Ludwig, please tell me what the specific piece of knowledge stored in your memory is for which you are searching. You can answer me this way: I try to recall that <such and such> is true.
While we’re all waiting for Ludwig to decide what piece of information he’s trying to remember (if any — Let us know, Ludwig.), maybe we should go over the goals that are in play?
Ganod seems to be motivated by the prospect of acquiring wealth. Is that about right?
For Syl, this seems to be more about pure exploration and a kind of testing of himself as a newly minted druid. Finding encrypted messages from his order relates to this, I think.
I think Ludwig said he wanted to get away from the insults of the village, but perhaps he’s also motivated by wanting to discover the location of the cave he spoke of before. Perhaps he’s hoping to find the power he seeks there. The fabled treasure of the caves would also align with Ganod’s goals.
Let me know if any of this resonates with any of you.
Just speaking for myself, I feel really restricted only being able to choose ONE activity for the entire day of travel. It seems extremely important for us to forage and look for water, so I've been choosing that - but ideally Syl would also be searching for druidic symbols, cataloging plants and animals, watching out for danger, etc. Maybe if we succeed on our first task (hey, we find water!) we can move onto something else? Just a thought.
EDIT: Mountains sound good to Syl. He hasn't had time to draw a really good map, but he's trying to keep a mental image of where they've been. He's traveled so little outside of his home village - he wants to see all of what the continent has to offer.
By virtue of his class, Syl will automatically spot any messages in Druidic that are hidden. He is also free to catalogue plants and animals as you travel. The one activity while traveling is meant to be what you can be assumed to be doing at any given time during the day, so the entire day of travel can be resolved at once and doesn’t get bogged down in minutiae (at least that’s the idea). It doesn’t mean you never do anything else. It’s also meant to be a meaningful trade-off with watching for danger. You can accomplish any of those tasks (or possibly others that are comparable) while traveling but run the risk of becoming surprised.
The lay of the area — a desert plain flanked by mountains to the Northwest and Southeast— triggers your memory, Ludwig. If it serves you correctly, this is the Dry Barrens, a place connected to a personage of some renown in the field of arcane lore, Dirius the Mage, a great teacher of magic. In your studies, you came across an account of his dwelling, a cottage in these parts, with instructions on how to find it.
You can remember the directions now by making a DC 15 Intelligence (Arcana) check. If you fail, you recall the directions but only after spending many hours in thought, delaying your departure until noon-time.
Ludwig, the tale you remember states that upon entering the desert by passing between the two mountain ranges, one must travel northward through the Dry Barrens for half a day’s journey. Then, turn to the Northwest, and before the end of the day, you will come to the abode of Dirius.
It sounds like Ludwig is taking responsibility for keeping the party on course.
Shall I assume that Syl is attempting to keep everyone adequately supplied with water as you pass through the desert? (I generally don’t like to assume your characters’ actions for you.)
I should also mention a few things about travel pace.
Traveling at a slow pace makes it less likely that you’ll get lost. So does being able to see the sun or stars, or having an accurate map of the area as long as someone is navigating.
A slow pace also makes it possible to travel stealthily.
Conversely, traveling at a fast pace makes it more likely that you’ll get lost, and it makes foraging impossible. It also increases the likelihood of someone who is watching for danger becoming surprised.
Just wanted to make sure the consequences and trade-offs are known to everyone.
The Summer sun climbs rapidly as your path takes you northward through the desert, and the mountains in the Northwest draw closer. By mid-day, although the clouds provide some shade, the hot weather doubles your need for water as the wind blows dust across the desert wastes.
When the sun reaches its highest point in the southern sky, your path turns towards the mountains, whose feet you reach in the early afternoon. The way forward is difficult and rocky and somewhat cooler, but by mid-afternoon, when you might have expected to have reached your destination, there is still no sign of the cottage of Dirius.
Foraging was very difficult in the desert, and although less so in the mountains, it is still difficult to find water. As your way climbs higher, a fresh wind pours down the slopes.
Syl, the DC for your Survival check is 18. If you fail, everyone automatically takes a level of exhaustion.
Ludwig, please tell me what the specific piece of knowledge stored in your memory is for which you are searching. You can answer me this way: I try to recall that <such and such> is true.
Would anyone like to decide what this party is doing today?
Ganod? We haven’t heard from you yet today. Did you sleep through your watch?
Do you continue? Change course? Go back?
You can also stay here in the desert and see what happens. The choice is yours.
Syl is waiting to see if Ludwig knows of a better option than barren wasteland.
DM - Above & Below
Ganod, spotting the mountains thinks for a moment, then states, "Why not check out those mountains to the North? Could get us a good view."
He takes his usual (the last) shift on guard duty.
