Esmee steps forward from the crowd of people, having stayed quiet and unassuming while the Elders spoke. She's got her bow and quiver slung over one shoulder and her full pack across the other. She's dressed practically for the woods surrounding the Dale.
With all the supplies worked out and instructions left behind by everyone on how to take care of any of their chores or other obligations in The Dale the party is seen off by many. Most wishing you well and patting your backs, some scowling at the oddity of anyone leaving the Dale and the increased burden it puts on the town. Some of the children follow you to the last big hill and then watch you continue over it. The first Halflings to ever leave The Dale.
Your first several hours of traveling is filled with mixed emotions. Anxiety, excitement, pride and fear. As you travel over the rolling hills towards Rolling Rock Pass the mountains grow larger and larger dominating the sky ahead. You start to realize just how immense they truly are and how big the world around you really is. With the hills growing in size the closer you get to the mountains it often takes an hour or more of walking up them before you reach the top and see the next one stretched out before you. Cresting one of the hills you spook a herd of elk on the other side and they dash off into the protection of the trees. Off in the distance you can see tiny white specks of rams who appear to be on sheer cliff faces hoping about like they were on flat land.
Ed will tell the party of his plan to wildshape into a riding horse and it's limitations on duration and let them tell him when they are tired of walking and want him to wildshape. While in Halfling form he will keep an eye out for obvious medicinal herbs that would be easy and quick to collect. Other than that he would be enjoying the time outdoors with his friends.
Esmee stays ranged slightly ahead of the others, using the skills her mentor taught her to stay alert and on course. She'll let Barmo and Eikis take turns with Ed's offer, she's used to the physical exertion.
Every now and then she'll smile quietly at her friends' chatter and find pleasure in their seeing some stuff farther away from the Dale for the first time. They've not yet gotten further than where her mentor took her when teaching her how to track and hunt, he took her a day's swift travel away a few times and she's even spent the night that far out.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
The first time Eikis climbs onto Ed's horse-form back, it's a process with much uncertainty, a few smalls screams, and perhaps just a little bit of panicked mane-pulling as she tries desperately not to fall off. Riding horses is definitely something outside of Eikis' comfort zone, but with enough coaxing and the gentle pace set by Ed, she manages to acclimate to it after a few hours. She can already tell, however, just how sore her bottom is going to be at the end of the day.
Hmm... maybe I should look into building some sort of padded saddle to make the ride more comfortable,she thinks as they travel, eying her bedroll with more than a few thoughts.
As they travel, Eikis commands Vicious to keep watch with Esmee, protecting her and assisting with the scouting when possible.
Vicious Perception: 24 Reminder: Vicious has "Vigilant" and cannot be surprised
Eikis, excited at the prospect of traveling to somewhere new, keeps an eye out as well for anything that looks interesting. Mostly, however, she keeps her eye on the trail, trying to ensure that the party stays on the right path to the Rolling Rock Pass.
(Oh man, don't get me started on the dice roller. They have more people using the site than ever. More people playing PbP and they have a very very basic and integral part of the site broken. Very bad first impression!)
With Ekis keeping a look out and Vicious being vigilant the day passes and turns to evening without any incident. Aside from normal hill and forest dwelling animals no one sees anything troubling. By evening you are starting to get into low mountains covered by sparse forest. You realize that at your current rate of travel you won't get to the pass until late tomorrow afternoon at the earliest. It's getting to be time to find a good camping spot. (Someone with good survival can give me a survival check with advantage from others helping)
(I'm currently working on a system for finding herbs you'd need for potions. When I get it down I'll count today into the searching)
You have a favored terrain type. Your proficiency bonus is doubled for proficient skills when you make an INT or WIS check related to it. While traveling for an hour or more in your chosen terrain, difficult terrain doesn’t slow your group’s travel, your group can’t become lost except by magical means, you remain alert to danger even when you are engaged in another activity, you can move stealthily at a normal pace (while alone), you find twice as much food while foraging, and while tracking creatures, you learn the exact number, sizes, and how long ago they passed through the area.
Forest
You are particularly familiar with one type of natural environment and are adept at traveling and surviving in such regions.
