Gwydion is a bit slow to respond to the summons of the knight, but he does come. When pulled off the road crew, he dons his mail hauberk, ties a pouch containing sling stones to his belt, and hefts his spear. "Bandits? Sounds dangerous. We'll need to use care if we're outnumbered."

Realizing he hasn't spoken to most of the others much, and hearing Arandyl introduce himself, he also adds, "Call me Gwydion."



OOC: I'm also an Elf, so I have infravision, and decent if not great AC (crap roll for starting gold). I could take point, unless our brave Fighter would like to do so.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:10, Fri 28 July 2023.

Vrigori will fill his waterskin, but he doesn't have rations. If this takes a while, we'll need to hunt.

Also, Vrigori is lightly encumbered, but I expect he's still not the slowest.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 19:57, Fri 28 July 2023.

"I am called Birahu, I will take point if you want." he tells the others. He takes food for now and later and refills his waterskin too!
This message was last edited by the player at 22:15, Fri 28 July 2023.

"Well then, there you have it." Arandyl says before biting into a chunk of cheese. He breaks off the end of a loaf of bread as well. What he doesnt eat now, he can eat later in the evening. He begins filling his waterskin. "Birahu is point."

I like how some are posting with their AC & HP. I think that's line 2 of your character details.

Present marching order:  Birahu, then possibly Arandyl.

Gwydion will take the second position behind Birahu.

Present marching order:  Birahu, Gwydion, Arandyl.

3 more positions to fill. Thoughts on where Svenner & the hafling with the hounds should be ??

Arandyl scrutinizes Svenner closely, wondering what type of man he is and where he should be placed in the party's group.  He does the same to the halfling and hounds.

"Hey Svenner.  You a fighter?  You ever done something like this?" Arandyl asks, curious as to what skills the man brings.

---

(OOC) We need some information on the guys.

"The halfling with the hounds can come up front to let the dogs lead the way, he can be behind me for protection. You want up front, or toward the back Svenner?"

"Me, a fighter ??" Svenner seems to turn this over in his mind. "Nay, not a fighter. I know the local region & carry a pair of daggers for protection. I direct the men doing their annual service on roads & grounds. And help settle disputes. I can be near the front if needed up there."

He carries a waterskin & 2 days food in a sack. 2 worn looking daggers along with a general purpose knife & small axe.

Kelper the hafling listens to Svenner's conversation with Arandyl.

"What or who are we tracking Sir Fighter ??" Kelper seems a bit confused. "I was told by Knight Rathborne to help track down any Red Hand fugitives with my hounds. Knight Rathborne's men are chasing those bandits in our general direction. Any that you do not kill, I am to aid in tracking them down. I only have this stout stick & cooking pan." Also some cooking utensils, waterskin & a sack of (probably) dried meat for the hounds.

"Perhaps towards the end for me & my hounds ??" Kelper has no problems keeping up with your walking, the hounds tend to rug him along. The hounds are quiet, but sense they are going to be chasing something.

"Alright Svenner, your up there with Birahu and Gwydion." Arandyl says. "Followed by myself and the others. Kelper last."

"Surely a tracker and hounds should be up front? Are the blind to lead the blind?"

A woman joins the group, clad in chainmail and bearing shield and mace. There is a prominent holy symbol around her neck.

"One day you may need a healer, but for now I can at least tend your wounds with bandages. 'Tis better than nursing clumsy road clearers, I hope. I am Zenia."

"Well met madaam Zenia." Arandyl says to the woman. "I am Arandyl. I agree that a tracker would be great thing to have up front, but alas, we have none unless your hobbies include such activities."

"Greetings, I asked the halfling with the hounds to come to the front to track." he tells them, shrugging his shoulders.

Marching order:

Birahu, Gwydion, Svenner, Arandyl, Vrigori ??, Kelper & hounds.

Clayton is super busy & may join in later.

Thusly assembled, you begin walking towards those 'yonder hills.' I am assuming a somewhat fast pacing to get there before darkness falls. Grasses & trees have turned green, the air has a spring crispness to it.

Upon reaching the first hills, a half moon rises above the horizon. Clear skies make for a cool night. Set up camp for the night with the last hour of daylight ?? Push inwards into the evening & then stop for the night ?? Start a fire ?? rest on hilltop, valley between the hills ??

"Let's stop before it gets too dark. I wouldn't think we look like good prey for bandits, but they might think we do in the dark. We can set up on a hilltop and keep a good lookout."

---

Is that the absolute best idea? Probably not, but we don't much information for judging what the best answer would be. I offer a not-unreasonable idea. If you want build on it, great, if you want to reject it, offer your own idea and I will build on that.

"If the hounds trail at the rear they will only pick up our scents, surely? Better Kelper has them up the front, to track the bandits. And an early camp sounds like a good plan - if we start early on the morrow, we may find the bandit lair and surprise them while they sleep, or at least make a plan along those lines."

Zenia still had words of wisdom to share, although the trek up the hills had left her rather out of breath.

"We have no bandit clothes or other items to give the hounds the scent. They can't track what they don't know."

"We can set a guard on the hilltop to see, but as a party, WE would be seen. We'll set camp below the hilltop, protected from the wind, with a sheltered fire for warmth and cooking in the night. Sheltered so it is not seen good folks, we don't want to advertise ourselves." Birahu says to his new friends.

In reply to Birahu (msg # 25):

"I'll take the first watch, then."

In reply to Gwydion (msg # 24):

10 XP for the hounds general idea. I'm working on XP amounts. This will do for a starter.

In reply to Birahu (msg # 25):

10 XP for the camping idea & being seen. I am working on the XP amounts.

In reply to Vrigori (msg # 26):

10 XP for the camping idea & being seen. I am working on the XP amounts.

Gwydion helps set up the camp.

Once the camp is arranged, he sits and hums an old Elven tune to himself as he eats some bread, an apple, and some dried fish. "I will take the first watch. I do not expect much trouble, but we should be careful."