While we’re all waiting for Ludwig to decide what piece of information he’s trying to remember (if any — Let us know, Ludwig.), maybe we should go over the goals that are in play?
Ganod seems to be motivated by the prospect of acquiring wealth. Is that about right?
For Syl, this seems to be more about pure exploration and a kind of testing of himself as a newly minted druid. Finding encrypted messages from his order relates to this, I think.
I think Ludwig said he wanted to get away from the insults of the village, but perhaps he’s also motivated by wanting to discover the location of the cave he spoke of before. Perhaps he’s hoping to find the power he seeks there. The fabled treasure of the caves would also align with Ganod’s goals.
Let me know if any of this resonates with any of you.
Also, what does everyone think of Ganod’s suggestion to head towards the mountains?
That sounds right for Syl.
Just speaking for myself, I feel really restricted only being able to choose ONE activity for the entire day of travel. It seems extremely important for us to forage and look for water, so I've been choosing that - but ideally Syl would also be searching for druidic symbols, cataloging plants and animals, watching out for danger, etc. Maybe if we succeed on our first task (hey, we find water!) we can move onto something else? Just a thought.
EDIT: Mountains sound good to Syl. He hasn't had time to draw a really good map, but he's trying to keep a mental image of where they've been. He's traveled so little outside of his home village - he wants to see all of what the continent has to offer.
DM - Above & Below
By virtue of his class, Syl will automatically spot any messages in Druidic that are hidden. He is also free to catalogue plants and animals as you travel. The one activity while traveling is meant to be what you can be assumed to be doing at any given time during the day, so the entire day of travel can be resolved at once and doesn’t get bogged down in minutiae (at least that’s the idea). It doesn’t mean you never do anything else. It’s also meant to be a meaningful trade-off with watching for danger. You can accomplish any of those tasks (or possibly others that are comparable) while traveling but run the risk of becoming surprised.
I'm trying to remember if there is a place of arcane power in the area.
The lay of the area — a desert plain flanked by mountains to the Northwest and Southeast— triggers your memory, Ludwig. If it serves you correctly, this is the Dry Barrens, a place connected to a personage of some renown in the field of arcane lore, Dirius the Mage, a great teacher of magic. In your studies, you came across an account of his dwelling, a cottage in these parts, with instructions on how to find it.
You can remember the directions now by making a DC 15 Intelligence (Arcana) check. If you fail, you recall the directions but only after spending many hours in thought, delaying your departure until noon-time.
Arcana: 5
"Guys, there's a power mage that lives around these parts. I think we should pay him a visit."
Syl's ears perk up. "A power mage? Who knows what we could learn from him? Lead the way!"
DM - Above & Below
Ludwig, the tale you remember states that upon entering the desert by passing between the two mountain ranges, one must travel northward through the Dry Barrens for half a day’s journey. Then, turn to the Northwest, and before the end of the day, you will come to the abode of Dirius.
How does the party proceed?
Ganod will follow Ludwig since he seems to have directions to a place we can go, which is better than the nothing he had.
Ganod, I get what you’re doing (feel free to elaborate if you want, though).
Ludwig and Syl, what are you doing?
Ludwig will lead them to Dirius
It sounds like Ludwig is taking responsibility for keeping the party on course.
Shall I assume that Syl is attempting to keep everyone adequately supplied with water as you pass through the desert? (I generally don’t like to assume your characters’ actions for you.)
I should also mention a few things about travel pace.
Traveling at a slow pace makes it less likely that you’ll get lost. So does being able to see the sun or stars, or having an accurate map of the area as long as someone is navigating.
A slow pace also makes it possible to travel stealthily.
Conversely, traveling at a fast pace makes it more likely that you’ll get lost, and it makes foraging impossible. It also increases the likelihood of someone who is watching for danger becoming surprised.
Just wanted to make sure the consequences and trade-offs are known to everyone.
Syl will continue looking for water and foraging to make sure they're adequately supplied heading into the desert.
"Only a half day, you think? No use standing around then!" He follows.
DM - Above & Below
The Summer sun climbs rapidly as your path takes you northward through the desert, and the mountains in the Northwest draw closer. By mid-day, although the clouds provide some shade, the hot weather doubles your need for water as the wind blows dust across the desert wastes.
When the sun reaches its highest point in the southern sky, your path turns towards the mountains, whose feet you reach in the early afternoon. The way forward is difficult and rocky and somewhat cooler, but by mid-afternoon, when you might have expected to have reached your destination, there is still no sign of the cottage of Dirius.
Foraging was very difficult in the desert, and although less so in the mountains, it is still difficult to find water. As your way climbs higher, a fresh wind pours down the slopes.
Syl, the DC for your Survival check is 18. If you fail, everyone automatically takes a level of exhaustion.