You find yourself on the lush High Road that connects the Northern Portion of the Sword Coast to the Southern Portion. All of you are riding in the wagon and is more spacious then you had anticipated. Although the ride is not luxurious it is not uncomfortable. Other travelers are on the road with you and you feel somewhat safe traveling the High Road being a higher foot traffic area than some of the frontier roads. You think that it would be foolish given the number of people traveling that bandits would risk an attack.


OOC: How do you travel: Who's driving the team, are you taking shifts maybe you stop and camp at night?
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:17, Fri 03 Apr 2020.

[OOC]  I am skilled with animal handling, and have no issue driving.

Are we playing the bard as an NPC/arrow sponge?  Propose him and the ranger as outwalkers, unless that makes our pace too slow.

I also do a cursory inspection of the load, to make sure it is secured and there is nothing surprising back there.
Recommend we camp down an hour or so before twilight, feed and care for horses, and make camp about 200 yards off the road in locations that are defensible, and offer a vantage point for watches, if any.

[OOC]  Best I can reckon, it is 45 miles to the Phandalin trail, and a total of 75 miles from Neverwinter to Phandalin.

I assume we can make the crossroads in 3-4 days, assuming good weather and no interruptions.

As there was no undue urgency, don't see any reason to cut the apex of the paths.

Strangly enough when you had gone to collect the wagon and supplies the musical fellow was no where to be found.  Perhaps he had finally met that special lady and spent his evening drinking away those coins he haggled for. But when you had pulled out of the gates the bard had still not shown. You are saddened because you feel his musical talent could have been an asset to pass the time on the high road. Alas you push your wagon on at a trot. An easy pace for the powerful beasts but still faster than abything you could manage on foot.

Making camp before twilight you push off the High Road as far as you can get with the wagon which is only about 15 meters before trees and terrain begin to make it difficult and tou start to lose traveling time. The evening is quite though but your bellies are warmed with whatever liquor you were all able to ppo urchase before leaving the city. Again the evening passage is difficult without the song and music of the bard.

Despite the terrain becoming more difficult, Imbert is able to lead the party a little further into the woods than you would have though possible.  After the animals are seen to, he heads off into the woods and returns just after full dark with a few roots, leaves and berries.

[OoC]; 08:59, Today: Imbert Keenbinder rolled 18 using 1d20+4.  Survival.  My Natural Explorer terrain is forest.  Survival check for a good campsite, foraging and looking for tracks while exploring.

Bandalor observes the area, taking lead from Imbert and choosing a perch that affords as much view as possible of approaching danger.

13:09, Today: Bandolous Armonthor rolled 18 using 1d20 Intelligence against a Nature Check:  to recall lore about terrain, plants and animals, the weather, and natural cycles.

Unpacking some field kitchen from his pack, he offers "I have some Calishite spices that should season road rations nicely."

You set camp and collect the evening meal. The Horses get settled and the provisions are handed out. The camp fire is ablaze and reminds you of what it is like to be on the open road yet again. Then a figure appears standing on the edge of your fire light. There is a glint of light in his eyes. Is it supernatural or is it a reflection of the fire itself. He looks around the camp for a moment as if counting how many are in your party. He looks wanting at your water skins, then from under his robes emerge four dressed rabbits.

"Mind if I share your fire and your booze for the evening friends. I have rabbits I can contribute to the meal," the man says looking less supernatural now since you first laid eyes on him moments ago and obviously awaiting your answer.

Looking to the rest of the group, Bandalor is inclined to invite the stranger closer to the fire.  Years on the march have made him sympathetic to misfits, weirdos, and other castoffs...  especially after a skin of wine.

22:36, Today: Bandolous Armonthor rolled 10 using 1d20+3 ((7)).

Studying the newcomer, Bandalor asks:  "Well met, Friend.  Where would the light of morning find your recent travels?"

"Imbert Keenbinder." he introduces himself.  "It is always best to honest folk to gather in number on the road.  Please join our fire."

"Well met friends!  I am Jaskier the travelling bard on my way to Phandalin.  I'm seeking fame and adventure after my last companion tired of my friendship and stranded me without horse or drink a few days ago.  I'm afraid I'm a better entertainer than chef.  Would someone like to prepare the rabbits while I play some tunes on my flute?
This message was last edited by the player at 21:42, Sat 04 Apr 2020.

“Well met, Jaskier!  Bandalor, long ere of Tethyr.  Always looking for a sunrise, but usually sleeping in.”  He states sardonically, and pushes forward his wineskine with one hand, and indicating his Lathanderite symbol with the other.

Reaching for the rabbits, “Happy to prepare these, but mayhap we share tales of the road rather than pipe tunes? “

Gwen had arrived for the departure on time, but slightly rushed and more than slightly hung over. She wore a full length travelling cape with a high collar and an absurdly oversized cavalier's hat with a gray plume. Under it all, her favorite purple velvet doublet was freshly steamed, and she'd picked up a new linen blouse, had her boots polished, and crammed her satchel with cheeses, sausages, and several bottles whose wax-sealed necks protruded.

She had passed the hours of the first travel day rattling on about obscure trivia, recounting tales of old Neverwinter from her grandpop, and posing questions to the group about their hopes and dreams for Phandalin. Surely some of the group was at least a little relieved when she announced that with her Gnomish night vision she'd take first watch after dark and then promptly fell asleep under her gigantic hat.

[OoC: back to present tense...]

When Bandalor and Imbert welcome the stranger into the circle of firelight, she shrugs, but eyes the rabbits hungrily and starts improvising a spit. She joins in on the round of pleasantries with a "nice to meetcha, I'm Gwen!" but perks up her interest when Bandalor turns the talk to the road.

"Well, Jaskier... Phandalin isn't exactly a premiere travel destination... from what I hear, it's a little shabby and too far from everywhere. What's taking you that direction?" She props herself against a log and starts filling a long-stemmed pipe with pungent tobacco, realizing that it's a question she hasn't really asked of anyone in the group.

[OoC: Welcome Jaskier! Also, sorry for the weekend lull... I'll be more consistent M-F.]