Ed starts looking for a spot but Esmee calls out and waves to the party. She find an idyllic spot that has natural cover on 3 sides but offers a good view of the surroundings from the front. There is a flat area just large enough for tents and a small fire.
Ed will dig a small pit and line it with rocks. When he is done with that he will start a small campfire with the wood that was found using the produce flame cantrip
Eikis, after limping her way into the camp and setting up her tent and bedroll for the evening, would come out and watch the others preparing the camp out.
"Hmm... I can cook a good meal for us even over a campfire, but that's about as far as my skills go," she admits to the others helplessly, watching how competently they all seem to be able to handle setting up for a night in the woods. This is what I get for spending too much time in my workshop,Eikis thinks, wondering just where her life skills fled to as she observes Esmee and Ed working hard.
"I don't think I'll be much help here," she calls out. "But I want to take a quick look around the campsite and see if I can find anything for an idea I've been working on," she adds, tentatively stepping towards the forest. Knowing how bad she is at the entire wilderness survival bit, Eikis makes sure she can see the party's campfire at all times while she searches. Sweating a little, she murmurs under her breath to give herself a magical boost of confidence, then begins to scour the ground, looking for owl feathers. "What would the others do," she mutters under her breath, taking the butt-end of her yklaw and pushing through the leaves under the trees, searching.
Vicious is guarding Eikis as she looks: Perception: 19
Eikis is looking for owl feathers: Investigation: 16 + Guidance 2
Despite the odd terrain for what you usually look for Eikis, you get a good haul of supplies. Including a weathered partial skull of some animal that just had the eye sockets left. It seems to fit well over a hafling sized face.
With camp all set up everyone enjoys a meal and starts thinking about sleep.
Would you like to set up a watch?
(for the day everyone looses a ration and a gallon of water, 2 waterskins. we will remember, or put in notes, you have the empty skins for filling as needed)
((I put in other equipment notes waterskins 2 empty 2 full))
As everyone is settling in for the evening, Esmee volunteers for second watch. It's the harder shift as it's difficult to be woken up after a short rest and then stay wakeful. Her friends might be having a more difficult time with this trip and Esmee wants to start paying them back for saving her life.
"We should keep watch in shifts. I'll take second because it's the hardest and I can stay watchful when you guys might not."
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
(I'm not going to wait for the rest of the watch rotation b/c Ed got the lucky 1 in 12 for a random encounter :) I will assume that Eikis leave Vicious to guard all night)
The night is cool but pleasant and the fire has burned low. Everyone has turned in for the night. Ed maybe letting his usual vigilance slip a bit knowing that Vicious is by his side. While Ed is momentarily distracted dropping another log onto the fire Vicious becomes immediately alert drawing Ed's attention. He turns around just in time to see a huge snake looming over the edge of boulders at the side of the camp. It's head poised to strike.
(I'm going to assume we haven't had our long rest yet...)
Vicious's low growl is something Eikis would recognize anywhere; she's pulled out of sleep almost instantly and reaching blindly for her crossbow before she's even aware of what's going on. The mechanical badger is snarling at the large snake threatening the camp, and Eikis reacts almost instictinvely, trying to shoot it:
Attack: 11 Damage: Unable to parse dice roll.
Vicious also leaps forward to grapple with the snake, trying to bring it low to the ground before it can hit anyone. Vicious Athletics for Grapple: 17
(actually I think technically Eikis can't command Vicious to grapple... I just looked it over, his only actions are dodge, dash, disengage, hide, help, search, rend, or repair. I would prefer that Vicious try to grapple, but just in case the DM rules that he can't, alternative action block:)
Vicious also leaps forward to grapple with the snake, attempting to rend it with his jaws:
Esmee steps forward from the crowd of people, having stayed quiet and unassuming while the Elders spoke. She's got her bow and quiver slung over one shoulder and her full pack across the other. She's dressed practically for the woods surrounding the Dale.
"I'm with you guys."
With all the supplies worked out and instructions left behind by everyone on how to take care of any of their chores or other obligations in The Dale the party is seen off by many. Most wishing you well and patting your backs, some scowling at the oddity of anyone leaving the Dale and the increased burden it puts on the town. Some of the children follow you to the last big hill and then watch you continue over it. The first Halflings to ever leave The Dale.
