The druid approaches Valor. "Friend, you look like you could use some..." As he says this he places his hand on the barbarian's shoulder then says in druidic: "Healing." Milo smiles and returns to his bedroll, where Lupe is laying, eyes alert. He runs his fingers through the wolf's fur absent-mindedly. "Healing." He whispers in druidic. "We'll take last watch. Early risers." The halfling yawns and stretches his arms as he lays backwards.
speak with animals: Milo sends a telepathic message to Lupe. 'Get some sleep. I'll wake you when it's our watch. One of us will hunt for breakfast while the other keeps watch."
The druid curls up next to the dire wolf and closes his eyes.
The dew that has formed in the early morning as made everything wet including you and your belongings. The sky is clear and the calm breeze chills the everyone enough to prompt your to build a fire to warm up and dry out. Food is hunted, cooked and eaten. Reviews of the harpie encounter from the night before are discussed. Now warm and with full stomachs, gear is collected and packed getting ready for the final trek to the forest. Before heading out, Valor goes to the edge of the ravine to see if there is evidence of other victims or a lair of some sort. He spots an alcove on the opposite wall of the ravine. In it, near the edge, a clear pile of bones and clothes can be seen. Beyond that, it’s too dark in there to see if anything else has been collected. Looking down his side of the ravine, he can see one harpie near the river’s edge. The other one must have rolled into the water and washed away. The only thing found here, Valor determines, is the memory of the encounter.
You all decide to leave for the forest. It’s actually quite a nice day, considering the full day you had yesterday and last night. The hike towards the forest brings more bushes and groupings of various deciduous trees, while the grasses thin and are now mainly seen in pockets rather than great expanses. Wildlife is seen from time to time, but everyone and everything is minding their own business. The temperature rises and for lunch you stop under a group of trees for shade to eat and relax. You arrive at the edge of the forest about 2 hours before sunset.
Facing the forest, with the sun at your backs, it is clear that by the lack of depth of visibility into the forest that the forest is very dense, even with the lowering sun’s light setting the forest alight. There is a clear entry way, however, as you are not the first to visit the forest. The entryway and path are clearly marked by many years of foot and cart traffic. The forrest is filled with evergreen trees that reach 100-200’ high. The floor is covered in ferns, ivy and thick bushes. The occasional broadleaf tree can be found in pockets where the sun is able to penetrate more intensely to the floor. However, these are small and thin trunked. From the description by JDOG, you know that the forest is roughly rectangular in shape with a path that takes two directions to get to the other side.
oog Looking at the “rough” map made in your minds from JDOG’s description, you gut the area up into 4 semi-equal quadrants. It will take you a day to go through each quadrant to clear the area. The path is easy to follow, but have to check all areas and anything off the path is difficult terrain making the searching and clearing more difficult. This includes breaks for food and a night’s sleep. See map on Discord. oog
How would you like to proceed? It will be dark in a couple of hours. Camp for the night or go forward?
Milo looks into the forest, feeling at home. He runs his fingers through Lupe's fur a few times before scratching him under the chin. "Lupe and I would be more comfortable sleeping in the forest." The druid doesn't need his spells to know that. "The road has been easy and there is still light left. Shall we continue into the forest?" He continues. "If we set up camp in the centre of the forest, we can clear it out section by section, and always return to the same camp. What do you guys think?" Lupe gives an approving bark.
While he waits for an answer, the halfling snaps a branch from a tree and removes the pines. He then begins refining its form, honing it into a walking stick with his woodcarver's tools.
The Half-Elf, clutching his quarterstaff for support, looks out at the forest looming before them, listening to the Druid's remarks before speaking up.
"Won't it be dark soon...? Seems like venturing into the forest there once the sun sets won't be a great experience in finding a suitable camp. I agree, however, on finding somewhere to be able to regroup after some searching, but I would rather find such a place in the morning; I'm afraid I'm not really a woodland creature like yourself and your..." Elrodin looks down his nose at Lupe, "... ahem... companion."
