops that give some cover.
Of farmers you do notice, none seem to pay much attention. A simple wave in the distance.
The hours go by until you reach the outskirts of the bog cypress grove. The ground becoming mushier. Small streams funneling into the area; another sign of the terraforming the locals have done to enable this grove to thrive. Its closer to the beginning of evening, but still plenty of daylight. Lightly more shadows once you enter the trees. The grove is a bit too dense and large to be able to peer inside without noticing anything. Some light foliage at the top that could be scout able, but would be hard to stay in any sort of stealth. The trees are fairly thin and lack climbing branches. Just a thick set of roots, bushy tops, and a few lithe branches near the top third.
One thing is rather clear, there are paths leading into the bog. The paths are far shallower; ankle deep. But the denser sections of the bog are probably around waist deep and will slow you down. (Difficult terrain without a swim speed).
Looking around, there isn't anyone nearby. The last villager was someone walking their crops a few hours ago. The wind and rain continues to blow, giving a bit of masking as it splashes against the water.
What do you do?
DM PbP Series (Completed) : The Blackmire Company, Voyage of the Windhook ,Shanty of Soulripper, The Streets of Dunnour
Tarak looks to the group “the paths are the easier and quicker way to move but they may be traveled by more than just us. These woods though not gigantic are large enough to get turned around in. I suggest we stick to the paths. Abigail would you do us the service of scouting ahead?”
Morgan nods, I'm all out of lizard fart water, so I'd like to stay dry, but those are going to be the heavier guarded roads, for sure. Scouting probably he best call if Abigail thinks she's up for it. "
"I agree, let's stick to the paths."
Lafetha casts Pass without Trace
stealth 24
Lafetha is the first to brave into the woods... with the other soon behind her.
The crew enters along ((corridor A)). It's difficult to see through the trees of the swamp, but you know you could certainly attempt to move from where you are into other areas without directly following the path. Some creatures seem to slither in the water. Bugs and fish hopping around. A few trees have been cut down, likely how they use the wood to build in the area.
The entirety of it feels hand-made. The layout. The path. Even the water.
As you all begin to decide which direction to take; you do notice a few oddities along some of the trees. Around the mid section of some of the trees, they appear burnt. Still alive, but some kind of fire damage.
STEALTH CHECKS
Abigail:
Morgan:
Tarak:
Wilson:
Lafetha: 24
DM PbP Series (Completed) : The Blackmire Company, Voyage of the Windhook ,Shanty of Soulripper, The Streets of Dunnour
Wilson glances up at the treetops sighing inwardly that the air wont help him here.
Stealth 36 (PWOT included)
Stealth 23
Abigail, Stealth Cat of the Bog: 31
Survival check for the burn marks (? way of marking out a path, signalling set distances, or trees needing to be removed for forestry reasons ?): 22
Abigail you look at the marks, and find a few scales embedded in them. Always along the ones with the burnt edges. Some kind of creature did this, as if the sheer act of rubbing up against it and being near it caused the trees to begin to burn.
DM PbP Series (Completed) : The Blackmire Company, Voyage of the Windhook ,Shanty of Soulripper, The Streets of Dunnour
nature 8 to see if she recognizes what the scales could have come from
Lafetha, you take a look at the scale, but it doesn't look familiar to you, outside its from something bigger than a person.
DM PbP Series (Completed) : The Blackmire Company, Voyage of the Windhook ,Shanty of Soulripper, The Streets of Dunnour
"...anyone impervious to heat?" Abigail asks, noting the burn marks.
As they proceed along, she gripping her the hilt of her sword, formulating various strategies on what she would do against... whatever it could be.
Stealth 21 Morgan's eyes go wide, "Guys, Lonia Bright-Sun, very sweet lady, told me her brother ran into this very thing." nature 14 "Well, whatever this thing is... it better not give us any trouble." Morgan pulls the Ghost-blade out of the pocket dimension. ((Morgan votes we go to 6))
Morgan - whatever it is - happens to be rather large. But based on the feel of the specific bit of scale, you don't think it's extremely well armored.
DM PbP Series (Completed) : The Blackmire Company, Voyage of the Windhook ,Shanty of Soulripper, The Streets of Dunnour
After taking a quick peek around Tarak begins moving up toward 6.
Nature 4 on the scale.
The crew heads down the pathway - seeing a few grooves along the pathway. Likely for wagons and carts so the harvested lumber can be moved from deeper in the grove. It isn't a very long walk - even while staying quiet - a slight curve. Another exit to the grove. And eventually reading
(Section 6)
You come across a section of the grove that's covered in slats and planks. The trees in this area are infants, the slow replacement beginning of trees having been harvested and saplings having been planted. A few vague footprints are in the soft earth, but are too vague to make out under a casual look (Investigation and/or Survival.)
Some older barrels of materials (anyone proficient in nature) would recognize as basic herbalism and horticulturist supplies. Extra soil. Some vials for testing. Likely bug repellent. There are a few baubles down in the murky water, but one of you would have to dive into the water to retrieve it.
A few dozen eggs sit in a nest by some of the baby trees. Alligator.... a mother is likely nearby but not yet seen. And clearly hasn't seen you either.
There's a small gap in the road that leads over to (Section 8) - which a casual look reveals a bit more of a 'lumber mill' feel to it. Outside of the wind, rain, and bugs, you don't hear anything coming from this section - or the other.
DM PbP Series (Completed) : The Blackmire Company, Voyage of the Windhook ,Shanty of Soulripper, The Streets of Dunnour
increasingly uneasy with the lack of sounds Wilson stoops closer to the footprints,
Survival 12
he motions for someone to grab the vials. before motioning his intent to continue along to section 8.
((All of this assumes he does not get bombshell information from the footprints))
Lafetha examines the contents of the barrels nature 18