In reply to Gryphon (msg # 243):

No worries, I don't think we really moving on until Monday anyways.

No rush....just glad we're all back

My guy is done just might need to fine tune some equipment

Hey everyone.  So this is how I do long journeys and travel usually. I get a lot of positive feedback for it and my table normally love it, with one exception and that player left the game.

To make the journey more, adventurous and feel more gritty and like the traveling matters, I like to include all the little things that I don’t normally count or keep track of in cities. This includes weight, rations, and all other supplies.

I don’t track this in cities or towns because my players have the money and all the necessities are within reach. But, when hitting the road especially in a wild untamed region food and supplies become limited and Weight is an issue.

So start thinking about the logistics of a long journey. What supplies will you need? will you need mounts? Will you need retainers? Will you need a wagon? What other resources will be needed? Can you get a map? Where are you going? Etc.

You are in effect putting together an expedition.
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:21, Sun 06 Dec 2020.

Ooh, I love this.

I'm going to go scour the books and come back with some idea of what I'd like to bring.

What's the area like that we will be travelling to and through? Or at least within the bounds of the information we have?

 Also I'm only just waking up so I realize this may be already answered somewhere and I will face palm slightly if that's the case. Alright off to hit the books.

In reply to Alekos Eclipse (msg # 248):

Well, assuming we are heading to the fire giants, I think we have a general idea of where it is, but will probably have to consult someone to get an approximate time it will take.

As for supplies, I think at minimum we need a Draft horse and cart to carry food and stuff, as well as a chest and lock to lock it up to try and prevent it from being stolen.  The PHB doesn't say how big the vehicles are, so a cart might be to small so we'd have to bump up maybe to a wagon, but that would likely need a 2nd horse then as a wagon is pretty heavy. At that point we might consider 2 donkey/mules instead of horses.

We still have the bag of holding that we can used to carry smaller items if need be.

As for food, it's 1gp/2days, and 4 lbs per 2 days.  Water is another story, I don't know if we need to buy extra full waterskins, or if we'll be able to find enough water on the way to use what we have.

We may have to buy a couple tents as well so we're not sleeping out in the open, and individuals may need to buy a bedroll and blankets if they don't already have one.  2 tents would be 4 gp and 40 lbs.  Depends on the weather this time of year.

Might also consider lanterns to light campsites.  If someone is into fishing they could buy fishing tackle to try and catch fish on the way for food?

Edit: just saw that if an animal is pulling something, they can pull up to 5x their carrying capacity, so even with a wagon, one donkey/mule would be sufficient.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:47, Sun 06 Dec 2020.

All good stuff, all good stuff. My thought was elephant...

:D

If I remember correctly they fit the setting.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:03, Sun 06 Dec 2020.

In reply to Alekos Eclipse (msg # 250):

If you want to spend that much money and attract the attention of everyone...

Ha ha.

Let's just buy a bag of holding. =P

In reply to Anders Greyven (msg # 252):

Certainly an option if there's one available, but again, that could be pricey.

Plus I know there's a volume limit, but a lot of the items don't have volumes listed so it becomes a bit of a hassle to figure out what exactly can fit into it.

Not saying I'm against it.

An elephant is good at carrying stuff but you also have to think of the food of the animals.

I think for that kind of trip, a wagon with horses would work well enough. As for food, when we meet, I ca  cover that with create food and water for us all so hauling stuff could be left as non perishables.

Plus we can hunt for meat as well

In reply to Sora (msg # 254):

You could, but do you really want to use a 3rd level spell just for food/water?

Not saying it wouldn't be a bad idea in a pinch, but I would think that spell slot could be better utilized and we could spend a few coin on the food/water.

Just my opinion, which isn't worth much.

Again, I think it also depends on how long a journey this would appear to take.  Is it a couple days, a couple weeks?  I think we need more info to better plan.

That would be a last resort, but since most areas will have towns up until the last leg, I think we will be ok on stocking up. So a big wagon will be plenty

Ok guys, I am unknown to you as of yet, but am a ranger like Gryphon. I can hunt and forage well, plus I have goodberry so I can take care of all food needs.

I still like the idea of getting some though. Mounts could be good to get to our point of interest faster and carry away any loot we find. I also agree that tents and such would be good. Looking forward to meeting up with you all IC.

Sora is as of yet unknown to the rest as well...meet on the road

So Sora will be met along the way, what about the "new Gryphon"?  Will we meet him at the keep or on the way?

If on the way, that means only Alekos, Anders, and I will be able to "figure things out" so to speak.

Or is Gryphon going to fill in his replacement and take off?

Just curious.  It'll be good to get going so we can have a bit more substantive discussion instead of so much theorizing.

I will be introduced by Gryphon and  take his place. So You will know about some of my abilities prior to leaving the keep. I can help with gear suggestions etc although i will let you guys decide what we are doing for this adventure, I will get a vote next time  as will be a full member then etc.

Like Normal, Weekends are busy for me so it is lucky when I can post. So I will do my best to address everything.

First - New Sora and Khaaven (Gryphon) will join you all in the Keep. Khaaven has an entrance Sora still needs one. I am doing this so that it makes sense in character for their participation in the preparation for the expedition. As the preparation is very important and I want everyone to participate. It is good to remember, you will have been in the Keep like a tenday when you all finally leave. Buying things and getting set up takes time, and right now there is no time restraint that would require speed.