Elrodin ponders for a moment, leaning into his staff with more weight as he gazes into the forest.
After his surveying of the attack sight from the harpies and the trip by foot, Valor will enjoy a rest as the party stops to survey the forest and the entrance. After listening to his companions Valor will add:
"My grandfather always told me that you have better cover amongst the trees than out on the open land." Valor states. (true story) "The trees will provide cover for us from any wind or storm and most creatures will have as much trouble seeing us as we them, though fire will draw all things to it."
Looking around Valor will put his pack down, to relieve some encumbrance on him then move to the south a bit and walk up to the forest and look inside the best he can.
"I agree with Elrodin. I cant see worth a lick in the dark without a torch. Which'll just make me a target for whatever things live in there, and dont need a torch to see with." Donnar chimes in, eyeing the path before them.
"I'll do whatever the majority wants, if we're out voted. But thats my two cents." He finishes with a shrug, each hand resting on the hilts of his scimitars.
"Valor, your grandfather was indeed correct, the forest does provide cover, unless those that are hunting you are in the forest, their home... And you make a good point about drawing them out with a camp. I have little problems in the dark, but think the party as a whole might benefit from some light?"
The Half-Elf, seemingly bored, absentmindedly looks over his nails, while letting out a small yawn that he covers with the back of his hand.
"... though we should decide soon, as I said it will be dark before long..."
(ooc: Elrodin isn't a "nature" person, so he's not super confident about wandering into an unknown forest just as the sun sets, even though he can see pretty well in the dark, but will go with the majority rather than sit out here on his own :P)
After a brief pause to discuss the next steps, it is decides that all of you will enter the forest and get a close to the middle as possible before it gets too late. After just 100' along the trial in the forest, even with the setting sun shining in, the thickness of the forest becomes apparent. Until the sun sets (~2 hrs from when you enter the forest), the area is lightly obscured (i.e. dim light). For a good hour along the path before it divides and goes either direction around the center of the forest, you take in the beauty of the area, the tall evergreen trees, the damp, cool, and fresh smelling air. It feels good be out of the sun.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Other than Menttal, who must be only looking at his own feed, the rest of you have noticed fresh horse and cart tracks in the middle of the path you have been walking along. You chat about your observations and estimate that they must have come before you only a couple of hours earlier. Another 10 minutes of walking and a shape on the left side of the path, up ahead around 100' so. Another 50' and it's clear that it is an overturned cart. From where you are you can determine...
Survival and Perception checks Donnar Survival: 21 Percep: 11
Elrodin Survival: 15 Percep: 13
Menttal Survival: 12 Percep: 2
Milo Survival: 12 Percep: 15
Valor Survival: 11 Percep: 18
oog I'll continue in the next post. Don't want to piss off the dice roller gods oog
Everyone is able to determine that the cart on the side of the road, up ahead, is the same cart that made the tracks they noticed earlier. The tracks, normally in the middle of the path, swerve to the left and run off the path to source's final resting place. As you all take pause and look around, you can just make out the top half of a body lying on the ground in front of the cart. The other half is hidden by the cart. There is no sign of the horse that was believed to have been pulling the cart. Other than looks like some cargo from the cart lying on the ground around it, but not much, nothing else is immediately observed by anyone.
oog I forgot to mention, in dim light, perception checks are with disadvantage, except for Elrodin who has darkvision. But I'll give you this one. oog
Focusing on the cart and body as he approaches, Valor can clearly see that person on the ground on the opposite of the cart has arrows sticking out of his back. His face is bloodied and is motionless. His body is on its stomach, his right hand tucked into his chest and his left hand is out stretched and it looks like he is holding something. It's not clear what it is. There are empty canvas bags on the ground, next to the forest side of the cart.
"Hey! Careful now!" Donnar hisses in the best whisper he can muster, as Valor approaches the cart. He'll then reach over his shoulder with his left hand and grab hold of his shield.
