Orisons (3): Create Water, Guidance, Resistance
1st (2+1): Bless, Command, Shield of Faith
The waiting is challenging. Perhaps a wager to kill time?
Hezar points to a stump feet away.
1 copper. Closest to the center of the stump wins?
[/ooc] Highest to hit I suppose is closest.[/ooc]
"No thank you Hezar, but while we wait mayhaps Belgrin could advise us regarding mines and such. You said you were a miner by trade, what kind of dangers could we face inside, aside from beasts?"
Finding no immediate takers Hezar drops his copper into his purse and takes a few shots anyhow. He finds target practice loosens him up and frees his mind.
Terrible. Calm yourself Hezar
He retrieves that arrows and repeats the excercise.
Feeling better he retrieves his arrows sits on the stump and takes the time to resharpen them.
Elur walks up, holding her head. Sorry I'm late. Decided to celebrate the job last night. But I'm ready to go now. She hitches her pack on her back and looks around at the rest of the group. Well, let's get a move on. What are we standing around for?
Duvall shakes his head and grins at Hezar and mounts up, eager to move out when the rest of his companions are ready.
Only a woman could show up last and then act as if she's waiting for everyone else.
"Yes, lets."
Opening his mouth to start a short lecture on mine safety, Belgrin stops on the in-breath when Elur interrupts, giving an exasperated glare for a moment before mounting up.
"The mine shouldn't be the biggest of our worries unless the ghouls have been tearin' it apart from the inside. Good Dwarven mines don't collapse without Dwarven say-so. Do keep yer heads down though. They're not all built for tall folk. Oh and one more thing: light's not always good down there, but if it isn't, don't go lightin' everything up at once. Let me eyes work without it first. Keep lights behind us, so the rear guard can see further than I. We handle this properly, we avoid ambushes each step of the way."
Pausing for a moment to consider the larger picture, he waves a hand dismissively and continues. "Once we arrive, I'll cover more as needed. Don't worry about it for now; just wait 'till we get there.
Hezar mounts up. Checks the map to be sure of where he is going.
Lets move. He leads the way towards the mind a brisk but safe pace for the horses, and the inexperienced riders.
Aidan and Alya wave as your group rides out of the courtyard. Farewell, friends! May Helm guide you to victory! Alya says nothing more, but smiles bravely in reassurance. The Helmite guards snap to attention and salute as you ride past their positions. A small crowd - mostly children, but some adults as well - have gathered to see what the commotion is all about. Just after sunrise, you ride out of the western gate, past Zazesspur's walls, and onto the trade road.
The day is temperate, and the sky clear. There is a fair bit of traffic on the road; several patrols of the local guard, traders, farmers headed into town to sell their wares make up the majority of your encounters. As you get further from town, the traffic thins considerably. All give you a wide berth; the guards have no doubt been advised as to your status, and other travelers tend to be suspicious of large, well-armed groups. To the south of you runs the Sulduskoon river; to the north, the foothills of the Starspire mountains. The foothills are said (by locals, as well as experienced adventurers) to have a number of promising locations for those seeking their fortune. From your location on the road you can see a number of paths heading north.
The total distance to your destination is about 140 miles. At an average pace, on your light horses, you should be able to cover about 40 miles in 8 hours today; riding for longer than 8 hours will result in endurance checks for your steeds. You're still about 20 miles away from the town of Marakir at that rate, so for overnight accommodations, you may be able to find an inn or a traveler's hostel along the road; or, you can try to find an appropriate camping site with a DC 12 survival check.
Hezar rides in silence, always watching the road for bandits and keeping an eye out for suitable camp sites as it gets close to the evening.
Signaling behind him for a brief halt, Hezar turns in his saddle.
Unless we think it wise to push on in the night and possibly harm the horses, I suggest we make camp. There is a suitable one that direction.
Hezar indicates the way, and waits for a decision to be made. His eyes return to the road, bow at the ready.
"Let's make camp. There's no need to kill our horses on this journey, after all."
Leaning over, Janiries would stroke the mane of her horse.
"Come on Cherry, lets get you an apple and some rest, shall we?"
"Lead the way, Hezar."
Duvall also is wary and keeps his crossbow loaded and ready at hand.
A rest will do us well. I'm not so used to riding, Elur says almost climbing off her horse. She stops, realizing what Hezar had said. With a grimace she asks, How far in that direction? Then with a shake of her head, Elur continues, Doesn't matter. Let's get to the camp site. I'll set up the fire. Elur breaks out in a grin and begins moving in the indicated direction without waiting for the others.
Hezar guides the party to a patch off of the road,
He quickly clears an area for a fire pit, and lets Elur work her magic. He then sets to making a basic shelter
After a meal of Trail Rations, Hezar speaks up, having said nothing all meal.
How shall we set up the watch? I can not see in the dark, I will volunteer to take the first watch while there is still a bit of light left.
You find a good place to camp about a quarter mile off the road, to the north. It is bounded to the north by an outcropping of rock, and to the sides by thickets of bush that would be very difficult to penetrate.
Did you want to make a watch schedule? It would help to know who is awake at what hour.... just FYI, at this time of year, daylight is roughly from 6am to 7pm - let's say you pulled over at 6pm or so. Selune is at about half strength tonight, so there's a fair bit of ambient light.
