"Are we going to find a bridge over the Oakenrun River? Fording it seems all but impossible."

The nearest bridge would be in the hamlet of Dwim well upriver..going there will add almost a days march to the journey.

In daylight Layjiani should be able to look for a safe fording place.

You have 12 hours of night to look foward to...watches please

Eltariel will take the last watch to refresh her spells and commune with nature at the dawn.

"Perhaps in the morning we may be able to locate sufficient deadwood to construct a raft, or else find a point of the river we can ford and swim safely."

Eltariel assists Layjiani in setting up our camp so as not to attract much attention and keep us dry in case of rain.

"I'll take first watch."

Three 4-hour watches.
Gashelle and Holgur.
Avinar
Etariel and Aude.

Spellcasters get 8 hours of sleep. Every watch has someone with elfsight.

"Layjiani with Avinar? Agreed," Eltariel nods, "it makes the most sense that way." Although she is a little miffed she doesn't get time with her paramour.

Just a nudge <wink>: Aude, Avinar, Layjiani, can you update for your new gear? Aude, Eltariel can have enchanted your armour to +1 for 500gp, and likewise Layjiani your leather armour could be +1, and you have not yet amended for your +1 bow. Avinar, Mother's Kiss is now +1 for 1075gp.

No need to update my armor . thanks anyway

Layjiani's bow and attack mod were updated as was her AC, but I did miss changing it in the listing under her Gear, so thanks for that

Layjiani is quiet for most of her watch with Avinar, concentrating on the task at hand. But finally her impishness gets the better of her and she moves over to quietly ask her companion "So, it do seem you and our leader do be wanting to make 'the beast of two backs', yes? This one though do no understand why you have not yet been the man and taken her?"

Although she is genuinely curious, the gleam in her eye also shows that she is gently teasing as well.

Do you want us to roll our own perception rolls for situations like this Wellard?

The night passes by uneventfully..it seems even the Monsters want to keep dry and warm these days.
A continual light drizzle falls during the night...not enough to be anything more than a constant annyance to those keeping watch.A watery dawn sees you packing up camp...

Decisions needed...search for a fording place/boat or take the route to Dwim

"Well, let's have breakfast and then see if we can find a good way over this river. I've prepared a few spells that should be able to help us, but they won't get us across on their own. Should we split up so we can look both up and downstream, do you think?" Eltariel asks Layjiani.

"Unless we have some means of communication between the two, splitting saves us no time, and doubles our hazard.

"How long would it take your invisible crafters to help us assemble a bridge 'cross a hundred yards? Probably longer than a day," Gashelle muses to Etariel.

"I propose we head downriver till the midmorning to see if there might be a good narrows for crossing. If not, we head to Dvim, which takes us past the upriver banks. At very worst, we cross at Dvim, having lost an extra half day."

"Much longer - we have no tools they might use. I propose we just follow the river toward Dvim and see what we find, although I don't like the detour. Should we need to cross I can create a floating disk for gear we need to keep dry, and our horses can swim us across if we find a slow or narrow place to cross. If need be I have a few that can help us swim the gap, but not all of us."

Eltariel muses a moment, then laughs.

"Remember those caves and that waterfall? We surely have enough rope to string across the river, if we can anchor it on the far side, and that will make the crossing far easier. With a spell I can help our best swimmer get across, they anchor the rope, and the rest of us can follow. With a final spell and us drawing on the rope, the final person can cross and save our rope."

Downriver is back towards Tarsh and you know that the Oakenrun gets wider in that direction..its a usually lazy meandering waterway easily navigable but the storms of late have caused it to become a major obstacle.

Heading upriver, then, on the lookout for any place where the river looks navigable.

Before preparing her spells , Aude ask if you want her to ask for Water Walking

"Brilliant, Aude! That would help enormously!"

sounds like the problem she is solv..ed

With judicious application of the relevant spells and some hard work you manage to safely pass the river...nothing attacks you as you try to cross

"From here it seems we follow a trail north-east to the forest, then cut due north to the vale we want, passing some tors a few miles to the west of us as we go," Eltariel urges Moepyd forwards and away from the river.

