In addition to spotting the broken nests, Thellira sees a sparkle in the midst of one. Not surprising, given that ravens - like crows and magpies - liked to collect shiny things. Still...she looked closer and found three uncut gemstones.
This area warrants further investigation, as the trading route you were scouting out would have to cross over the river at some point. Maybe there was a shallow place to ford it, or a place to build a bridge.
Must be trained in the appropriate skill to attempt. Multiple PCs can make an attempt, but only the highest attempt and critical failures count.
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Perched on Dahros's shoulders, Ava begins loudly singing a Mountain Song to inspire Rolo! Unfortunately, it is more distracting than anything else.
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Thellira looks around for a narrow place to cross. She's happy to find a long vine snaking over that's hanging just out of reach, "I think I can pull this a little lower to help us get across safely."
She swings her hammer up, hoping to wrap the chain around the vine and pull it down so even Ava could reach it.
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"Enough with the bridges for me. How hard can it be to draw a map, amirite?"
Nali and Luna ball get to work. Sending LunaBall up into the sky for eagle eye vision, while Nali tries to transpose her words into some sort of suitable map of the terrain ahead.
Frustrated with her work she crumples up her papers and throws it into the fire.
"I give up. Back to watch duty for me."
Even without a bridge made, you can at least mark down the location for the follow-up team, and the ford will suffice until the bridge can be built. Scouring the area for tracks, Rolo finds no signs of large predators in the area, making this a great place for a caravan waypoint. There is even a clearing on the other side of the river that would make a good camping area for even large caravans. In all, this was exactly what you needed to find!
After several more days of travel, you move out of the mountain forest, cross the tree line, and approach the snow line. With out the cover from the trees, the freezing temperatures can quickly turn deadly. The winter clothing and spells you have on hand help you withstand the cold, but it is not pleasant. You approach a wide valley that's a clear pass over the mountain range.
At one point, you pass an area that Dahros points out as a dangerous buildup of snow on the slope. You have to pass by to continue through the valley. Dahros cautions you all to be careful not to brush against the snow pack, as it could cause an avalanche.
There was a tricky moment there, when Ava and Thellira nearly stumbled into the snowpack holding thousands of pounds of ice and snow in place above you, but you managed to get through. Marking the route carefully on your map, you also noted that the snow pack should be cleared regularly to avoid future avalanches for the caravans. You made it to the top of the treacherous slope, then looked out down the other side of the mountain pass. You had made it more than halfway through the mountains, with a traversable route - at least so far.
You spend a few days descending the heights, finally coming below the snow line once more. The runoff from the spring thaws has made a wide path in the mountain scree, forming a natural road at least as wide as a wagon. It seemed your luck in this exploration was holding. You came to a tall cliff that lined one side of your path, and looking up, you can see that it reaches above the surrounding trees. It is clear that this cliff would give you a great view of the surroundings, and greatly assist with scouting the terrain ahead of you.
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Thellira stretches out her shoulders as she eyes the cliff, "this will be interesting." She watches Ava bouncing around on Dahros's back, muttering to herself, "let me ride that donkey donkey. let me ride that donkey donkey."
She strides up to the rock and begins to climb.
Lunaball flew up past the climbers, reaching the top of the cliffs even as Dahros and Ava made it to the midpoint of their climb. The flying kitty ball looked around for a bit, then flew back down to Nali.
Yes, there is a good view for scouting. There are also wooly creatures up there with curling horns
Dahros crested the cliff's edge, just as Nali shouted up to him what Lunaball had reported. He saw the creatures, some kind of mountain goats, about 30 feet away. The goats looked at him, and Ava peeking over his shoulder, then went back to munching on the thin grass peeking through the snowmelt.
Below, Thellira slipped on the cliff, nearly knocking Rolo from his own hold. Rolo held on as Thellira fell the 15 feet to the ground below. He made it to the top beside Dahros and Ava, then lowered a rope to those below.
Looking out, those on the top of the cliff can see the foothills and forest spread out beneath them. There definitely seemed to be good pathways to explore.
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Rolo rolls his eyes at Dahros, then kneels at the end of the ledge to speak to Thellira.
"Thellira - are you okay? Maybe be a little more careful next time. On a positive note Dahros has offered you some climbing lessons anytime you like."
Rolo brings his hand up to his eyes to shield them from the sun. Clearly forgetting to wipe the dirt from his hands first he gets dirt and dust in his eyes, blinding him momentarily and causing him to take a moment to wipe them clean.