Wielding it with that left hand he'll follow a few paces behind the barbarian, keeping his head on a swivel and resting his right hand on the hilt of a scimitar.
"Well? What can you see?" He whispers again, as he turns to be back to back with Valor and peers out into the surrounding trees. His head rotating from left to right and back again, in a sweeping fashion.
The Half-Elf remains silent, leaning once more on his staff near the rear of the group (ooc: stlll 50' from cart?), his eyes, seeing clearly in the dim light of the forest, scan the cart, the body, and then the bags. His gaze turns to the forest and trees immediately adjacent to the cart and the canvas bags, his vision piercing into the foliage for any signs of movement (Perc: 15). Regardless of anything, Elrodin feels a tingle up his spine, his Draconic blood beginning to raise his temperature, and arcane energies begin to pulsate just beneath the surface...
"Hey! Careful now!" Donnar hisses in the best whisper he can muster, as Valor approaches the cart. He'll then reach over his shoulder with his left hand and grab hold of his shield.
Wielding it with that left hand he'll follow a few paces behind the barbarian, keeping his head on a swivel and resting his right hand on the hilt of a scimitar.
"Well? What can you see?" He whispers again, as he turns to be back to back with Valor and peers out into the surrounding trees. His head rotating from left to right and back again, in a sweeping fashion.
Donnar's perception check while back-to-back with Valor as Valor approaches the cart and body.
The Half-Elf remains silent, leaning once more on his staff near the rear of the group (ooc: stlll 50' from cart?), his eyes, seeing clearly in the dim light of the forest, scan the cart, the body, and then the bags. His gaze turns to the forest and trees immediately adjacent to the cart and the canvas bags, his vision piercing into the foliage for any signs of movement (Perc: 15). Regardless of anything, Elrodin feels a tingle up his spine, his Draconic blood beginning to raise his temperature, and arcane energies begin to pulsate just beneath the surface...
Elrodin scans the area while Valor and Donnar move closer to the cart and body. (oog - yes, still 50' unless you moved)
DM roll... 20
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Milo
The druid approaches Valor. "Friend, you look like you could use some..." As he says this he places his hand on the barbarian's shoulder then says in druidic: "Healing." Milo smiles and returns to his bedroll, where Lupe is laying, eyes alert. He runs his fingers through the wolf's fur absent-mindedly. "Healing." He whispers in druidic. "We'll take last watch. Early risers." The halfling yawns and stretches his arms as he lays backwards.
speak with animals: Milo sends a telepathic message to Lupe. 'Get some sleep. I'll wake you when it's our watch. One of us will hunt for breakfast while the other keeps watch."
The druid curls up next to the dire wolf and closes his eyes.
cure wounds: Valor - 5 healing
cure wounds: Lupe - 11 healing
Milo regains 2 HP and all spell slots on long rest
The dew that has formed in the early morning as made everything wet including you and your belongings. The sky is clear and the calm breeze chills the everyone enough to prompt your to build a fire to warm up and dry out. Food is hunted, cooked and eaten. Reviews of the harpie encounter from the night before are discussed. Now warm and with full stomachs, gear is collected and packed getting ready for the final trek to the forest. Before heading out, Valor goes to the edge of the ravine to see if there is evidence of other victims or a lair of some sort. He spots an alcove on the opposite wall of the ravine. In it, near the edge, a clear pile of bones and clothes can be seen. Beyond that, it’s too dark in there to see if anything else has been collected. Looking down his side of the ravine, he can see one harpie near the river’s edge. The other one must have rolled into the water and washed away. The only thing found here, Valor determines, is the memory of the encounter.
You all decide to leave for the forest. It’s actually quite a nice day, considering the full day you had yesterday and last night. The hike towards the forest brings more bushes and groupings of various deciduous trees, while the grasses thin and are now mainly seen in pockets rather than great expanses. Wildlife is seen from time to time, but everyone and everything is minding their own business. The temperature rises and for lunch you stop under a group of trees for shade to eat and relax. You arrive at the edge of the forest about 2 hours before sunset.
