Valley of the Shrines (Inactive)

Game Master Grimmy

Jeb listens intently while the others speak. It wasn't that complicated of a situation. Take on the wilderness in a smaller group and through possible hostile territory; or travel with a larger contingent of strength farther out of the way and for the purpose of not being allowed to learn of some truths. It was an easy choice to make.

"I'm with Lucia and Tarvelin on this one. We should be able to make it to the shrines all right and in only a few days. Then we can investigate and be back to Bard's Gate in before we would if we were to go with the Lyreguard. Also, I don't fully trust in the Lieutenant or the Sheriff now that I've heard about this."

Wow three to one so far!

"Well, it seems this is settled, we will be taking our original route. Any ideas on how to break the news? I'm all for just strolling out, if that's our only option."

The layout of the citadel would definitely allow for such an exit with a diplomacy or bluff role to act natural at the gates and a little luck you don't bump into anyone important on the way there.

"Let us tell them we need a more direct path due to the loaming danger around our goal. They deserve that much of the truth, because if we just disappeared they could think were up to something unfavorable. And I would rather not have these troops hunting us down." Ares finishes putting on his gear and waits to see the groups choice.

"Agreed, we should leave immediately."

With Lucia's blessing Ares notifies the Sherif of Waymarch and the Lieutenant of the Lyreguard that the group intends to press on their original course.

They seem a little bit dismayed but they don't argue.

The party is still fed a good breakfast.

There is one more surprise in store for all. Wilfort Spindlewaithe announces that he is going to stay on as a stable hand. It seems his curiosity about the magnificent Griffons has not been sated!

From the rooms you had a view to the North-West where you could just make out the Azor River across 4 miles of hills and at least another 4 miles of open plains dotted with small copses of trees.

A river always goes a long way to negate the uncertainty of travel in the trackless wilds, but you have been warned away from this particular river. How much weight will you give these warnings? Were they given with your safety in mind, or in hopes of slowing your progress?

Apart from following the river, there is the Due-North course.

According to your map there is about 9 miles of hilly terrain North of the Citadel before the open expanse of the Lyre Valley proper. Once there, it looks like a 6 mile North-West trek to the wood where the ancient path to the Shrines is said to begin.

That actually sounds like a good route.

That way will need survival checks to avoid getting lost.

"So then, who will be leading the way? Not me I hope, we'd be lost in less than an hour!" Lucia says with a chuckle.

Can we take 10 on the Survival check?

-Posted with Wayfinder

Yeah you can take ten.

"I am not that good with the whole outdoorsey thing myself" She says once again having to endure seeing the worst side of people. Well most people

"Keep following me, I'm not going to let us get lost as this is too important to my brother and me."

Survival: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20 +1 More to Track

Andrek takes the lead once again, using the map to guide his travels.

Determining true North is a simple enough thing for any trained tracker, but finding the path of least resistance without getting lost is another thing altogether. Andrek proves to be more then up to the task. Even so, the group picks through the difficult hills at a rate of only one mile per hour.

By 2 o'clock in the afternoon the party can see the Lyre Valley opening before them after what looks to be one more hour of trudging through hills.

Andrek turns to the others after a long day of traveling through the hills, "Almost there, maybe another hour or so. It seems like we haven't made much progress, but the way we went was about the only way to get through this hills without flying. I wish we could have gotten some of those griffons to fly us there!"

Time to break camp or roll Con checks for forced march!

"Good work Andrek, you always lead us true." Ares pats him on the shoulder as he compliments him. Then looks to the group and sees some of there tired eyes and comments, "Though there is a difference between haste and recklessness. I think we shouldn't push ourselves just yet since were on a quick path, since we aren't entirely sure what is waiting for us. If you disagree please speak up and let me know if any of you need water though I am fresh out of sweet cakes." He smirks to the Halfling. Then looks to Lucia for her orders.

"I say we set up camp, we could all use the rest I'm sure." Lucia says, nodding to Ares.

" Don't remind me those sweet cakes were amazing!" She says as she sits down looking at the others. She flips out her bedroll and than her blanket in a nice spot and looks at the others.

