Thromm watched the man go and nodded, "That was well done. Should he truly turn his cloak, I'll buy him a beer next I see him. What was that village he mentioned? Crystal Lake or summut? Might seek it out."

His gaze then shifted up to the peak again and he made a grumpy sound. "Seems that a climb and some rough stuff is in our futures, eh? Zenphar, can you scout ahead for us? I've a fine eye but I'm about as silent as a fart at a funeral." He grinned at his own rough humor and then looked around at the group which had distilled from their initial sortie.

He hefted his axe quickly before restoring it its loop then touching gingerly at his chest where the arrow had struck. "Though, a bit of a rest wouldn't go amiss, for sure."

"That I can. But I worry that we are now walking into a trap. This sorceress, Torgal knows, through her bird, where we are, how many we are, and what weapons we use. No doubt her defences will be prepared.

But, I have no alternative!

If we're resting, I suggest we get into the trees and stay hidden."

---

Have we already done one short rest since we left the Keep on this trip? I have 1 HD marked off, but I don't recall when I used it.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:20, Wed 26 Jan 2022.

Tegan nodded upon hearing Zenphar speak of resting. "I am not badly injured," he replied, "but I could use a few moments to tend to the wound that I suffered in the recent dust-up."

---

OOC: I don't believe that we have taken advantage of a rest during the hunt for Black Torgal, and that some short-rest healing might be beneficial for several of the party-members.

Once the decision is confirmed to rest up; Zenphar will start dragging the bodies of the bandits into the trees.

He will then look for a spot away from the corpses that remains hidden from view, in case Torgal sends another bird to spy on them.

---

Zenphar rolled 11 using 1d10+2 for 1 Hit Dice - assuming the rest is completed without disturbance.

Once the party agreed to rest, Thromm found a stout tree with low branches, tucked himself beneath it, folded his hands across his paunch, and was soon snoring softly.

---

16:14, Today: Thromm rolled 8 using 1d8+2.  short rest. Should be full.

Noting that Zenphar had taken up a position as look-out once he had seen to his wounds, Tegan felt comfortable taking a moment to bind his own wound. He sat down and put his back up against a nearby tree, and got to work.

When he was done he still felt a slight bit of pain, but he felt much better. After a moment's thought, he touched his shoulder and used a small portion of Lathander's healing boon to ease the last bit of pain.

---

OOC:

13:54, Today: Tegan rolled 4 using 1d10+2 with rolls of 2.  Short-Rest Healing.

He will Lay on Hands to heal the final two remaining Hit Points.

Notes: Tegan was not quite fully healed after using the Short-Rest Hit Die, but he was close. I decided to save the second die of Short-Rest healing in case it is needed after the coming dust-up (unless Zenphar is successful in convincing Black Torgal and her minions to come along quietly and accept what's coming to them, of course); and had him use Lay on Hands to top off his Hit Points. :)
This message was last edited by the player at 01:36, Tue 14 Dec 2021.

"Very well," Nthanda said when the decision was made.  She found the bole of a tree within sight of the others and wrapped herself in her cloak crouching down into it, trying her best to keep out of sight, and out of direct sunlight.  Though resting she keeps alert, eyes and ears open.

---

20:30, Today: Nthanda rolled 17 using 1d20+2.  Stealth, just in case.

Ukhtusk didn't move far from where he had squatted during the interrogation, nor did he say much except, at one point, "Refreshing."

His spear was gleaming.

---

OOC:
14:17, Yesterday: Ukhtusk rolled 10 using 1d10+2.  HD Rest.

Back to full HP, regain Action Surge, Second Wind.

Once everyone was rested the group moves out again.  The forest becomes much thicker as you move up the slope of the mountain.  Even though there are no signs of humanoid activity in the area the forest is filled with noises.  You heard the hooting a hunting birds, the scurrying of squirrels, rabbits and other small rodents, and the sweet tunes of song birds.  The peacefulness of the forest made stark contrast to the bloody battle earlier in the day.

Zenphar and anyone else trying to work out an easy path up the mountain, can I get a DC15 Wisdom (survival) test?

Zenphar looks for signs of a path leading through the forested mountain to the bandit camp.

---

Zenphar rolled 7 using 1d20+4 for WIS (Survival).
The dice roller continues to mock Zenphar!

Tegan was a city boy, born and raised. So his woodland skills left much to be desired. He thought he remembered hearing somewhere that the forest-dwelling animals oft-times made paths through the woods, so he spent a little time looking for one, thinking that it might make for easier travel.

But each tree looked very much like all the others to his eye, and he was unable to spot anything that looked like it might be a trail through the trackless undergrowth.

---

OOC:

12:19, Today: Tegan rolled 2 using 1d20.  Wisdom Check re: Path up the Mountain.

Comments: Well . . . it seems that Zenphar and Tegan have left plenty of good rolls in the Dice-Roller for anyone else who wants to give it a try. :)

Zenphar stood in the path scratching his head when Ukhtusk walked by munching on an apple. The halforc stopped momentarily and said, pointing, “How bout that way,” before strolling ahead up the now-obvious easy route up the mountain.

