Chapter 1: Journey through the Jotens

[Spearmint]

Siouxsie

How far are we away from the Settlement we intended to ride to? It might be prudent to continue on, share with others what we know and return better equipped and with any additional knowledge we can garner.

[Rex]

Qleceec

We could continue on, but it would only be to share what we have learned. Returning here after would be useless. There is no trail to follow as the escapees can all fly. So there would be no point in returning. If we are going to follow it has to be right now or never.

[gurusql]

Assuming that you are talking about Silver Springs,

Here are the directions from Loftwick (the capital)

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.

The bold part is where you are. At this point you have travelled 2 days of the mentioned 2.5 days to get you to the crossroads.

[Spearmint]

Siouxsie

Can we make it to the crossroads? Seems a logical target and crossroads might give us encounters with friendly merchants, travellers, pilgrims who can add to our knowledge base.

[gurusql]

Can you make it to the crossroads before dark - no. It is most likely still a half days travel away. Can you keep riding into the evening of course that is possible

[gurusql]

Boff

"Androgost we will give the message back to town, but we still expect a share of the treasure! Again here is the letter, those baby dragon are almost out of sight it is now or never as Qleceec said. We are going to try to get out the land claimed by this dragon before camping."

After giving the letter to Silver Spring, Boff and Franny head back down the trail in the direction the group came.

[Rex]

Qleceec

Qleceec mounts up and starts after the dragons, "Are we doing this or no?"

[Spearmint]

Siouxsie

We could continue on, but it would only be to share what we have learned. Returning here after would be useless. There is no trail to follow as the escapees can all fly. So there would be no point in returning. If we are going to follow it has to be right now or never.

I can agree with that sentiment. Otherwise we return and have to use time exploring likely locales or we wait for another encounter. So proactively following in the wake of the flyers now rather than distancing ourselves to camp elsewhere might be a better logical choice.

To be honest, I am fine with either as both have benefits but knowing others are keen to track the creatures now, I have no issue supporting that.

Siouxsie mounts up. "To the dragon and beyond."

[gurusql]

In the Jotens - Chasing Dragons!
Late Afternoon Starday, 8th day of Planting, 597
3rd day since leaving Loftwick

Qleceec (AC 1, HP 63/63)
Androgost (AC -6, HP 59/65, Armor 23/26)
Nah (AC 4, HP 53/53)
Siouxsie (AC 2, HP 44/48)
Garrant (AC 8, HP 50/50)
Hex (AC 0, HP 27/27, Armor 8/8)
Raffi (AC -1, HP 21/21, Armor 8/8)

The group decides to follow the "baby dragons" into the forest and waves goodbye to Boff and Franny. I am assuming that Androgost has the letter to Silver Spring and I am also assuming that the party order is as listed.

The adventurers need to make up some of the ground to keep the "baby dragons" in sight, so there is a slightly faster than normal pace. The forest does become thicker and moister as the party moves forward. After several thousand feet (half-ish mile) the group is at a local topographically low point (minor valley) and Qleceec motions the group to stop and gets off her horse to look and smell the ground.

Actions?

[Rex]

Qleceec

Qleceec passes word back quietly, "Lots of Shtelke tracks and sign traveling through here, some weeks old and some very recent. Keep alert they are close by."

She mounts back up and proceeds, trying to be extra alert. Can she find evidence of a main trail/road and/or any structures?

[cybersavant]

Nah Olos will be riding with his crossbow ready, bolt loaded. He's also watching for more of those strands and crystals, as well as scanning the sky at times.


perceptions, use as needed

hear noise 25

[spanningtree]

Androgost

Androgost quickly drafts a letter for Boff to present, the letter updates the reader as to their situation with a gut assessment that things are grim. Of course Fanny and yourself get a cut, please take this letter and present to the leadership in Loftwick. He also takes the SilverSpring introduction letter from Boff.

Mount up , we follow the young-lings. Same order as before, but a bit tighter since the light is diminishing.

Mounts up and takes the second position behind Qleceec.

[Storm11]

Hex and Raffi follow along at the end of the company, but spread themselves out a little, some ten feet between them, so as not to both get caught in a. Trap or ambush or dragon breath.

