In reply to The Seer (msg # 131):

Once they got to the cave, the first thing Ulrich does is take care of his horse and mule. The others could start a fire. Oats and water, he sets the barrel near the fire to thaw what is frozen, he then brushes and grooms his animals.

"A double watch is a good idea Gregors, that way someone should be awake."

Gregor nods then begins the process of setting up a safe encampment within the cave. Despite the wind wailing outside, the fire's warm...and once dinner's served, you all share a hearty meal.

OOC: you guys want the watch schedule to coincide with your marching order?

In reply to The Seer (msg # 133):

Does casters need 8 straight hours rest in this version of the rules?
This message was last updated by the player at 19:26, Thu 25 June 2020.

In reply to The Seer (msg # 133):

Bruno was glad for the cave and agreed with their guide regarding watches, ”It seems wise.”

Looking around the group, ”Our marching order seems like a good watch order from front to back.

“So, that put Uthecar and Ulric up first and then so on down the line until dawn.”

DM note: Each watch is 3 hours.

It's about 6pm when you all finish dinner. Ulrich and Uthecar take their watch and pay heed from opposite ends of the cave's opening. There's little to see beyond the snow fall, but 3 hours putter along when Bruno and Gildan take over. They watch from the same vantage used by the first watch; unfortunately, the temperature  drops even further, so even with a fire the cave is getting cold. Most of you are still awake, talking quietly for those trying to sleep.

Suddenly, midway through your watch, you feel the ground shake and bits of frozen dirt and ice fall from the ceiling. Everyone wakes up, startled.

Are you taking any actions?
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:50, Thu 25 June 2020.

"Dumathoin moves." Uthecar states as he grabs his axe ready, shooting a glance to the ceiling to make sure there is no danger of falling debris.  He silently looks to Bruno and Gildan as he moves to the animals.  Looking to see if they give hand signals to say something approaches the cave.

Though he has no special skill in it, he knows enough to lay his hand on his mules flank to settle its nerves as it skits about anxiously.

Dumathoin. Dwarven god.  Keeper of Secrets Under the Mountain

Myrrick moves quietly to the front of the cave, letting his eyes adjust to the darkness, hoping his elfin heritage will allow him to pick up whatever it is that can shake a mountain.

OOC infravision... if that's possible in this cold environment.

Bruno looks first at the ceiling of the cave to confirm that the earthquake isn't going to bring it down.

Then he looks down to ensure that it is not going to create tear in the ground to send them all into the depths.

Since everyone is already awake and he notes nothing aside from the quake itself out of order he does nothing more than move under the opening to the cave's arch and continues standing ready in the cold.

Holy **** - you guys are impressive, a well-oiled machine. I've never been prouder of a group of players! Well done! Way to keep it together.
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Everyone goes about their business in calm and orderly fashion without much hullabaloo. That is, except Gregors, who's very quiet and a bit green around the gills. Still, he's taking care of the pack horses, keeping them calm and checking on everyone's needs. Things return to normal quickly.
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The next watch is Zan and Kullonar, that's the mid-watch which doesn't bother Zan much, but leaves the half-orc priest a bit out of sorts. Their three hours pass by slowly and coldly. Winter gear is sufficient to protect them, but it doesn't leave any of you comfortable. At last you turn it over to Myrrick and Gregors. At last, you see a hint of the false dawn that grows into the actual dawn, and the rest of the party begins to stir.

Day Two: From 6 in the morning, til Noon, all is quiet as you keep on the track set by Gregors. Noon to 6pm sees the after effect of the avalanche; Gregors points out that the rockslides weren't there during his last sojourn into the mountains; he surmises the rockfall probably was due to the avalanche the prior eve.