---

OOC:
13:49, Today: Ukhtusk rolled 17 using 1d20+3.  Wis (Survival).

I love how this dice roller is building relationships.

:D

While Zenphar looked for path to the summit that would give the group the best chance of staying unseen, Ukhtusk found a path that was much more straightforward.  The path was very similar to the halforc that found it, it was simple and straightforward but unlikely to subtle.

You have choice, take the path Zenphar found with a very good chance of staying hidden but will take few hours and result in a level of exhaustion, or take Ukhtusk's path it is much quiker but will be harder to stay hidden and there will be no level of exhaustion.
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:33, Fri 17 Dec 2021.

"That path is easier and faster Ukhtusk...but we will spotted easily. This other path is harder, but we will remain out of sight...and you know that I will always lean to stealth!"
This message was last edited by the player at 01:20, Wed 26 Jan 2022.

Tegan glanced at the paths that Ukhtusk and Zenphar had spotted. After studying them for a moment, he turned and said "Normally, I would vote for the more stealthy route."

"But in this instance, I vote for the more straightforward path. The bandits are most likely expecting us already due to Black Torgal's magicks, and I mislike losing the time that I suspect 'twould be needed in order to traverse the slower route."

Nthanda considered for a moment and then nodded as Tegan spoke.  "We lost the initiative already, but I prefer not to give them more time to prepare.  We shall have to be very alert and cautious," she says agreeing with the faster path.

Thromm looked around slowly then shrugged and grinned, "I've been on record as disliking stealth. This time, that stance actually has some tactical advantage." Thromm slapped his paunch and then started moving toward the more open but quicker trail. He'd change course should the others choose that though.

"Short and direct, it is!" Zenphar says, acquiescing to the majority.

"Nthanda, I suggest we let the metal-armoured, lead the way." the ranger adds, as he follows Thromm on the chosen path. He keeps as close to the left edge, bow in one hand, and a spinning arrow in the other.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:20, Wed 26 Jan 2022.

Ukhtusk is content walking along the easy route, but he keeps his shield loose on its strap, ready to raise it against the inevitable arrows. Not that he minded arrows too much.

The march to the peak of the mountain took about 40 minutes.  There was a natural path, a break in the trees, leading to the summit.  About fifty feet ahead of you is the campsite.  In the group you see five bandits carrying spears, another five with short bows. Near the campfire is a woman in cloak made of feathers with black longbow and an elven woman in black furs.


Let me know where you would like to be on the map, and make a stealth check.

Nthanda keeps her distance for the moment, keeping to the treeline along the left side of the path, and observing the camp.  She watches the woman in the raven cloak, presumably Torgal, most closely.

---

I think she will stay in X-7 for now.  She knows Sleep spell, and though a bit nerfed in 5e, still an AoE spell that could be useful.

21:34, Today: Nthanda rolled 14 using 1d20+2.  Steealth.

Tegan tried to sneak up fairly close to the nearest bandit, and still stay within cover. He deemed it likely that sooner or later one of his companions would be spotted, and the battle would begin. But, regardless of what triggered the fight,  he was close enough to easily close to sword-stroke range. His shield was readied, and his sword was in hand . . .

---

OOC:

Tegan will set up in Square O-10, and will attempt to use the cover provided by the trees and undergrowth.

22:42, Today: Tegan rolled 10 using 2d20+2, dropping the highest dice only with rolls of 11,8.  Stealth (w/ Disadvantage due to Chain Mail).

~~ Stay behind tree. They hate that. Then move to other tree. ~~

Ukhtusk clomped from one trunk to the next. Those close by could hear him muttering: "Tree, tree, tree, tree, tree, tree, tree, attack."

---

OOC:

22:54, Today: Ukhtusk rolled 5 using 2d20-1, dropping the highest dice only.  "Stealth", as it were.

The clearing comes into view unexpectedly, and Zenphar eyes narrow as he sees two women in black.

As he nocks are arrow he whispers to Nthanda, "Does a Torgal have fur or feathers?"

---

Take a position in W7.
Zenphar rolled 24 for Initiative.
Zenphar rolled 10 for Stealth.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:21, Wed 26 Jan 2022.

Thromm was roughly in the same basket as his orcine friend. Thoguh eh tried his best to remain quiet and unobtrusive, the bulk and nature of his armor betrayed him. As such, he focused as much as he could on it while advancing through the cover of trees. If he was one to give the group away, let him at least have cover while doing so. In his hands were his cross bow, which he hoped ot use to down an opponent before they could do much. The numbers he was getting a look at through the trees had a knot as hard as iron growing in his stomach. If they could not put those numbers back to closer to their favor rapidlky, this was going to go poorly.

---

Thromm rolled 9 using 2d20+1, keeping the lowest dice only with rolls of 8,16.  stealth.

Thromm is heading for a space hear Tegan. Keep the fighters grouped together to prevent flanking as best as possible.