[gurusql]

In the Jotens - Chasing Dragons!
Late Afternoon Starday, 8th day of Planting, 597
3rd day since leaving Loftwick

Qleceec (AC 1, HP 63/63)
Androgost (AC -6, HP 59/65, Armor 23/26)
Nah (AC 4, HP 53/53)
Siouxsie (AC 2, HP 44/48)
Garrant (AC 8, HP 50/50)
Hex (AC 0, HP 27/27, Armor 8/8)
Raffi (AC -1, HP 21/21, Armor 8/8)

Qleceec lets the party know that you are close given the number of tracks over time. Nah Olos loads his heavy crossbow and does notice the strands and crystals are not present like they were at the road. Androgost suggests a tighter formation, but Hex and Raffi have there own ideas worried about a dragon breath weapon. The group continues along the "path" of the "baby dragons". The forest thickens and smells of chorine fill the air while the ground get soft and mushy.

After crossing the area with tracks Qleceec realizes that there are no tracks here from the Shtelke in this soft and mushy ground. The biome is does include crickets that can be heard in the forest even now. Androgost with his eyes focused forward sees through the trees well over a 100 feet away some kind of raised stone platform perhaps 8-10 feet high and at least 3 times that wide, perhaps more. Nah notices up on a raised rock ahead of the ranger and to the groups left side there is a Shtelke up in tree that is watching the path the group is taking with her mouth to a horn that she has not yet blown - perhaps not wanting to give away her position. But there is eye contact for a moment. Siouxsie notices the undergrowth that is thriving here and has more thorns than normal. Garrant is too far back in the order to see many of these things and Hex and Raffi with a small gap are having this problem even more.

Actions?

Rolls

[_4d6]=(6+4+3+3)=16[_4d6]=(2+1+1+5)=9[_4d6]=(1+4+2+6)=13[_4d6]=(5+4+4+1)=14[_4d6]=(5+5+4+6)=20[_4d6]=(4+2+3+4)=13[_4d6]=(3+2+3+3)=11

[spanningtree]

Androgost

Hand up: Hold here.

Takes in the surroundings more intently.

[Rex]

Qleceec

Qleceec stops, making sure her bow is ready.

[Storm11]

The gnome and the halfling halt at the rangers request, looking backwards and forwards for any signs of an ambush, hands going to the hilts if their weapons.

[shaidar]

Garrant does his best to remain alert when they stop. Checking left, right, and up, for danger. He also tries to determine the best approach a dragon might take to 'strafe' them with his breath weapon, ready to throw a lightning bolt that way if needed.

[gurusql]

In the Jotens - Stopping in the Forest
Late Afternoon Starday, 8th day of Planting, 597
3rd day since leaving Loftwick

Qleceec (AC 1, HP 63/63)
Androgost (AC -6, HP 59/65, Armor 23/26)
Nah (AC 4, HP 53/53)
Siouxsie (AC 2, HP 44/48)
Garrant (AC 8, HP 50/50)
Hex (AC 0, HP 27/27, Armor 8/8)
Raffi (AC -1, HP 21/21, Armor 8/8)

Androgost stops the group with a signal while still holding his lance. Qleceec and Nah have their brow and crossbow ready respectfully. Siouxsie takes it all in and Garrant, Hex and Raffi are looking for that ambush and readying themselves for an attack. The "baby dragons" have left the leads view at this point and can no long be seen. As the group sits waiting for the other shoe to drop, the sound of crickets continues to be heard and smell of chorine becomes stronger and the ground is still soft and mushy especially forward of the group.

A barn owl gives a strong "Who" and the Shtelke in the tree with the horn takes flight retreating away from the group, but does not attack or even blow the horn. The trees behind the group begin to rustle like it would if a wind is blowing through that area.

Actions?

Die Rolls

1: [_3d6]=(6+6+6)=18[_3d6]=(4+5+3)=12[_4d6]=(4+3+1+6)=14[_3d6]=(3+6+6)=15 2:[_3d6]=(4+3+4)=11

[shaidar]

Garrant wheels his horse around towards the trees

"Ware! There is no wind to cause the trees to move. There is magic afoot, and we are perfectly placed for a gaseous attack."

Waiting for an answer from gurusql in my private area before a likely spell casting