Due to Mithra's early rousting and organization, by the time the sun peeked over the horizon, the mounted group was ready to head out. While Mithra temporarily remains behind to make sure the other groups all get started, Willem leads the rest of this group, moving at slightly faster than a walk

This group consists of:
- Alecks (mount)
- Cinnabar
- Mithra (mount)
- Nemeia
- Prizzard (mount)
- Sala (using his magic disks)
- Stonecrow
- Theirastra
- Willem (mount)

At the last minute, Goyle decided to head to Phandalin.

Of those that don't have mounts, which of you are interested in having your own Travelling Disk to ride on and control? Otherwise, do the rest of you want to ride on a horse or on a disk? Cinnabar had expressed her intent to just walk/run alongside everyone else.

It'll take a full two days to reach the Ruins of Thundertree, and that's by pushing it for a bit each day. Otherwise, it'll take three days. For the entire distance, you'll be able to travel two abreast, and even spread out more once you travel across the plains to the west of the forest.

So, you need to determine a marching order.

I'll definitely be ritual casting the 2nd level version of the disk and attempting to change its shape to provide a little more protection from slipping off.

1st
07:53, Today: Sala Menes rolled 7 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 3.  Int check for disk shape. – [roll=1645573986.27058.364018]

2nd
07:53, Today: Sala Menes rolled 23 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 19.  Int check for disk shape. – [roll=1645574013.59497.364018]

3rd
07:53, Today: Sala Menes rolled 17 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 13.  Int check for disk shape. – [roll=1645574017.75312.364018]

PS: Holy crap, didn't realise it had a duration of 1hr/level. Thats great as they will last 4 hours per cast.

Before setting out, Alecks performs the ritual to cast his own bowl shaped disc. He looks at those who are without a mount and offers a ride.

"Someone Please try the disc. It should work fine while we are on the road, just holler if you get stuck."

He mounted his mule and nodded, sending his owl up to watch for an ambush.

ooc:

19:15, Today: Alecks Senechal rolled 15 using 1d20+2 with rolls of 13.

19:15, Today: Alecks Senechal rolled 18 using 1d20+2 with rolls of 16.

19:15, Today: Alecks Senechal rolled 34 using 1d20+22 with rolls of 12.  shape.

Anyone who hadn't already figured out that Cinnabar was a druid of some kind loses any kind of ignorance very early on in the trip, replaced instead by a sort of mystery that doesn't provide as easy of an answer.  As the last member of the team mounts their horse, the last of the traveling disks already in place, the small halfling woman vanishes, and far more quickly than the average transformation is replaced by something more than a little bit unusual.

Her new form is similar in shape to that of a large cat, but made out of vine like plants and a few plates of stone that can be seen providing structure under the shifting surface.  If that wasn't enough two of the upper teeth in its otherwise granite mouth are long tusk like pieces of obsidian that look to be unhealthily sharp.

In this form she easily, almost lazily, keeps pace with the horses, often ranging a little ways off the path to jump and play in the trees before catching up, only returning to her halfling form when the party stops to rest for meals every few hours.

Nemeia looked at the floating disk with distain. She did not trust the magical transportation but without her own horse, she could not afford to be picky.

"I will be rear guard. The cape will get me to the front quickly if needed". she said stoically.

The paladin then proceeded to her spot with a slight frown.
This message was last edited by the player at 09:44, Wed 23 Feb 2022.

Prizzard rode a quick riding horse rather than a strong beast of a warhorse, so he could easily act as a forward scout. As first to a new rest site he would set out a trap or go fishing for a bit at each, or if a particularly good target revealed itself he might try his luck with an arrow.

Willem quickly stowed his gear and prepared to depart, solemnly accepting  the charge to lead the group until Mithra caught up.

He nodded in agreement as others volunteered for specific duties. Prizzard would ride solo, acting as a scout a little farther up the road. Cinnabar, in her strange beast form, covered their flanks as she disappeared from view into the undergrowth.

So Willem and Alecks had the pleasure of towing the remainder of the party. Sala was welcome to ride with him if desired, or could cast his spell on Willem if he preferred to travel on his own disk. Willem wasn’t certain how the magick worked but was trusting enough to allow the strange magician to do as he saw fit. They would make a strange sight indeed to any passing observer!

Willem’s horse, Draxus, was an ordinary looking beast. A gelded bay rouncey with leather barding and saddlebags. But closer inspection would reveal that his feet didn’t actually touch the ground, he floated a few inches above it! As he walked he moved effortlessly over the ground, no matter what the terrain.

Suggested marching order:

                     Prizzard

Willem                                  Alecks
Sala                                      Stonecrow                           Cinnabar (roaming on either side as she sees fit)
Theirastra                            Nemeia

                      Mithra

Can I also say, some of you I have adventured with before some some are new to me. I am very much looking forward to gaming with you on this mission.