Your first several hours of traveling is filled with mixed emotions. Anxiety, excitement, pride and fear. As you travel over the rolling hills towards Rolling Rock Pass the mountains grow larger and larger dominating the sky ahead. You start to realize just how immense they truly are and how big the world around you really is. With the hills growing in size the closer you get to the mountains it often takes an hour or more of walking up them before you reach the top and see the next one stretched out before you. Cresting one of the hills you spook a herd of elk on the other side and they dash off into the protection of the trees. Off in the distance you can see tiny white specks of rams who appear to be on sheer cliff faces hoping about like they were on flat land.
That's what happens when you wear a helmet your whole life!
My house rules
Ed will tell the party of his plan to wildshape into a riding horse and it's limitations on duration and let them tell him when they are tired of walking and want him to wildshape. While in Halfling form he will keep an eye out for obvious medicinal herbs that would be easy and quick to collect. Other than that he would be enjoying the time outdoors with his friends.
edit: riding horse movement 60'
Esmee stays ranged slightly ahead of the others, using the skills her mentor taught her to stay alert and on course. She'll let Barmo and Eikis take turns with Ed's offer, she's used to the physical exertion.
Every now and then she'll smile quietly at her friends' chatter and find pleasure in their seeing some stuff farther away from the Dale for the first time. They've not yet gotten further than where her mentor took her when teaching her how to track and hunt, he took her a day's swift travel away a few times and she's even spent the night that far out.
The first time Eikis climbs onto Ed's horse-form back, it's a process with much uncertainty, a few smalls screams, and perhaps just a little bit of panicked mane-pulling as she tries desperately not to fall off. Riding horses is definitely something outside of Eikis' comfort zone, but with enough coaxing and the gentle pace set by Ed, she manages to acclimate to it after a few hours. She can already tell, however, just how sore her bottom is going to be at the end of the day.
Hmm... maybe I should look into building some sort of padded saddle to make the ride more comfortable, she thinks as they travel, eying her bedroll with more than a few thoughts.
As they travel, Eikis commands Vicious to keep watch with Esmee, protecting her and assisting with the scouting when possible.
Vicious Perception: 24
Reminder: Vicious has "Vigilant" and cannot be surprised
Eikis, excited at the prospect of traveling to somewhere new, keeps an eye out as well for anything that looks interesting. Mostly, however, she keeps her eye on the trail, trying to ensure that the party stays on the right path to the Rolling Rock Pass.
Eikis Perception: 14 + Guidance: 3
(edit: hey hey dice roller hey hey)
(Oh man, don't get me started on the dice roller. They have more people using the site than ever. More people playing PbP and they have a very very basic and integral part of the site broken. Very bad first impression!)
With Ekis keeping a look out and Vicious being vigilant the day passes and turns to evening without any incident. Aside from normal hill and forest dwelling animals no one sees anything troubling. By evening you are starting to get into low mountains covered by sparse forest. You realize that at your current rate of travel you won't get to the pass until late tomorrow afternoon at the earliest. It's getting to be time to find a good camping spot. (Someone with good survival can give me a survival check with advantage from others helping)
(I'm currently working on a system for finding herbs you'd need for potions. When I get it down I'll count today into the searching)
That's what happens when you wear a helmet your whole life!
My house rules
Ed survival: 14
You have a favored terrain type. Your proficiency bonus is doubled for proficient skills when you make an INT or WIS check related to it. While traveling for an hour or more in your chosen terrain, difficult terrain doesn’t slow your group’s travel, your group can’t become lost except by magical means, you remain alert to danger even when you are engaged in another activity, you can move stealthily at a normal pace (while alone), you find twice as much food while foraging, and while tracking creatures, you learn the exact number, sizes, and how long ago they passed through the area.
You are particularly familiar with one type of natural environment and are adept at traveling and surviving in such regions.
25
Ed starts looking for a spot but Esmee calls out and waves to the party. She find an idyllic spot that has natural cover on 3 sides but offers a good view of the surroundings from the front. There is a flat area just large enough for tents and a small fire.
That's what happens when you wear a helmet your whole life!
My house rules
Ed will start looking around for the camps firewood while keeping an eye out for medicinal herbs he might gather: survival check - 18
You have no problem finding fire wood and gather a good amount of herbs.
