Chapter 0: The Gathering

[Rex]

Qleceec

"Sorry about that but a girl needs her sleep."

She will keep alert as they advance in the darkness.

[Quonundrum]

Androgost

"I propose we ride until midday then stop at a water source and allow the horses to rest for an hour. After that we push on until sunset."

[cybersavant]

Nah Olos rises early and pads quietly around, shaking his head at the noise most of the rest make. He assumes his position as they head out, constantly looking around and behind them as they travel for the day.

permission granted for DM to roll as needed

[shaidar]

Androgost

"I propose we ride until midday then stop at a water source and allow the horses to rest for an hour. After that we push on until sunset."

Garrant

"Sounds reasonable, we don't want to push the horses too hard, it's long journey and we don't want a lame horse."

[Spearmint]

Siouxsie

Rides along.

[OGRE MAGE]

“Hey! Nah! Ye might want ta pack up that stuff ye ordered, er should I have Franny lift it fer ya?”

Boff and Franny ride along behind the group, with Franny watching forward for trouble while Boff keeps a lookout behind the group as often as he deems safe.

Both agree to the suggestions of the horse masters, eager to get the traveling over as quickly and safely as possible.

[gurusql]

First Day Riding
Pre-Dawn Earthday, 6th day of Planting, 597

Androgost (AC -6, HP 65/65)
Qleceec(AC 1, HP 63/63)
Nah Olos (AC 4, HP 53/53)
Siouxsie (AC 2, HP 48/48)
Garrant (AC 8, HP 50/50)
Boff (AC 5, HP 61/61)
Franny (AC 4, HP 26/26)

The group choses to leaves several of the requested items behind (200 feet a rope and two grappling hooks (requested by Boff), a shovel, pick, and a sledgehammer (requested by Boff), horse grain for 20 days total (requested by Boff) and 4 2-person tents (requested by Siouxsie) even though Boff was suggesting they were ordered by Nah.

After a bit of a chaotic start, the adventurers leave the Clean Castle Inn and head for the first gate to leave the government area. As the Cavalier and Ranger enters the torch light, there are two guards manning this portcullis and the one watching this way is taking a little nap, but he snaps to attention when the other guard slams the blunt end of his spear on the foot of the sleeping guard. The two of them raise the portcullis with only a wave. The party quickly makes its way through the empty streets of Loftwick heading for the eastern gate. The guards at the eastern gate are both more plentiful and more alert, but they allow the group to pass wishing the group only, "Happy Hunting!"

At this time of morning there is no on else on the road and the group knows they have a long ride ahead of them so they press on. The group passes multiple small farms along the both sides of the road, but the obviously better farmland lays to the south since the hills and mountains are to the north. As the sun starts to rise the group hears rooster calls for several minutes. About 45 minutes after first light the group comes upon what looks like a human farmer with brown hair and dressed in muddy brown clothing and with a boy of perhaps 10 years with similar brown hair. The pair has a cart loaded with carrots and parsnips. The cart is being pulled by a single draft horse. The boy is trying to encourage the draft horse while the farmer is pushing the cart from the rear. The duo is where the road T's, with a path heading north into the hills and one continuing east. It appears that the duo tried to "cut the corner" and managed to get the right wheel stuck in the mud.

Actions?

[Spearmint]

Siouxsie

"Guess we can help them for a sack ful of carrots for the horses." she says looking at the stronger guys to heave the wagon up and help replace the wheel. Unless such a common task is beneath our endeavour as envoys.

[cybersavant]

Nah Olos looks at Siouxsie, sighs and dismounts. He lumbers over to the cart. "Want a hand?"

[Rex]

Qleceec

"I will keep watch as the stronger among us help with the cart."

[Quonundrum]

Androgost

The elf knight dismounts and approaches the wagon. Briefly scanning the mud caked wheels and his recently polished armour, he moves to the front and grasps the horse's bridle, preparing to encourage it forward when ready.