Facing the forest, with the sun at your backs, it is clear that by the lack of depth of visibility into the forest that the forest is very dense, even with the lowering sun’s light setting the forest alight. There is a clear entry way, however, as you are not the first to visit the forest. The entryway and path are clearly marked by many years of foot and cart traffic. The forrest is filled with evergreen trees that reach 100-200’ high. The floor is covered in ferns, ivy and thick bushes. The occasional broadleaf tree can be found in pockets where the sun is able to penetrate more intensely to the floor. However, these are small and thin trunked. From the description by JDOG, you know that the forest is roughly rectangular in shape with a path that takes two directions to get to the other side.
oog
Looking at the “rough” map made in your minds from JDOG’s description, you gut the area up into 4 semi-equal quadrants. It will take you a day to go through each quadrant to clear the area. The path is easy to follow, but have to check all areas and anything off the path is difficult terrain making the searching and clearing more difficult. This includes breaks for food and a night’s sleep. See map on Discord.
oog
How would you like to proceed? It will be dark in a couple of hours. Camp for the night or go forward?
Milo
Daily check for Lupe.
Animal Handling: 11
Milo and Lupe
Milo looks into the forest, feeling at home. He runs his fingers through Lupe's fur a few times before scratching him under the chin. "Lupe and I would be more comfortable sleeping in the forest." The druid doesn't need his spells to know that. "The road has been easy and there is still light left. Shall we continue into the forest?" He continues. "If we set up camp in the centre of the forest, we can clear it out section by section, and always return to the same camp. What do you guys think?" Lupe gives an approving bark.
While he waits for an answer, the halfling snaps a branch from a tree and removes the pines. He then begins refining its form, honing it into a walking stick with his woodcarver's tools.
Elrodin
The Half-Elf, clutching his quarterstaff for support, looks out at the forest looming before them, listening to the Druid's remarks before speaking up.
"Won't it be dark soon...? Seems like venturing into the forest there once the sun sets won't be a great experience in finding a suitable camp. I agree, however, on finding somewhere to be able to regroup after some searching, but I would rather find such a place in the morning; I'm afraid I'm not really a woodland creature like yourself and your..." Elrodin looks down his nose at Lupe, "... ahem... companion."
Elrodin ponders for a moment, leaning into his staff with more weight as he gazes into the forest.
oog
Donnar, Valor, Menttal (are you back yet?), the party needs your input
oog
Valor
After his surveying of the attack sight from the harpies and the trip by foot, Valor will enjoy a rest as the party stops to survey the forest and the entrance. After listening to his companions Valor will add:
"My grandfather always told me that you have better cover amongst the trees than out on the open land." Valor states. (true story) "The trees will provide cover for us from any wind or storm and most creatures will have as much trouble seeing us as we them, though fire will draw all things to it."
Looking around Valor will put his pack down, to relieve some encumbrance on him then move to the south a bit and walk up to the forest and look inside the best he can.
"I agree with Elrodin. I cant see worth a lick in the dark without a torch. Which'll just make me a target for whatever things live in there, and dont need a torch to see with." Donnar chimes in, eyeing the path before them.
"I'll do whatever the majority wants, if we're out voted. But thats my two cents." He finishes with a shrug, each hand resting on the hilts of his scimitars.
Elrodin
"Valor, your grandfather was indeed correct, the forest does provide cover, unless those that are hunting you are in the forest, their home... And you make a good point about drawing them out with a camp. I have little problems in the dark, but think the party as a whole might benefit from some light?"
The Half-Elf, seemingly bored, absentmindedly looks over his nails, while letting out a small yawn that he covers with the back of his hand.
"... though we should decide soon, as I said it will be dark before long..."