6pm comes; Gregors leads you into a small vale surrounded by high mountains. The entry way into the vale is single file. The mountains hover, bent over like protective parents guarding their young. There is a large niche where the party can huddle and light a fire. The pack animals and the warhorse huddle together for warmth. Tonight, Bruno and Gildan have the first watch.

ooc: to be clear: horse + pack animals are in the vale, but are gathered just outside the niche. The warhorse seems inclined to stand at their center - smart animal.

ooc2: one other note, I assume that you're rotating the watches: In other words, you're not having the same folks on the same watches all the time (Kullonar's likely to get grouchy if has the midwatch everynight).
This message was last edited by the GM at 11:44, Fri 26 June 2020.

Kullonar and Zan take over for Bruno and Gildan from 9-12. Kullonar sniffs and snuffles; for all his complaint against delving the deeps, he finds the tundra cold and miserable. Zan, for his part, is quiet but somewhat alert. As always, he keeps his thoughts to himself. Every now and again, both look up at the sky, trying to gauge how much time is left before they can bed down. Outside, the pack animals suddenly get restive and the stallion wakes, alert.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:24, Fri 26 June 2020.

09:17, Today: Ulrich Aelgrimm rolled 6 using 1d6.  initiative. sleeping atm. until someone or something awakes me. If the stallion goes nuts, I'll awake!
This message was last edited by the player at 15:38, Fri 26 June 2020.

OOC:
11:22, Today: Bruno Rhunthane rolled 5 using 1d6+1.  Initiative.

12:30, Today: Kullonar rolled 4 using 1d6.  Initiative.

Kullonar breaks out in a clammy sweat.
"Somehow...some way...we are under attack!" he hisses to Zan.

Uthecar is slow off the mark

07:45, Today: Uthecar Hornskin II rolled 1 using 1d6.  Initiative .

Uthecar is quite happy to take the middle watch.  He has the eyesight and does not need to learn spells so is best designed for trough the witching hours. 

16:39, Today: Myrrick rolled 8 using 1d6+2.  init.


Myrrick wakes, alert as well.

OOC - Ulrich, in the future, will take middle watch too, spells don't come until 9th level, I don't need the continuous rest

Ulrich is disturbed by everyone rousing and whispering about, he sits up and rubs his eyes, "What is going on?" he whispers. He detects evil and looks around.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:47, Sat 27 June 2020.

PM

PM

As Kullonar hisses warning, Zan turns inward toward the shelter and screams: "Ware, Attack!"

FYI: I mentioned this in the OOC thread, but putting it here: Anyone in bed loses a round.
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:59, Sun 28 June 2020.

In reply to The Seer (msg # 149):

Ulrich rises and draws his sword!

pm
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:08, Sun 28 June 2020.

In reply to The Seer (msg # 151):

"It appears I'm being challenged to combat! So be it!" he scrambles to his feet.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:42, Sun 28 June 2020.

From outside comes the sound of ancient battle cries, the wails of the wounded, the trials of the weak and strong. A charnel house smell attacks your senses and you realize that the battle has been joined for real.

Inititive:
Myrrick: 8 -
Ulrich and Gildan: 6
Zan and Bruno: 5
Kullonar and Gregors: 4
Uthecar: 1


Reminder: How I typically do combat is you roll initiative then your attacks and then your damage. Don't wait for me - I'll put the monster initiatives in order as they fit when I post round recaps. Guys, this is a good test. Good luck!
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:21, Sun 28 June 2020.

Bruno is finishing up his prayers when Zan calls out his warning. Gildan leaps to his feet and readies his bow...unsure of where to shoot. The fire burns fitfully now as flame wanes. All those at ready (Kullonar, Zan, Gildan, Bruno) don't have a target to shoot at. Behind them, Ulrich said, "There is evil in this place."

Then he draws his sword and begins to exit the shelter.

Bruno: 5 -- Bruno is casting a spell
This message was last edited by the player at 20:05, Sun 28 June 2020.

Myrrick leads the group out of the shelter, his halberd always ready, and slashes at the first thing attacking him or his friends, still not sure what exactly is going on.

11:38, Today: Myrrick rolled 12 using 1d10+3.  hurt.

11:37, Today: Myrrick rolled 15 using 1d20+4.  hit(assuming cold based creatures).