"I would of like some better transportation too, I mean look at my feet" She pulled off a boot and showed her sore little foot."I mean I know I am a halfling but still my feet feel like hot lead"

There are still plenty of daylight hours, but marching more then 8 hours in a day requires Con checks to avoid fatigue.

By the time you camp long enough to make a difference, you will either have to enter the valley at night or just spend the night here at the edge of the hills.

Andrek searches for the best place to make camp in the hills. Take 10 for survival 17

"I think we can make another 5 miles before we really have to rest, but if that's what you want to do, we should just stay here for the night. You city-folk sure aren't used to a healthy amount of exercise, are you?"

Jeb sets his pack down to wait for the others' response.

Andrek finds a high hill with a view of anything approaching and a massive hollowed out tree stump with a circle of rocks. It bears a resemblance to a crenelated tower, complete with a bubbling stream of fresh water.

"Excellent Andrek! Simply excellent! This will be perfect area to set up camp. Fill your canteens up as well, we'll need the fresh water for our day of hiking tomorrow."

The afternoon and the long night pass without incident. The little hilltop is as peaceful as can be.

Bit of luck on the random encounter tables ;)

Being so close to the shrine is making Tarvelin restless. He's the first one up and starts getting his gear together early. He puts on his chainmail armor and gets his greataxe ready to be drawn.

She unfurls her self from a ball and slips back on her weapons and than stretches. She looks at the others and groans."Damn how come I am one of the first ones up I mean who is gonna make breakfast" She says as she than puts on her boots slightly grumpy.

The cleric gives a grand yawn and comments to the halflings question, "From where were from the one that asks for it makes it." He gives his smile and moves a little away from the group and does his daily prayer.

"Yeah I would but I am not a good cook, I would probably end up making you all sick instead of filling your bellies" she says as she goes through a series of stretches.

Jeb gets up at dawn and goes foraging/hunting for breakfast.

Take 10 on Survival for 17

As the others are talking, Jeb climbs back up the hill with a couple of rabbits and a small bag full of berries. "Anyone hungry for roast rabbit? If we put them on now, they'll be done right before we're ready to head out."

"Sounds great Jeb, hopefully we make decent headway today." Lucia says, rolling over to face the group.

By 9AM the party is stepping down out of the hills onto the green carpet of the Lyre Valley. Six miles to the North-West lies the edge of the wood where the ancient path of the pilgrims is said to begin. The going is easy and certain. You should reach the rim of the wood by noon.

Enter the wood?

"The path is our route, yes?" Tarvelin readjusts his backpack.

"Well, into the woods I guess, or are we having second thoughts about this route?"Nature check plz lol

"yes lets go into the spooky woods, maybe we can meet a nice old lady with some awesome food, who will than try to cast magics on us and eat us herself," She pauses as she giggles.'Ooo or maybe a werewolf come to greet us as a human than eat us alive!"She than walks towards the woods.

"Come on guys, what ever is in there you guys can handle it, I know I have seen you do it with my own eyes"She says looking at them ready to help them if need be.

As the party enters the wood...

Stealth: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20

Party Perception:
Jeb: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
Andrek: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27
Lucia: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14
Priscilla: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16
Ares: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
Tarvelin: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17

Andrek spots a spider ambush!

Move your marching order how you want it.

Battle Map

I changed it up a little, assuming we're travelling from topright to bottomleft, if anything looks off feel free to change it. Just wanted the general "party role" to be represented.

Looks good to me.

I believe it looks good

I do too.

Ok!

Party Initiative:

Jeb: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20
Andrek: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20
Lucia: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13
Tarvelin: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11
Priscilla: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10
Ares: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18

Edit: Fixed!

Surprise Round:
Andrek <<<<
Spiders

Go Andrek

Grimmy, I think you used our perception modifiers for out initiative rolls.

By my math, (and I might not have all the information) here's what I think it should look like.
Jeb: (17) + 3 = 20
Andrek: (17) + 3 = 20
Lucia: (4) + 9 = 13
Tarvelin: (10) + 1 = 11
Priscilla: (1) + 9 = 10
Ares: (17) + 1 = 18

Andrek will ready an attack and call out the ambush if he is still first or otherwise wait to see what happens!