Second - I know magic can be used to create water and food, but Roleplay a bit here. The exact wording for creating food and water is "The food is bland but nourishing, and spoils if uneaten after 24 hours." With this in mind, Goodberry is literally a strawberry-sized piece of fruit, the same taste every time. I have been on week-long camping trips and brought dehydrated food for all three meals. By the third day, I HATED the food. I know technically magic can feed you, and in a pinch it's good, but Roleplay and have fun with this.

Third - Overall I feel like you guys are embracing this. See this as a fun game element, and some great RP opportunities.

Fourth - Unless you 100% know your destination, which you don't, and won't, preparation for this trek are all theoretical, doing your best to prepare and think ahead

Fifth - What you do know;

All mounts (including Elephants) and mundane needed supplies can be found in the Keep, if not directly in the Keep they will send for supplies from a local city.

There are rivers that flow through the lands, along these rivers are traveled trade routes that move North. As long you travel along a river, water will not be a problem.

There is regular trade coming from the Grants lands into Sverdkyst. The Trades are not your normal humans with horses and Wagons. The Stone Giants are traders and Merchants. They travel in clans of 20-50 Women, Men, and children. Using Mammoths or other large beasts of burden to carry supplies. They are peaceful people, enjoy tales, songs, and trade. If seen on the road they will extend all curiosities of their people no matter who it is. All Stone Giants are nomadic merchants and Traders moving between different giant kingdoms, and into the "the little people lands."

You should not expect any cities along the trade routes. If you come across one you should consider yourselves lucky or unlucky depending. The wilderness is totally untamed, Hill giants and other beasts and creatures stalk the roads and surrounding hillsides raiding, hunting, and killing.

Hunting in this land varies, some areas will be plentiful to forage, others will be sparse and desolate. The wildlife will also vary. This land is scared by war, magical beasts can be found, dinosaurs, animals that are normal will be found in giant and dire sizes.

Traveling you will stumble upon ruins of the once-mighty and now ancient Lizardfolk empire. These ruins can hold magic items, gold and jewels, and all manner of loot. But, they can also be home to monsters, and lairs of dark powerful creatures.

Sixth - You can find out the direction of the Fire Giant fortresses easily enough. The question really becomes which one do you need to go to.

Seventh - and final note. Unlike other settings, my giants are not alignment based. Fire giants tend toward cruelty and anger and normally are not Good. But, most are neutral. And want to make money and trade. They would rather trade and make money off you than kill you, bad for business. Frost Giants are also normally neutral and have more laws and codes they follow than their fire giant cousins. Storm and cloud giants will most likely have nothing to do with you, and if by chance you all come in contact with them I will explain them to you.

Hurrah!

Think I'm going to get that elephant, folks.
As a stage magician I would love if you all would join in Alekos' traveling troupe, however if you would rather not that is alright.

Oh and don't worry about funds for this elephant train (pulling two wagons). I got that but covered with finances left to spare. Did anybody have financial endeavors they needed assistance with? I know we're all pretty flush with coin at the moment.

Heck I may even go in and buy some trade supplies that we could use in encounters with the more amiable giant folk.

What sort of trade goods do they tend to preference or should we expect them to prefer, GM?

I dunno, maybe it's just me, but I'm getting a very "mobile base of operations" vibe now as opposed to simply "shuttling from point A to B'.

Now I'm thinking a horse for each of us (no elephants), at least 2 wagons probably, multiple chests with locks, a tent for each person, lanterns, multiple waterskins per person so we can have backups in a dry spell, rations for at least a couple weeks (as a backup for lack of fresh food).

We even need to consider items to keep equipment in good condition like whetstones, pots and such to cook food we hunt, hunting traps if we stay somewhere for a length of time, etc...

And honestly, some trade supplies might not be a bad idea to at least give off a merchant vibe to help us blend in as long as we can.

Or am I reading too much into it?

I don't know why you're against my elephants my friend :P

I like the rest of what you've got to say.

As for my elephant. They are commonplace in this setting and where we are going. I was going to acquire some barrels for water as well. Here, I'll just send my list I sent the gm so you can see what I'm thinking.

In reply to Alekos Eclipse (msg # 264):

They're big, they eat a lot, and they attract attention.

3 things I don't think we want right now.

Right now. I see no IC posts. Let’s keep planning in OOC and once we have a plan start doing IC posts.

One thing also to consider, animals can eat the brush, feed for them is smart but they can eat the brush.

Also, idk if I established what season it was but I will designate the season and date now and make a thread to track time, date, and weather on the trek.

Season late Spring. May 10th (on my phone so I can’t remember what Year it is)

In my opinion the more you think this through the funner it will be. For everyone.

I haven’t fact checked Alekos yet on costs but they seem to be on par.

As trade goods go. Giants like anything they can’t find or make themselves. I think knowing which trade supplies to carry is an RP moment. We can do in the future/soon.

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 266):

Should we make an OOC planning thread to keep the general discussion thread "clean"?

Ok....lots discussed while I slept.

The premise of a travelling entertainment groups a good one, but remember we are travelling to the north where most good aligned people are nomads (due to roving monsters)

Merchants would be a more profitable cover and more common up with the giants....I think they'd rather trade than see a show. In saying that, there is no reason there can't be a merchant using an elephant...they can carry rare stone so if you REALLY want an elephant, you can have one.

My opinion.

But I am happy with either option