[ooc} Hezar first :)[/ooc]
Janiries breaks out the cooking pot and attempts to cook up something a little more palatable with the trail rations.
"We really should get some hunting done, a few rabbits, maybe some boars. Something a bit more palatable then some jerky at least."
Munching on her jerky, she'd continue.
"I'd suggest having two on watch at any one time and have longer shifts. Four hours or so on watch, which will give everyone some decent sleep. Just as a plan.. Hezar and Duvall on first watch, Belgrin and myself on second watch in the dead of night, then Landon, Ariael and Elur till daybreak."
A good idea to have two on watch. Perhaps someone with good nightvision can watch with me.
"I am an early riser, so I will take last watch if that is alright. I can commune with Helm and watch as well."
"Alright, Elur takes first watch with Hezar, Duvall takes last watch."
That is fine with me. Elur looks over at Hezar, giving a playful wink. I enjoy staying up with the fire.
Link here representing your campsite. I know it is beautiful; you're welcome. I'd like a general idea of where you are placed, as well as your horses. Not saying anything is going to happen, but the wilderness can be a dangerous place....
Each square is 5' - you can give me a coordinate (for example, the campfire is at K6) and I'll place you.
Poor horses! At 10' space each they're really sort of tucked in there.
Still need location data from Janiries, Duvall, Belgrin, Landon and Ariael. Thanks to Janiries for the schedule!
Belgrin lays out his bedroll for the night and produces his logbook to record his entries of late. been getting lazy, forgetting to make my daily entries. Woulda been sent home from the mines slackin' off like this back in the day...
I'm going to go ahead and place Duvall, Landon and Ariael as they haven't checked in so far. Not that I'm saying anything is going to happen...
1st watch ---> Hezar and Elur: perception rolls
Hezar - Perception 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23
Elur - Perception
LOL Elur you are entirely clueless about whats going on around you...
Landon will set up his tent in that area roughly and then take the time to lay a trip line with his rope farther out as an extra layer of defense
Elur spends most of her watch staring into the flames of the fire and trying to engage Hezar in conversation through several anecdotes.
pssst.
Hezar grabs Elur's attention from standing in the now dead fire pit and dancing like a flame herself.
Then quietly, Wolves out there, at least three. A couple of miles away still. Keep a sharp eye, perhaps restart that fire for us.
Elur stops her dance and stares around. Sure after hours of me trying to talk, you only have something to say because there're wolves about. Elur shakes her head and steps out of the fire pit. She sets it up with fresh firewood and kindling then snaps her fingers again. There's low hiss as the kindling springs alight and the flames spread.
Despite himself Hezar smiles.
A strange woman. Though there is a natural joy about her, that is a bit contagious.
I must keep focus on watch. The creatures of the forest have much better hearing than I. But if you wish to ride up front tomorrow I will be happy to talk some. Though I do not talk much in general.
Elur nods thoughtfully, the firelight playing across her features. You have yourself a deal.
"BLOOD-sucking!!...no feast....bleed for it, ye bastards..." Belgrin snaps upright, eyes still closed, mumbling, then falls back to sleep.
1st watch (Hezar and Elur) nothing further notable happens during your watch - the wolves have gone silent.
@ Janiries and Belgrin
Belgrin:
Janiries:
both opposing:
Wolf stealth check
@ Belgrin - you see a pair of yellow eyes watching you from k15. The wolves are close!
Hezar sleeps in just his winter blanket, near the fire. In his armor, quiver and handax at his side. Longspear with his pack 5 feet away.
Despite the apparent threat, the wolf of wolves come no closer. After several moments, the eyes disappear into the darkness and do not return. You do hear howling about 20 minutes later, perhaps a mile away, and to the east.
@ Janiries and Belgrin:
For everyone else, including the final watch, the evening passes quietly and morning comes. There are a few clouds in the sky, but no threat of rain or other inclement weather, from what you can tell.
Watching the wolves during the night carefully, Janiries gladly turns over the watch to the third shift, quickly getting into reverie after telling them about the wolves and the riders heading east.
-------------------------
Come morning, she'd stir into wakefullness and eat some of the trail rations, quickly getting to work clearing the camp up and performing her morning stretches/exercises.
"Lets get a move on, those villagers won't save themselves."
Elur takes a moment to wake. When she finally sits up, Elur spends a quieter hour in what seems to be intense meditation before finally standing. She quietly eats some rations, then begins cleaning up her site. By the time camp is cleaned up, Elur seems to be wide awake, smiling and joking like herself again.
Duvall rises early, takes watch, goes through his morning ritual of prayers and meditation, and then breaks his fast with something from his pack, and prepares to leave when everyone else is ready.
When its time for Landon's watch he rises easily and inspects his trip line for any signs of tampering. Content it remains undisturbed he allows the other two on watch time to prepare themselves mentally and spiritually before he does so himself. Mentally reciting the holy scriptures of Helm and then quietly whispering the oaths of his 'order' while kneeling, forehead against the guard of his down turned blade. Only upon completion of his morning ritual does he allow his blade to return to its sheath.