Layjiani, on Shaft, rangers slightly ahead of the party, scouting ahead. She remains within eyesight but far enough that she can keep Shaft at a quieter walk, and the pair make little sound and the rogue in her enabled her to tie down or secure anything that would normally make noise on another's horse.

Keeping shaft to a walk though is a challanging task as the fiery mare continuously wishes to race ahead. Her attention divided somewhat, Layjiani still strives to keep a keen eye out for any dangers or things of interest. Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23 Stealth: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (17) + 11 = 28

You ride across the soggy flatlands towards the forest..the mud sucks at your horses feet slowing them to half speed as you plod through the mire.

Entering the woods it is slightly drier underfoot but water drips from every tree.

Keep going.

The woods are thick and you have to dismount in places to lead your mounts..4 hours march sees you less than halfway through the trees.

Layjiani ranges ahead...her eagle eyes wary for any change any movement out of place...sure enough she hears something large moving up ahead.

sorry split post had to go cook in the middle

Holding Shaft still by squeezing with her things, Layjiani readies her bow and an arrow, making sure the bow-string is dry and usable. She then readies her force shield using her new ring. Turning back to the others, she waves to gather their attention, signing to indicate that she hears something large and is moving forward to investigate.

Arrow nocked, she nudges Shaft forward in a slow walk, trying to make as little sound as possible.

Knowing she is not a particularly skilled rider, Eltariel carefully and slowly dismounts and stands ready.

Holgur also dismounts and draws his axe then steps forward away from his horse.

Oh, in case you needed any Ride checks for Layjiani's actions?:
1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27

That should do it. :) But next time please save those rolls for Combat, dice!

Aude also dismounts and quickly secures her horse to a nearby tree

It isnt easy being stealthy on a horse...Shafts foot comes down on a rotten branch which snaps under the horses weight...instantly the creature seems to be aware of your presence.

Two large javelins fly at Layjiani and Shaft

One sails over head the second however sinks into Shafts forequarters seriously wounding the beast(11 damage.

A bellow goes up from the creature, a bellow echoed by a second creature which you can now hear crashing towards you

Gashelle immediately spurs her mount on, casting animalistic power on herself.

Eltariel casts mage armour on Avinar and then moves swiftly to flank, using her Woodland Stride to move unimpeded through the dense vegetation off the trail and (hopefully) gaining benefit from it's cover.

can you DMPC Avinar for a bit, RL busy

Feeling terrible and foolish for placing her mare in danger, Layjiani leaps off the saddle, turning the horse's head and giving it a slap on the rump to send it off as she does.

The ranger then goes down to one knee on the trail, her arrow set to fly at whatever comes charging out.

Attack roll when ready, using Deadly Aim. 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20

1d8 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

Surprise round spent dismounting for most off you...Gashelle spurs forward and Layjiani slips safely to the ground from a rearing Shaft.

Round 1

Aude 18
Avinar 17
Holgur 15
Eltariel 10
Layjiani 8
Enemy 7
Gashelle 6

Holgur wishes he knew what they were facing. But the fact that they had been attacked was enough to spur him forward. He moves toward the enemy and hefts his axe.

If he can close and attack in one round he will do so. Otherwise he uses his movement to catch up with Gashelle and protect her flank.

If he can attack this round(uses two points for power attack):
1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22

Damage if it hits
1d12 + 14 ⇒ (9) + 14 = 23

Eltariel can only advance under cover as stated until she can actually see what we are fighting.

Stealth: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16
Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29

Holgur slips off his horse and pelts down the track at speed to keep pace with Gashelle.

The creature oppossing you breaks from cover and is revealed as an ettin. Two ogres flank it as it moves forward bellowing in crude orcish.

It throws two further javelins one at Gashelle and the other at Layjiani both of which miss..the ogres swing their clubs menacingly

Eltariel throws an entangle spell at the trio, aiming it well back from the ettin so that it will not impair the party but may slow down the ogres to give Gashelle and Holgur a chance to concentrate on it.

Reflex save DC14 or held by Strength 14

Gashelle smiles as she think to herself: Now, this is a fight!

Move action: She directs her stallion past the ogre on the right, avoiding the area of the entangle spell as best she can, and tumbles out of the saddle behind the ogre.

