CH. 01 - Road to Icewind Dale

[Rax]

"For certain, unless Captain Taska has grown tired of my company already," Malavar replies with a wink.

[Daos]

"Not at all," Taska replies.  "But do try and tear your eyes from me at least now and again this time," she teases.

After a hearty meal, the watches begin, the same as before.  Fortunately, nothing else bothers them that night.

The eleventh day passes without incident, as well.

On the morning of the twelfth day, the trail before them begins to climb slowly but steadily, and great slabs of stone begin to replace the fields and trees at the sides of the trail—--perfect hiding places for potential ambushes--—while other great outcroppings hang precariously above them. Still, the trail remains fairly smooth and straight, and the wagons roll along uphill.

Tension and alertness are high during this point in the journey, as everyone keeps their senses sharp.  There is far less talking and laughter than normal, as a result.  The temperature continues dropping, as well.

As they continue their climb of the pass, they notice that the slopes are sparsely covered with trees, mostly pines. Mountain laurel flourishes here, forming a never-ending carpet across the slopes. Where the flora fails to find a foothold, the ground is strewn with huge rock formations. The highest slopes are covered with snow and topped by white clouds.

At the end of the group's second day in the pass, the thirteenth day, Peddywinkle calls for the camp to be set on the eastern side of the pass near a shallow pool amidst some trees.  As usual, Dell works at brushing down the horses, Rafferty (now fully healed again after his ordeal with the hoar foxes), starts unloading the supplies needed and Peddywinkle asks the party to search for firewood and get a fire going, as well as restock their water skins and barrels at the pool.

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(OOC:  Can I get a WIS check from everyone?)

1d10·1d10·1d10·1d10N3z80b6k

[GreyWolfVT]

Dezden wis check kbSobdFu1d201d20

[Rax]

"My eyes shall perceive nothing but the black of night, Captain," Malavar replies with an elegant bow.

Wisdom check vs. 15 vFJDa0jB1d20

1d20

[Daos]

The party gathers up some firewood and gets a fire going.  Rafferty collects some food out of the back of the supply wagon so they can start cooking up a meal.

"I am not sure I like the look of this valley we are in," Krah says.  "Perfect place for an ambush.  Is there no other path?"

"None that the horses and wagons could get through," Peddywinkle answers.  "But that is why I hired this group as protection, after all."

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Krah makes a WIS check (1d20):  15, fail.

xqHZw7I|1d20

Taska makes a WIS check (1d20):  17, fail.

1d20

(OOC:  Okay then!  Unless Dallion or Jaxle make their WIS checks, I guess nobody notices anything strange.)

1d20·1d20

[Dram]

Jaxle starts collecting firewood. At the same time looking for any tracks or movement anywhere.


Wisdom(10)B0hh_3K81d201d20

[Daos]

As Jaxle is collecting firewood, his keen eyes notice what looks like, at first glance, a partially buried bone about two feet from the pool's shore.

[Dram]

Jaxle- Puts the kindling down slowly draws his sword and moves slowly away from the pool. This not a safe location. I think we should move camp something is living in the water. There are bones laying in the water here. 

[Rax]

"Leave? Because of bones in the water? Come now Jaxle, that pool hardly looks deep enough to be hiding any especially fierce predator."

[GreyWolfVT]

Drezden furrows his brow "Moving came doesn't sound like a bad idea. I would be concerned about bones in the water as well something big is eating things and I'd prefer not to be the next course of the meal."

[Daos]

Approaching closer, Malavar and Drezden can see that the 'bone' Jaxle is speaking about is not in the water at all, but partially buried in the ground a couple of feet from the shore of the shallow pool.

"Perhaps we should investigate the surrounding area, to be safe?" asks Krah.

[Rax]

"Probably wise, Krah. Perhaps you, Jaxle and Drezden could scout around the pool. I'll have a look at that 'bone' while Captain Taska and Dallion secure the camp?"

[GreyWolfVT]

Drezden nods his head "Sounds like a plan to me." the ranger says then begins scouting the area.

[Daos]

While Taska and Dallion help secure the campsite, Drezden, Krah and Jaxle begin searching the nearby area.  They find the remains of a destroyed wagon just north of the pool. In a depression near the wagon are 18 bodies: three of them are well dressed, four are dressed more like adventurers, in leathers or chain mail, six are dressed more shabbily, like peasants or probably more accurately, teamsters.  And there are also five goblins among them.  All of the bodies have been stripped clean of anything valuable, as has the wagon, though it appears the battle occurred less than a day ago, if that.

Meanwhile, Malavar digs up the 'bone' and examines it.  It turns out it is not a bone at all, but rather an ivory scroll case.  It does not appear very weathered, suggesting it has not been here very long.

[GreyWolfVT]

Drezden suggests "We should check for anything useful to us and see if any rations or food were left on the wagon." then he begins searching for items on the dead that might be of use to the team and their employer.