Agreed.

Yes definitely, it's hard being idle.

 As mentioned, Oakhurst is about 25 miles away total.  As you can see from the map (I have also put it on the campaign page) when (if) you start nearing the mountains and the forest, the terrain will change a bit BUT as you can also see, the New Road might also be found.

You all could carry on the road towards Thundertree and head north on the New Road.  You could head straight north through the grasslands etc but navigating your way there.  You could even do a bit of both.  To the west there is also an old cart trail (this is all knowledge you have because Adathar gave you a map).  Each option presents its own dangers, benefits, and disadvantages.  

First things first, decide on what you'd like to do (as of now, I have you striking out across the hills and grasslands - that's what I think I understood from the above - is that right?).  Then, I will need a marching order from you.  You know which way is north but who is leading?  Who is at the back of the group?  What does everyone wish to do whilst travelling?

Krom stands up after the group's short rest, "I reckon' we should be gettin' a move on. I say we just follow the road to Oakhurst to be safe an' not get lost." He hefts his backpack onto his back and picks up his warhammer resting it on his shoulder as he carries it.

(OOC: for marching order, Krom will take up the rear guard regardless if in single file or in pairs.)

Ithelion nods to Krom, "I will defer to your greater experience in these matters. Do you think we will still make it there today? Road should be faster, in theory"

Ooc: marching order: Middle, if there is one. Elosa ahead looking for anything that's not ac rock or tree, and bigger than a rabbit...or look for threats, if that's more natural.

“Might be better to stay off the roads, and avoid being seen first.” Daemyar can lead, if no one wants to. Otherwise he’ll be second. He’s watching for trouble.

"Hmmmm. One for the road, one for the direct route, and one abstains. I guess it's down to Lorell and Garnet...."

Lorell looks around waiting for the group to come up with decision, he is just happy to be out of the pit. 

[OOC: I can be at the back, also, I'm impartial on what route we take.] 

[The road is quicker but it winds around a bit, so it will add time to your journey.  You likely wouldn't have made it in one day anyways, even if you were travelling through the hills and badlands. You're looking at about a day and a half of travel, assuming normal speed and on the road.  The road itself is well-maintained and well-travelled.  It's likely you'll at least pass some other people if you choose this route (it doesn't mean they're enemies or anything).  We'll wait for Garnet and see what she thinks.  Otherwise, if you can't decide amicably, you might have to roll for it!]

 **edit**SORRY!

The winding shape on the map is in fact, Neverwinter River, NOT a road.  This does a couple things: first, it will take you longer to get to the New Road and to your destination.  You can choose to follow the river one way or the other until you meet up with a trail or a river crossing or bridge.  The New Road is in decent shape and fairly well-travelled.  You would expect to meet a couple of fellow travellers on the road if you choose the road.  You'll all still need to decide.

Garnet secures her shield to her arm and adjusts her pack prepared to set out ."Well it seems the road it is. If we follow the river west it will take us to Neverwinter. Then we can take the road from there to Oakhurst."

( Garnet can go first unless someone else would like to.That is a river right not a road?)

oooooooops!  My bad guys it IS a river - Neverwinter River, in fact.  (duh! the key is right there).  Okay, so in this case assume the New Road extends past Thundertree.  There are several places to fjord the river but none in your immediate vicinity.

Sorry about this everyone!  

@garnet - if you follow it east, it will take you towards Thundertree, west towards Neverwinter.

If you stay following the river, it will take you about 3 or 4 hours to reach the New Road near Thundertree.  

[[ OK, then follow the river until we can cross it, then travel north or northeast to meet the yellow brick road? So long as we don't go West, we will hit the road... ]]

Marching Order

As you set off to the east, following the winding Neverwinter River, the day becomes sunny with little cloudcover. The vegetation at times near the river becomes impassable so you have to head up the embankments at times, which hampers your travel.  There is a lot of different flora and fauna in the area, small game, lots of birds, and a few other sounds of movement in the brush - though you don't see anything.

Daemyar and Garnet, both roll perception OR survival

Lorell and Ithelion - what are you doing?  (Ithelion you can roll Elosa's perception with advantage please)

Other Activities While Travelling:

Krom roll perception

Elosa (Perception, Adv): 17

Ithelion would split her time between trying to make or remember a map (to be sketched at breaks), and looking out for danger (including asking Elosa what she's seen (if in range); Very occasionally she would stop, and have a look through her eyes, but that would only be when Elosa reacts to something, or Ithelion sees something about which she is curious).

Edit: Elosa might also help in the map making process, birds-eye view and all...

Since Daeymar is in the lead Garnet will navigate. Try to keep us from getting lost.

Survival: 16

@ithelion - you and your familiar share a telepathic bond within 100 feet.  Elosa will look out for anything dangerous.  If you look through Elosa's eyes, then you enter a trance and don't move.  As for the map, you have an overview of the area from Adathar but you can make a detailed one, if you wish.  Roll a dexterity check.

@ithelion - you and your familiar share a telepathic bond within 100 feet.  Elosa will look out for anything dangerous.  If you look through Elosa's eyes, then you enter a trance and don't move.  As for the map, you have an overview of the area from Adathar but you can make a detailed one, if you wish.  Roll a dexterity check.

Makes sense, that's why I said she'd only do it very occasionally, and when she effectively has her "eyes closed", she would be forced to stop...I'd do it more often, but fear it would slow everyone down too much.

Dex: 23

[[ ooc: Anyone else seeing a lot of 1's and 20's recently? ]]

Re: Map, perhaps she just takes a copy when she gets a chance (evening?), and just makes some annotations about what she saw (land marks, distances/times, animals, possible crossings etc).

@Ithelion: during these early hours of the journey, your eye is a magnet for fine detail; your notes and scribbling that you will use later to recreate a very detailed map would rival any actual map-maker.  You are even dextrous enough to scribble and sketch whilst walking.

[OOC: there was some grumbling I read on one of the forums bug posts about a spate of extremes when rolling.  the dice is trying to simulate randomness though it's debatable whether or not that can be achieved.  if i do ten random rolls you can see whether or not it holds true.  i'm excited to see how the "my dice" feature works though - it looks really cool! ]

Just for fun: 

Ithelion makes a mental note to buy more paper when she gets to the next town.

[[ ooc: re dice...it has been pretty strange for me in the last 24 hours...probably 4 20's and a few 1's in not that many rolls ]]

Daemyar rolls perception 5