"There are several of us that can serve as rear guard, and still get to the front rather quickly." She said in reply to Nemeia. "Myself included. My boots, my Fey Step, and or my bladesong would allow me to do so."

Theira will cast her disc, attaching it to Sala who has his attached to Willem, in order to keep the marching order.

OOC: Apparently I can cast the disc spell and leash it to Willem's horse. I planned on creating three but myself and Theirastra could actually tether to Alecks and Willem accordingly and each end up with the maintenance of just 2 discs each.

In reply to Sala Menes (msg # 10):

Yeah, that sounds like a good idea. Less fuss for you casters.

In reply to Grey Willem (msg # 11):

[OOC: And gives Theira a very fun springboard with which to use her new boots from. :) ]

"Now that we are all assembled. I'd like to introduce myself." says Sala, with a small bow to the assembled departees. "I am Sala, a mage of small repute and tinkerer of small things." he explains. His voice is of middling depth, but has definitely got an accent that is hard to place.

"It seems I have been shorn from my family, but as luck would have it they all hated me anyway. I feel no desire to return, and I'm keen to learn more of these lands. Where I am from, chronomancy is rare and frowned upon. I hope that I find more acceptance within these lands."

Willem nodded when Sala introduced himself. "Well met, Sala. Let us hope you can find a new home here. I am Willem. I am a part of an Order, the Holy Protectors of Torm." Absentmindedly he rubbed the strange arcane mark on his face. A keen observer would note that he did not say he was actually a Holy Protector. To those that know of such things their tabards are black, while those of an initiate of the Order are white. The grey tabard Willem bears is something of an anomaly...

"I am not familiar with chronomancy, but as long as it doesn't meddle with dark powers then you will have no trouble from me. Maybe as we ride you can tell me more of this chronomancy, and your homeland too if you wish to share such knowledge. Such talk may help us know each other better, and while away the time on the road."

"I believe that's time magic, I'm sure I've come across the term before." Offering a wave to the newcomers: "I am called Prizzard, just a wanderer enjoying life as it comes. I prefer the rapier but try to be.. prepared." Indeed he seems to carry a bit of everything and even knows a little magic. A well-rounded noble, if such a thing exists.

This group sure did like to talk. Instead of keeping an eye out for possible ambushes, they were just chattering away like there was not a possible orc army ready to pounce. Yes, there were scouts but relying on them alone could get someone killed. Maybe they were just trying to relieve their fear, nervousness or outright boredom. At least they were not singing...yet.

Nemeia did find an advantage of the magical floating disk as transportation. She could keep facing the rear as it continued moving forward. The paladin kept a sharp eye out and mainly ignored the conversations. She just hoped all the talking did not bring any unwanted attention from sharp eared enemies....or maybe she did. Nemeia stole a quick glance at her war scythe before continuing watching the rear.

Much like the smaller cats the big one Cinnabar turned into is quiet for its size.  That doesn't make it quite silent, but compared to the clopping of horse hooves and the chatter of humanoids it may as well be undetectable.

Occasionally visible in long stretches between heavy cover, or leaping over one stream or another, it is clear that she is keeping up but keeping her distance.

Sala still isn't specifying which spell he's casting... Tenser's FLOATING Disk or Tenser's TRAVELING Disk.

The Floating Disk has a range, so it can be cast on someone else. If he cast it on, say, Nemeia, it'd float behind her at 20 feet, carrying whatever she put on it. In those cases, it only lasts for one hour, but Sala could cast it again just inside the 1-hour limit to 'renew it'.

The Traveling Disk also has a range, so it, too, can be cast on someone else. However, it lasts 4 hours, and if he casts it on, say, Prizzard, it's under Prizzard's control. He can ride on it and control where it goes.

So, again, Cinnabar is ranging out in front on foot.

Does Nemeia want to be on her own independent disk?

Does Stonecrow want to be on his own independent disk?

Does Sala want to be on his own independent disk?

Does Theirastra want to be on her own independent disk? Or does she want it attached to one of the horses? For that matter, which version is she casting?


Remember, the disks are nearly invisible, so it appears that anyone on a disk is floating in the air.

I was always casting the second level version as posted here.  I planned on casting it on the horses so that it would be pinned to them. We follow where they go. Anybody can hop on a spare. When we talked after this initial post we figured out we would only need two discs.

OOC: I cast a second level version at the same time as Sala. It is bowl shaped and centered on my mule. Note that with the feat it was cast from the ritual book. I did not need to prepare it for the day.

Though with the main group, Alecks remains watchful and in contact with his owl that is watching from the air above the group.

His watchful demeanor wavered once to respond to the introductions.

He smiled as Sala and Prizzard introduced themselves. "I am Alecks, navigator on the merchent vessel known as the Osprey and a follower of Selune. I met Willem and Theirastra in the caves. Seems there's more to be done to keep the area safe.  I'll do what I can to help.",