That's what happens when you wear a helmet your whole life!
My house rules
Ed will dig a small pit and line it with rocks. When he is done with that he will start a small campfire with the wood that was found using the produce flame cantrip
Eikis, after limping her way into the camp and setting up her tent and bedroll for the evening, would come out and watch the others preparing the camp out.
"Hmm... I can cook a good meal for us even over a campfire, but that's about as far as my skills go," she admits to the others helplessly, watching how competently they all seem to be able to handle setting up for a night in the woods. This is what I get for spending too much time in my workshop, Eikis thinks, wondering just where her life skills fled to as she observes Esmee and Ed working hard.
"I don't think I'll be much help here," she calls out. "But I want to take a quick look around the campsite and see if I can find anything for an idea I've been working on," she adds, tentatively stepping towards the forest. Knowing how bad she is at the entire wilderness survival bit, Eikis makes sure she can see the party's campfire at all times while she searches. Sweating a little, she murmurs under her breath to give herself a magical boost of confidence, then begins to scour the ground, looking for owl feathers. "What would the others do," she mutters under her breath, taking the butt-end of her yklaw and pushing through the leaves under the trees, searching.
Vicious is guarding Eikis as she looks: Perception: 19
Eikis is looking for owl feathers: Investigation: 16 + Guidance 2
Despite the odd terrain for what you usually look for Eikis, you get a good haul of supplies. Including a weathered partial skull of some animal that just had the eye sockets left. It seems to fit well over a hafling sized face.
With camp all set up everyone enjoys a meal and starts thinking about sleep.
Would you like to set up a watch?
(for the day everyone looses a ration and a gallon of water, 2 waterskins. we will remember, or put in notes, you have the empty skins for filling as needed)
That's what happens when you wear a helmet your whole life!
My house rules
((I put in other equipment notes waterskins 2 empty 2 full))
As everyone is settling in for the evening, Esmee volunteers for second watch. It's the harder shift as it's difficult to be woken up after a short rest and then stay wakeful. Her friends might be having a more difficult time with this trip and Esmee wants to start paying them back for saving her life.
"We should keep watch in shifts. I'll take second because it's the hardest and I can stay watchful when you guys might not."
Ed will take the first watch unless someone else wants it
perception:8
OOC: uh oh
DM stuff:
8 11 6 12 3
That's what happens when you wear a helmet your whole life!
My house rules
(I'm not going to wait for the rest of the watch rotation b/c Ed got the lucky 1 in 12 for a random encounter :) I will assume that Eikis leave Vicious to guard all night)
The night is cool but pleasant and the fire has burned low. Everyone has turned in for the night. Ed maybe letting his usual vigilance slip a bit knowing that Vicious is by his side. While Ed is momentarily distracted dropping another log onto the fire Vicious becomes immediately alert drawing Ed's attention. He turns around just in time to see a huge snake looming over the edge of boulders at the side of the camp. It's head poised to strike.
Initiative:
Barmo: 20
Ed: 22
Eikis: 20
Esmee: 8
Snake: 21
That's what happens when you wear a helmet your whole life!
My house rules
(So Eikis will have to move for Vicious and then ED for this round. Everyone else won't be able to act until awoken)
That's what happens when you wear a helmet your whole life!
My house rules
(I'm going to assume we haven't had our long rest yet...)
Vicious's low growl is something Eikis would recognize anywhere; she's pulled out of sleep almost instantly and reaching blindly for her crossbow before she's even aware of what's going on. The mechanical badger is snarling at the large snake threatening the camp, and Eikis reacts almost instictinvely, trying to shoot it:
Attack: 11 Damage: Unable to parse dice roll.
Vicious also leaps forward to grapple with the snake, trying to bring it low to the ground before it can hit anyone.Vicious Athletics for Grapple: 17(actually I think technically Eikis can't command Vicious to grapple... I just looked it over, his only actions are dodge, dash, disengage, hide, help, search, rend, or repair. I would prefer that Vicious try to grapple, but just in case the DM rules that he can't, alternative action block:)
Vicious also leaps forward to grapple with the snake, attempting to rend it with his jaws:
Attack: 22 Damage: 4