[Completed] - Crivit/Westward Ho! - 28 March, 1 VC

[Keehnelf]

This expedition departed from Vaul to explore to the West on March 28, 1 VC. It was led by Crivit, the priest known for attempting to convert the goblins to his faith, and its purpose was to explore in areas that had not been well-documented to the west of Vaul.

The members of the expedition were:

Crivit, male human
Constance, female human
Krysta, female human
Adrik, male dwarf

This expedition is now open--please indicate your initial direction of travel (assuming west, but need to be clear)!

[AleBelly]

"Souls for Veles! Westward we go!" cries Crivit.

[keal]

Adrik winces a bit due to the early morning shouting; he couldn't ever be considered an early riser, that was for sure, but he makes every effort to catch up to the much longer-legged humans. Even as the morning mists are burnt off, he maintains his guard as he stomps along behind everyone else, shield strapped to his left forearm and war hammer held firmly in his right. When others turn questioning glances toward him, he shrugs and grins sheepishly, stating, "You never know!"

[hedgeknight]

Krysta rises early and offers prayers to Pelor, Lord of the Sun as the gentle rays of first light break upon her face. She prays for guidance on her venture, and for safety for her new companions > Adrik, Crivit, and Constance. Lastly she asks for a healing spell, hoping she will not need use it today.

She washes her face and dresses for travel, and meets up with her companions, heading west to lands unknown. Excited to see something new, Krysta greets her companions warmly, walking alongside Constance, her hand close to her mace..."just in case," she offers, with a wink toward Adrik.

[Keehnelf]

March 29, 1 VC - 8:00am

The party travels due west from Vaul, pelted by a terrible rainstorm that makes navigation tricky and brings them closer to the southern mountains than they had planned. However, the party encounters no other resistance the entire day or during the night that follows, and by morning the rain has largely abated.

The party has traveled one hex west of Vaul. Please deduct one day's rations apiece.

[hedgeknight]

Krysta takes the opportunity of the rain to strip down completely and wash in the downpour > she loves a good storm almost as much as the sunshine. "After the rain, Pelor smiles upon us all," she says to her companions as she dresses again and shakes the water out of her hair.
She prays for the same spell of healing for the day and once again walks with Constance.

"Crivit, tell me about the faith of Veles > what drew you to his worship?"

One day's rations deducted (9 remain).

[keal]

Adrik harumphs throughout much of the storm, his long mustaches drooping even more beneath the weight of the rainfall. He sputters every now and again when too much causes the hairs to fall over the top of his lip, spraying water out in front of him. He is even more disturbed by the fact that one of the human women strips of everything and begins splashing about!

"Only a human," he mutters, shaking his head in disbelief as color rises to his face.

[Mister-Kent]

Constance presses a finger to her cheek. "Hm. Perhaps I should have disrobed as well! Eh heh hee!" she cackles. "What a lovely rain shower, but the sunlight afterwards is nice as wel!" She continues walking alongside Krysta, using the ten-foot-pole as a walking stick.

1 ration deducted

[Keehnelf]

Will you continue moving directly west, or change course?

[hedgeknight]

"Let's move away from the mountains, my friends, and re-establish our original westerly course," Krysta says, trying to get her bearings away from Vaul.

[AleBelly]

Krysta takes the opportunity of the rain to strip down completely and wash in the downpour > she loves a good storm almost as much as the sunshine. "After the rain, Pelor smiles upon us all," she says to her companions as she dresses again and shakes the water out of her hair.
She prays for the same spell of healing for the day and once again walks with Constance.

"Crivit, tell me about the faith of Veles > what drew you to his worship?"

One day's rations deducted (9 remain).

Crivit stands, mouth agape at the sight before him. He didn't think it would be that easy to see her naked. He struggles to find the words to respond to Krysta, but finally answers. "My family sook to address the injustices of the world by force. Things ended badly for most of them. I have chosen a more holy path, and found Veles's teachings to be the correct way."

He seems finished, then adds solemnly "he very much encourages daily bathing rituals."

[Mister-Kent]

Constance claps her hands. "Very well then! I shall make a point to abide by that!"

[AleBelly]

"Yes, madam, but I don't scrub backs" chuckles Crivit.

"Yes, continuing westward seems like a wise course. Perhaps another day's travel, then we return? I'm eager to learn of this festival being planned in Vaul."

[keal]

Squinting up into the sunlight above that shone from behind the taller humans' faces, it was difficult to make out their expressions. Adrik could hear that they might already be planning to only walk for another day before turning around and heading back.

"Erm," he said finally, "just another day and that's it?" Gesturing about the wilderness, pointing off in all directions, he adds, "Just look at all there is to explore!"

[Keehnelf]

one encounter with a dozen enemies and you'll be changing your tune, master dwarf

[hedgeknight]

"Sorry to hear that about your family. The gods knew their hearts. Pelor sends forth his light into the world to deliver it from darkness, whether that be evil or sin. Sometimes it takes a firm hand...or mace...to drive out the darkness."
Krysta gives Crivit a sad smile and then gets ready to go.

At Adrik's comment, Krysta nods eagerly. "Indeed > the world is so big! And we've not even scratched the surface! I hope you don't plan to turn back so soon..."

[Keehnelf]

Quick calendar note: since there are 30 days per month, if the party travels another day west they are guaranteed to miss the Harrowing festival unless they return traveling all day and all night.

[AleBelly]

Explore the hex, then, to speak in metagaming terms?

[Mister-Kent]

I'd say explore for sure--I don't think its in the cards for our group to see the Harrowing Festival :/

[keal]

Have we gone further west than the map(s) already show?