(ooc: Elrodin isn't a "nature" person, so he's not super confident about wandering into an unknown forest just as the sun sets, even though he can see pretty well in the dark, but will go with the majority rather than sit out here on his own :P)
After a brief pause to discuss the next steps, it is decides that all of you will enter the forest and get a close to the middle as possible before it gets too late. After just 100' along the trial in the forest, even with the setting sun shining in, the thickness of the forest becomes apparent. Until the sun sets (~2 hrs from when you enter the forest), the area is lightly obscured (i.e. dim light). For a good hour along the path before it divides and goes either direction around the center of the forest, you take in the beauty of the area, the tall evergreen trees, the damp, cool, and fresh smelling air. It feels good be out of the sun.
Survival checks
Donnar
12
Elrodin
13
Menttal
4
Milo
14
Valor
5
oog
I'll continue in the next post. Don't want to piss off the dice roller gods
oog
Other than Menttal, who must be only looking at his own feed, the rest of you have noticed fresh horse and cart tracks in the middle of the path you have been walking along. You chat about your observations and estimate that they must have come before you only a couple of hours earlier. Another 10 minutes of walking and a shape on the left side of the path, up ahead around 100' so. Another 50' and it's clear that it is an overturned cart. From where you are you can determine...
Survival and Perception checks
Donnar
Survival: 21
Percep: 11
Elrodin
Survival: 15
Percep: 13
Menttal
Survival: 12
Percep: 2
Milo
Survival: 12
Percep: 15
Valor
Survival: 11
Percep: 18
oog
I'll continue in the next post. Don't want to piss off the dice roller gods
oog
Everyone is able to determine that the cart on the side of the road, up ahead, is the same cart that made the tracks they noticed earlier. The tracks, normally in the middle of the path, swerve to the left and run off the path to source's final resting place. As you all take pause and look around, you can just make out the top half of a body lying on the ground in front of the cart. The other half is hidden by the cart. There is no sign of the horse that was believed to have been pulling the cart. Other than looks like some cargo from the cart lying on the ground around it, but not much, nothing else is immediately observed by anyone.
What would y'all like to do?
Valor
Being the Rocket Scientist Valor is (wait...what is a rocket scientist? :P) Valor will approach to about 10 ft. of the cart and look around.
Perception: 19
oog
I forgot to mention, in dim light, perception checks are with disadvantage, except for Elrodin who has darkvision. But I'll give you this one.
oog
Focusing on the cart and body as he approaches, Valor can clearly see that person on the ground on the opposite of the cart has arrows sticking out of his back. His face is bloodied and is motionless. His body is on its stomach, his right hand tucked into his chest and his left hand is out stretched and it looks like he is holding something. It's not clear what it is. There are empty canvas bags on the ground, next to the forest side of the cart.
"Hey! Careful now!" Donnar hisses in the best whisper he can muster, as Valor approaches the cart. He'll then reach over his shoulder with his left hand and grab hold of his shield.
Wielding it with that left hand he'll follow a few paces behind the barbarian, keeping his head on a swivel and resting his right hand on the hilt of a scimitar.
"Well? What can you see?" He whispers again, as he turns to be back to back with Valor and peers out into the surrounding trees. His head rotating from left to right and back again, in a sweeping fashion.
Elrodin
The Half-Elf remains silent, leaning once more on his staff near the rear of the group (ooc: stlll 50' from cart?), his eyes, seeing clearly in the dim light of the forest, scan the cart, the body, and then the bags. His gaze turns to the forest and trees immediately adjacent to the cart and the canvas bags, his vision piercing into the foliage for any signs of movement (Perc: 15). Regardless of anything, Elrodin feels a tingle up his spine, his Draconic blood beginning to raise his temperature, and arcane energies begin to pulsate just beneath the surface...
Valor
Valor will approach the person on the ground. He will step on the small of the back of the lying person and take a closer look.
Donnar's perception check while back-to-back with Valor as Valor approaches the cart and body.
14
Donnar sees a lot of trees and bushes - all very still and quiet. Too much so.
Elrodin scans the area while Valor and Donnar move closer to the cart and body. (oog - yes, still 50' unless you moved)
DM roll...
20