Gashelle is not sure if Ogres are able to take advantage of her closing with attacks of opportunity if they don't have weapons, or if they're entangled, but she'd rather come in at an angle --if possible-- to avoid finding out.

She attacks with the glaive, channelling shocking grasp as part of the attack action.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16
Attack: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (3) + 12 = 15, with an additional +2 if the ogre is chaotic.
Damage: 1d10 + 7 + 5d6 ⇒ (10) + 7 + (5, 3, 2, 4, 5) = 36, with an additional 2d6 ⇒ (5, 6) = 11 if the ogre is chaotic.

Waiting for Aude..Avinar will, as always, guard Eltariel unless she tells him otherwise.

Eltariels casting means her initiative falls to 7 on the next round.

Layjiani looses her arrow at the Ettin as soon as it moves into sight. If necessary, she moves back to make sure she is well out of the range of the giant's long arms and weapon.

Roll from previous post. If it's possible for her to move to flank, or get concealment or anything that will allow her to get her sneak attack bonus on any of the creatures, she will do that instead and fire at that target.
Sneak Dam:1d6 ⇒ 4

No action this round excepting moving forward to be ready to close with the fighters .

Holgur come up even with Layjiani who heads for the brush and fires a shot that grazes the ettins arm drawing blood..The creatures advance on him and, apart from one Ogre, easily evade the plants that attempt to ensnare them.

Gashelle tumbles from her mount evading the plants grasp as she moves behind the Ogre ..unfortunately she doesnt avoid the great club that smashes into her helmet(37 damage from a critical)In return however she annihilates the Ogre

Gashelle doesnt avoid the great club that smashes into her helmet (37 damage from a critical) In return however she annihilates the Ogre.

Whoa! Gashelle stumbles and turns to face the other two monsters. Her vision blurred and doubled, she asks "Which one's the ettin?" But it was absolutely worth it, she grins as she casts an unfocused glance at the dead form at her feet.

Which -? that blow must have addled her brains ...

"Aude, help Gashelle!"

Eltariel points to the snared ogre.

"It won't hold him long! Block him off, I'll help the others!" she tells Avinar and breaks cover toward the etin, careful to stay behind the shield Holgur provides. Weaving her hands in eldritch gestures she utters the words of power ...

Cast's Scorching Ray ...
Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17
Damage: 4d6 ⇒ (5, 2, 3, 4) = 14

A bolt of ruby fire sears from her fingertips into the Etin.

Round 2

Aude 18
Avinar 17
Holgur 15
Layjiani 8
Ettin and Ogre 7
Eltariel 7-
Gashelle 6

Waiting to see the state of Gashelle's health and that of the monsters after everybody else takes his or her shot at them...

Avinar bolts into action, he flurries into the ogre trapped in the weeds. He acts a bit desperate as he knows Eltariel goes to the Ettin without her bodyguard. He prays Gashelle is ok.

1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14

1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17

1d8 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16

1d8 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12

Attack: 14, 17 Damage: 16, 12

Holgur lets one of the beasts get close enought to him so that he spring at it unexpectedly. (He uses the full round to attack so he can cleave if it hits and there is another foe within 5 feet).

1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24

damage
1d12 + 14 ⇒ (8) + 14 = 22

cleave attack if it applies
1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11

Layjiani continues to try and move into a position where she cannot be seen by her foes (or at least the one she is aiming at), as she tries to hide in the brush is possible. Hide: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (18) + 11 = 29

Once in place, she unleashes an arrow with deadly aim upon one of the heads of the Ettin.
Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24

1d8 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6
Sneak: 1d6 ⇒ 1 if applicable

The salty tang of blood keeps her moving as Gashelle attacks the figure she hopes is the ettin, not bothering to attempt a flank on a creature with two heads. She doesn't dare try a blade of blood, not while she's as wounded as she is, but she'll attempt another shocking grasp.

Attack: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (15) + 12 = 27 plus 2 if the ettin is Chaotic.
Damage: 1d10 + 7 + 5d6 ⇒ (10) + 7 + (6, 2, 2, 4, 6) = 37 plus 2d6 ⇒ (2, 6) = 8 if the ettin is Chaotic.