"Ugh. Anything notable up here?"
All the yelling back and forth apparently got the goats' goats. Several pawed at the ground and snorted their disapproval at the rowdiness.
This is a threat display, and is frequently attributed as territorial behavior.
You can try and calm the goats down with a Nature check.
Or you could leave.
Dahros - who shall forever more be known as the goat whisperer - calmed the goats with a soothing voice and gestures. The leader of the herd made a kid o bleating noise, and went back to cropping grass, though he kept an eye on you. The others also settled down and went back to their meals, though some moved further away from the interlopers. As long as you don't make any sudden movements or loud noises, the herd will probably leave you alone.
With the goats tamed, you can get a good look at your surroundings.
As before, each PC (on the cliff) can attempt a Trained action. I will use the highest check, but criticals (failures and successes) also count towards your results.
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Thellira sits up, turning to Nali, "is that Dahros up there bleating like a goat? Does he ... think ... he's a goat?" She walks over and grabs the rope, "let me see if I can make it up now."
As she struggles to lift herself, Ava calls down, pointing out a place they can clear out for a shelter. She wanders over with Nali and gets to work.
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Even though Dahros tossed down a second rope, Nali ignores it and continues to stay on the lower levels. Working with Ava, they try to clear an overhang, to make for a good camp for when the upper folk decide to come back down.
Nali tries to push some of the heavier rocks and kindling out of the way, but her arms don't want to work. "Look see? Tired myself out trying to climb when I shouldn't have. Maybe one day my magic will be able to help me in times like this, or maybe I will eventually remember why I left living like this in the first place. Oh how I miss 4 walls and a roof."
The camp site was not needed, as it was still only midday. And a good thing, too, as Nali broke a nail and gave up trying to clear off all the brush. You continued your trek, making good time with the sketches you gleaned from the cliff tops. It was mid-afternoon when you saw a large, shaggy wolf move out from the brush at the side of the trail in front of you. It spoke in a raspy voice.
"Hail travelers! What are you doing here, all alone in the mountains?"
You notice it appears to have its eyes fastened on Ava with great interest.
This is a dire warg, an intelligent beast. Most wargs are evil creatures, though some have been known to simply be hungry.
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"Greeting to you oh great dire warg. My Name is Nali. I am the leader of this expedition, and these are my allies. What might your name be? Now, us alone? We are 5 and you are but 1. Surely we are not all alone? But specifics to the side, we merely seek safe travel through these parts, and wish no ill will among you, or your pack, of which I am sure there are more around here somewhere. Here, let me share some of our food with you, as a sign of good measure, and we will be on our way"
The warg pulled its teeth back in what might be a smile or a silent snarl. Either way, long teeth glinted in the sunlight at Nali.
"Dried fruit and grains? What do you take me for, an elf? Even dried meat is not good for one such as I. Still, your offer does you credit. My name is Odvar, and my pack controls these foothills. What is the purpose of your expedition. Few just travel through these parts, and it has been many moons since we had halflings!"
Ava's furious shouting offset the "less than damaging" nature of her spell, and the warg, who was already on edge, snarled and moved to attack. From the woods around you, a handful of normal wolves - likely the warg's pack - moved in to surround you. Ava managed to get her cast off, but the warg simply shook off the spell, though it looked confused as to the spell's effect.
knockdown
knockdown
Ava's spell set off a flurry of activity as Dahros smashed his warhammer into the ground at the warg's feet. Thellira's blow went wide as Rolo psyched himself up for battle. Two of the wolves charged at Ava, while another two and the warg ganged up on Thellira. Ava was knocked to the ground with the gnashing of jaws, and she cried out in pain as the second wolf savaged her belly. Thellira was also ganged up on, with one of the wolves savaging her leg, knocking her to the ground so the others had an easier time of it. The warg smiled as it noticed the body go limp, then lashed out at Dahros, it's teeth snapping at thin air as the man dodged aside.
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"Well this escalated quickly!"
Nali steps to the side and lets a wave of negative energy beam from her arms.
Tendrils of darkness curl out from your fingertips and race through the air. You deal 2d4 negative damage and 1 persistent bleed damage to living creatures in the line. Each living creature in the line must attempt a Fortitude save.
DC 19 fort
Critical Success The creature is unaffected.
Success The creature takes half the negative damage and no persistent bleed damage.
Failure The creature takes full damage.
Critical Failure The creature takes double negative damage and double persistent bleed damage.