[shaidar]

Garrant looks unimpressed

"So, it's down to Nah Olos and I to sort this out then?" he calls over the the half-orc "I can cast a spell to double your size and make you stronger. but it'll take the better part of an hour to wear off."

[Spearmint]

Siouxsie

Will help push the cart and filch a couple of carrots that fall off the back of the wagon for her horse.

[OGRE MAGE]

Boff grumbles, but dismounts to help the farmers.

He and Franny move to the area where the wagon is stuck in the mud, heaving on it with all their might once the animals are encouraged to pull by the groups leader.

"This'll set us behind on our time if we cant get er out right away."

"Maybe me pry bar'll elp us out some?"

He uses any means at their disposal to free the cart.

[gurusql]

First Day Riding
Early Morning Earthday, 6th day of Planting, 597

First Nah and then eventually Siouxsie, Boff and Franny join the farmer attempting to push the cart and Androgost and his polished armor attempt to pull on the horse from the mud. Once the five of them put their back into it, getting it out of the mud although difficult was doable for the group.

Each person pushing through the mud should make a 3d6 DEX check to determine if they have slightly muddy shoes or if perhaps their foot stuck when the cart moved resulting in a face plant in the mud.

The farmer says, "Thank you gentle riders, I wish you and your steeds the best possible speed! I will gladly give you a large sack of carrots and one of parsnips for your journey."
About this time another wagon, this one with only carrots is heading straight west toward town (from the eastern road) and yells to the farmer as they go past, "We will win this time!"
The farmers joyous face turns to a slight frown, and he says "With your permission we will take your leave." He tries to tip his hat, but realizes he is not wearing one and if unstopped sends the wagon after the other wagon.

That will leave you ready to begin again. The road T's, one path continuing east parallel with mountains and one more heading north.

Actions?

Rolls

6d6 rolls for the Farmer alone, 5d6 with one or two helpers, 4d6 with 3+ helpers. At least one person has to make the roll.
Farmer[_4d6]=(2+4+5+5)=16 Nah[_4d6]=(2+6+5+4)=17 Siouxsie[_4d6]=(5+4+2+2)=13 Boff[_4d6]=(3+4+2+4)=13 Franny[_4d6]=(5+6+1+5)=17

Added a dialog tag

[Spearmint]

Siouxsie

Siouxsie: Dex save vs 16. [3d6]=8

No problem.

She collects any vegetables left behind, crunching on one and feeding others to the horse.

[Quonundrum]

Androgost

He pats the draft horse on its rump and silently nods to the farmer before saddling his own warhorse again and leading the group north into the mountains.

Exit Loftwick from the east gates and take the New Road (with the High Crags on your left) for about 10 miles.
At the first branch, take the northern road (again with the High Crags on your left) eventually you will reach Emberton, it is about 25 miles.
Exit Emberton from the north side of the city and after about 35 miles you will reach the North Reach. North Reach is the last town in the Yeomanry League. Recommend you stay away from the sewars. With hard riding and pushing your horses you can reach this in one day, but it will be several hours after dark when you get there.

You find a wide trail out of the North Reach to the north that will go for about 60 miles into the Jotens. The trail will head toward the northwest and it should take about 2 1/2 days to reach these cross roads since you will be much slower in the mountains. At that point the trail will have an intersection of four trails. You will want to take the trail that heads the most to the east.
Take this trail for about 65 miles to get to Silver Spring which should take another 2 1/2 days.

[cybersavant]

Nah Olos

dex 17 :

The brutish halforc remounts and falls in line again. He looks down the road after the wagons. "Good competition that is."

[Rex]

Qleceec

Qleceec follows along behind Androgost. "A good deed always brightens the day."

[OGRE MAGE]

The ever suspicious dwarves watch the area around them carefully, unwilling to let their guard down, even while helping another out of the muck.

B Dex Check (17) [3d6]=12

F Dex Check (12) [3d6]=15

Despite the muddy boots (and face?), they happily depart again without comment, following the lead of the cavalier.