Hour 1
Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17 -> Elwin (Low-light vision) (Copied down from post for ease)
Hour 2
-> Elwin (Low-light vision)
Hour 3
-> Elwin (Low-light vision)
Hour 4
-> Elwin (Low-light vision)
As your watch goes on, you can hear the presence of what you presume are normal night forest activity as the animals that would normally hunt this area regain their nerve after the noise of the earlier battle. Or perhaps Yurbin's singing chased them off...
Speaking of the doughty dwarf, about halfway through your watch, Eildrim seems relieved to go and awaken Yurbin for his turn at watch. For the duration of his watch, he alternates between some quieter calisthenics away from the sleepers or marching back and forth to keep himself awake. During the last hour of your watch, there's a bit of a commotion in the trees as a raccoon raids a nest that is apparently not as unoccupied as he might have expected. Other than that, your watch is uneventful.
Shortly after you start your watch, he salutes you before going to wake up the mage Gaelreth for his turn. Gaelreth is much less active - he takes a pass around the clearing every fifteen minutes or so, but spends the rest of the time in his book. He doesn't even look at either of you once he's awake. As the end of his watch (and yours) approaches, he begins to stir up the fire. When he moves to do so, Taleladar notices something...
The morning is crisp and clear and Gaelreth has built the fire up when you awaken, so any campfire cooks have something to work with.
Yurbin and his team eat a quick cold breakfast from their trail rations as they pack. Eildrim is slower, obsessing about his hair some more. Gaelreth, having had last watch, is quickly ready before sitting and meditating with his back to the rising sun.
Dolral quickly assembles his pack, hefts it onto his back, and disappears into the trees. Yurbin efficiently packs, but is not rushed about it, making small talk with your group about the temperature and the weather.
When Dolral reappears on the edge of the clearing, the warrior is ready and hoists his pack onto his shoulders, as well. Eildrim loads up, as well, before murmurring something to Gaelreth, who quickly stands and shoulders his relatively small bag.
A salute from Yurbin and a jaunty gesture of similar nature from Eildrim, and they are gone.
So we didn't see much on our original approach. I see no reason why it will be different now. I feel no reason as to avoid it now. He gets up and stretches a bit and grabs his pack, ready to travel towards the Keep.
"Lead the way," the elf motions for the rest of the group. "Ashia and I can follow, as you know where we are going. Just let me know once we get to where you have not been before, as I can take point and keep an eye out for the sorts objects that what to slice us, dice us, and make us go splat."
-> For 1st hour of walking
"I will follow behind you guys."
-> Ashia's 1st hour check
-> Timber's 1st hour check
Lalandar is obviously feeling at ease as he walks along, not watching out very well. When we get to the gate, I'm curious if you can detect a trap there. We noticed that all the travel seemed to stay towards the edge.
Brother, always so curious She is doing a much better job, though limited by her sight, to watch what's going on around her.
Tyhal nods, "Watching behind can be as important or more so as watching ahead. I can take point."
"I will travel in the middle, if that is acceptable."
As the party moves through the woods, their natural grace - and Ashia's unnatural connection to natural spaces - allow them to move through the undergrowth with minimum disturbance to the fauna that surrounds them.
Lalandar starts to share with the newcomers that they are nearly at their destination when Tyhal puts a hand out and a finger to his lips. Then everyone hears it - something large moving through the brush alongside the road. The sound approaches
When the group reaches the front gate, Elwin will stick to the side as instructed, but will try to see if anything stands out.
-> If found, disable trap
-> If needed (hope not, fingers crossed)
While walking, Ashia seems very quiet and not talkative except for some collection of words that spill out of her mouth just about every minute.
And when looking at her, her eyes keep moving all round the path and to its sides. Her head on the swivel as she is watching out for anything approaching.
Do we want to try the climb check again or enter the building and clear the basement like we planned before?
Rolling her eyes at her brother, Brother, I'd rather their not be anything behind us. Plus, that basement could have some key. Also, you're forgetting the fact that those goblins came from somewhere. Maybe we should see if we can find their origin?
Turning to his sister, You are probably right sister. Ok, let's take a look.
As Ashia walks along with the group, she reaches around and pulls her light crossbow from her pack, making sure it is ready to fire in a moment's notice.
She then steps off the path and tries to hide among the foliage as she moves. Sensing her tention, Timber jumps from her pack, where he was resting and darts off into the underbrush.
-> Timber's Movement
Elwin grabs his blade, and turns to Ashia to tell her to hide, but she was not beside him. He quickly looks around the group for her and realizes with a smile, that she is already hidden.
"I think we should take it slow. Maybe even let this thing pass." he whispers. "What do you guys think?"
Having to admit the human's preparations are wise, Rhasadinar moves to the left side of the road and readies herself to meet a potential threat.
Tyhal nods in response to Elwin's suggestion, "It does not sound like goblins to me, more likely an animal. A big one. My choice is to give it room and let it pass by."
That said, he readies his bow and confirms that his sword will slide from the sheath should it come to that. And waits.
Elwin moves to the left, inline with the rest of the group while using the rest of his above actions.
Ashia moves to the right as to be in the back line, while hiding.
The noises slow and stop as the siblings stumble. A very growl followed by a "huffing" sound can be heard. After a pause, the noises begin again, more slowly.
About ten feet from where Tyhal waits, a large ursine head emerges from the underbrush and focuses on the elf.
Its eyes pass over and focus on each member of the party. Only Ashia and her familiar escape its notice. It huffs once more, then roars, exposing an impressive array of teeth.
It moves across the path and into the undergrowth on the other side and disappears.
Ashia looks on from her hiding place, trying to keep a quiet as possible.
Obviously a little shaken by the close encounter, Talaledar cowers back into the trees around them.
Lalandar isn't as outwardly shaken but he does appear shocked at the size of the creature.
The party waits for the sounds to fade in the distance, then wait a little more. The creature does not appear to be returning.
Tyhal moves to where the bear disappeared after the sounds have faded, listening intently.
"I think it's gone. Let's keep going in case it returns."
Ashia suddenly appears behind Elwin with Timber in her arms. "That one seemed bigger then they normally are, but we should be fine. Just keep an eye out for its young. We don't want to be anywhere near them as the mom will defend them."
She looks over to Tyhal as he speaks, and then back to Elwin and continues in her soft voice, "I agree. Lets keep moving.
Elwin's eyes still large from the size of the bear, jumps slightly at the soft sound of Ashia's voice. Looking over at her as she talks, he turns to the group, "I agree. Lets go."
As they begin walking, Talaledar turns to the group, I agree with.. Ashia wasn't it? It shouldn't be a worry for us right now but just in case, let us make some space between us.
It doesn't take the six adventurers much longer until the shape of the keep becomes visible in the trees.
Talaledar tries her hardest to perceive anything new around the keep but she is squinting much worse than usual.
Obviously trying to make up for his mistakes earlier, Lalandar is very keen to be ready for what might be ahead.
The area around the keep is quiet. Some noise from animals - less than might be considered normal - is all you hear.