Varic turns to the group and says, "Good to hear! Lets be off." With that, he returns to the carriage. As you all head out of the city, many emotions come to the surface once the gates close behind. For some it may be fear for leaving on your first real adventure, worry for not knowing what lies on the path ahead, determination to ensure your path leads to victory, or excitement for what lies on the road ahead. You all set off on a steady pace with the carriage behind you and the bright sun of the morning.

I would like whoever is leading to make a Survival check and whoever is actively watching the road and skies to make a Perception check. If two players would like to assist with each task, you can either do two separate checks or one check with advantage. Going forward this will be the standard and I will not always allow a third check to be made (if the circumstance calls for it I will).

Celia will help with any perception check made

(I can assist someone to make a perception check or do it myself. Just let me know!) 

Tikak is one of those who feels both excitement, determination, and anxiety. He is tremendously excited to be setting off, but at the same time, this is the first time he's been off on his own... ever.  "I can prove myself.  I can do this.  Let's go." No one but Af can hear this moment of minor anxiety.

Rianath swings up into the saddle of his horse, turning to head out to the front of the group. "O'course! Maybe you'll find ya like ridin' on one more'n the other." He shoots Tikak a wink, then urges his horse to move just a little faster, excitement to be started on his first real journey outside of the city coursing like blood through his veins.

(Rianath has no problem leading, he is quite at home in the outdoors. Survival check: 17 )

I follow behind Rianath. I see Rianath scan the trail and I ride along side him to assist. Survival 8

Rianath and Af scout ahead and feel very confident about the path chosen to travel to the Crystalsands Tundra.

(Celia, let's do the Perception together.  You might be able to use your pseudodragon, because they're dope at perception) (Edit: Sorry for overexplaining.  I'm sure you know what you're doing and I apologize ha)

Perception 5

(Y'all, seriously, Tikak has godlike stats, but I can't roll anything higher than a five.  That's two 1's in a row.  Definitely fits in with his ADHD! haha)

(Did you roll with advantage? I'm not able to see the roll for some reason)

I rolled just once but I'll roll again just so we can continue! 23 perception

You all begin the first day of your journey through the Flotket Alps, navigating the path to Palebank Village and watching for any signs of trouble. While the mountains can be dangerous, the Glassblades have spent a lot of time and resources to ensure the area directly around Uthodurn is secure for travelers. The ride down into the valley between the larger peaks of the Alps is freezing but the view is beautiful. Four or so hours into your journey and you start to see the lower peaks of the mountains and for those that are local, you know the tundra isn't too far out.

(I’ll leave time for conversations, if everyone wants to move forward I will do so)

Continuing on the journey, Tikak, you notice a few larger birds flying overhead. They seem to be keeping their distance and after watching them for a bit you notice them fly off, only to return a while later. From what you can tell they seem to be watching and possibly tracking the group.

"Hey!  Look at those birds!  They're pretty cool, right?  They must be pretty smart, because they are following us!"  Tikak is having a great time riding, though he is a bit cold.  Periodically, he hops off the horse and runs a little while, largely keeping up with the horses, but eventually he gets tired.  

Celia looks up to the birds, "Odd... how long have they been following us?"

Silently, she ask Echo to turn invisible and fly up to the birds to get a better look at what they are.

" I dunno, it's been a little while.  I first saw them the second time I ran, and then they disappeared, and then I saw them again the third time I ran, and then they disappeared, and now they're back!"

(If you're paying attention to Tikak's shenanigans, it's been about an hour at least).

Rianath frowns, looking up from the trail ahead at Tikak's comments. "Birds?"

Celia, as your sprite makes it within distance to get a good look at the birds, she recognizes the four birds as being Griffons.

(I know I can link the stats of monsters but I choose not to and also ask that you don’t look up the monsters (honor system) unless you think your character would know about them)

"Griffons," Celia says as she orders Echo to come back, "I'm not sure if they're going to attack or not, but if they've been following us I would say it isn't good."

"Griffins? Does anybody know anything about griffins?" I ask the others and also to Varic. I try to remember if I learned about griffins in my studies at the chantry. I start to copy pace of the carriage and keep close by the traveling citizens. 

Varic is in the cart but if you pull around to ask him he says, "Ahh yes, I wouldn't worry too much, they're mostly interested in the horses. If they do attack I'm sure you can take them," he says with a wink and a smile.

"But I like the horses.  We just made friends!  They better stay away!"  Tikak says, but then he starts thinking about catching griffons and using them as mounts instead.  That could be nice.