OOC: I think we will gather a bit more food and water, leave the horse behind and head back out as before on the track of the Picts.

Please make a Track check to see if you can pick up the trail again at the site of the skirmish with the wolves.

OOC: Tracking really isn't my thing :) I'll roll if I must but who else is up for this task? is our huntress still around?

Darakyn is likewise not very skilled at wilderness lore. He looks around, but it all just looks like leaves and mud to him.


08:11, Today: Darakyn Chard rolled 8 using 1d20+1.  Tracking.

Regardless of whether you're trained, it's sometimes better to roll a dice than not to. With Darakyn's roll, everyone should try!

Had they been in his familiar hills and mountains Abdur might have been more at home.  Instead the tangled and overgrown woods threw off his ability to follow a trail.


18:38, Today: Abdur Rahman rolled 7 using 1d20+1.  Track?

11:38, Today: Abbot rolled 11 using 1d20.  Tracking.

(Rolling for a couple other characters: 11:01, Today: Manann, on behalf of Darakyn Chard, rolled 13 using 1d20. 11:02, Today: Manann, on behalf of Epeus, rolled 18 using 1d20.)

Epeus thinks that he's picked up on the trail at the edge of the site of the skirmish, leading further west into the forest.

Abdur is not disturbed by his own failure to find a trail.  These forests were different from his own lands and it turned out that Epeus managed to find a trace.  "Let us go then without the horse this time.  We will be deep in the forest and such a beast although valued will only be a hindrance."

OOC: Makes sense if we just already left it behind at the fort. Fan-Hee can care for it when she is back on her feet.

"Let's follow the tracks and see where they lead," growls Darakyn. He's angry that the wolves bested them so easily and badly hurt the girl. He likes girls. And now he wants to hit Picts. Hard.

"Time's wasting."

(I think Shaharazara's out of the game. I messaged Sept. 8 asking if they were dropping to no response, and they haven't logged in since Aug. 14. So, no horse, and we can say they're at the fort until they return.)

The party moves west further into the forest, following the trail spotted by Epeus. Not too far further -- perhaps 10 minutes walking -- into the thick woods, the group comes across the carcass of a large deer.

Abdur holds up his hand at the sight of the deer carcass.  "Cover me while I investigate." Expecting a trap of sorts Abdur advances to about 15 feet from the carcass while keeping to cover as best he can.

As Abdur approaches, the coppery tang of fresh blood reaches his nostrils. He can hear the buzzing of flies attracted to the dead animal.

Darakyn takes up a watchful position partially concealed by a tree where he can act in case it is a trap. He has his crossbow ready.

Abbot seems indifferent about the beast.

"Take a look if you must, but we should not linger."

No threats present themselves as the party approaches, maintaining cover and defensive postures. Flies buzz.

Abdur will approach very warily.  He'll examine the corpse of the deer.

(Please make a Perception check: D20 + Wisdom modifier.)

Abdur approaches warily to examine the corpse of the deer.

Distracted by the situation Abdur looks about as best he can.


20:28, Today: Abdur Rahman rolled 2 using 1d20.  Perception.

Abdur examines the carcass. It seems to be that of a large deer, recently dead, and perhaps downed by another animal.

Abdur turns back to the others. "It looks like a predator kill but why it is left here.  Let us continue our trail and catch these Picts."

Abbot crosses his arms impatiently. It was as he expected and now knowing for certain does not   alleviate his restlessness. He begins down the trail along side the others and hopes for no further delays.

The party continues along the faint path through the trackless forest, soon nearing the river almost due west of Fort Drethil. The trees fade to a clearing, open cleared space around what appears to be a modest homestead.

A small cabin is still smoldering, dark smoke snaking lazily up into the still midday air. An adjacent barn remains standing.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:21, Fri 09 Oct 2020.

Chard readies his crossbow and looks around carefully for signs of life before approaching the barn.

OOC: Does the fire look recent (past hour or two) or older (yesterday)? Were they able to see the smoke as they approached? Did it change -- get lighter slowly, etc?