CH. 01 - Road to Icewind Dale

[GreyWolfVT]

Drezden merely ignores the woman "That aint entirely true. Without adventurers bad folk still do bad things, who would you blame that on then? The authorities?" the dwarf ranger says with sarcasm. "Believe what you want to Dell, I don't see anything wrong with it. But not all adventurers are like the tales of Elminster or Drizzt or even the knights."

[Dram]

Jaxle- I became a adventurer to make coin and help people. The trouble has already begun when I am called upon. He sees the women raises an eyebrow. I am Jaxle well met My Lady.

[Rax]

"Lady," Malavar acknowledges the newcomer with a formal bow. "I am Malavar Mantice, late of Tethyr. I serve the Lord of Battles and I have no interesting in causing trouble - my purpose is rather to help others prepare for it. May I ask, what became of your ship?"

[Daos]

"Over here, Dell," Rafferty calls.  "Still got real work to do."  With reluctance, Dell moves to help his uncle with the horses.  "I've told you before, don't glamorize adventurers," Rafferty tells him.  "They aren't reliable.  They see good honest work, like guarding caravans, as beneath 'em.  As soon as they find something more interesting and exciting, they'll probably bugger off and leave us behind.  Now stop thinking about dragons and faeries and get your head out of the clouds."

MALAVAR:  "May I ask, what became of your ship?"

Taska sighs and shrug.  "Mutiny.  My own first mate turned the crew against me and ran me off.  But mark my words, I'll one day get that ship back.  Remember my name now, lads, because one day they'll sing about it from every tavern in Luskan once I become a High Captain."

[GreyWolfVT]

Drezden lets Dell rush off to work and listens to the captain talk "Only captain I heard about is Captain Deudermont pirate hunter or so I'd heard. Captains a ship called Sea Sprite an hunts pirates so I'd heard. Other than that I don't keep up on much to do with sea faring not really into riding the waves so to speak I prefer dry land."

[Daos]

"Deudermont?" Taska asks.  "I know of him.  We always...steered clear of him when we could."

After a few minutes, the horses are attached to the wagons and the supplies are loaded. Master Peddywinkle comes around the corner toward the group. "“Ah my friends, I see you are punctual. I like that. Everything seems to be in order here, so take your positions and let us be on our way.”"

With that, he climbs up into the back of the first wagon and drops the flap.

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(OOC:  There are two wagons, both pulled by a pair of draft horses.  The first wagon is driven by Rafferty and is Peddywinkle's personal wagon.  The second is driven by Dell and holds the supplies for this expedition, a well as the cargo Peddywinkle hopes to trade.  Everyone let me know the marching order you want.)

[GreyWolfVT]

Drezden goes with the first wagon "Eh well sounds like interesting work none the less maybe if I were to sail I'd take up pirate hunting." the dwarf ranger says then just sort of shrugs showing he's not even sure how true that statement really presently. "Eh well that is to say it sounds interesting." 

OOC: sorry if that was a "name drop". I figured that would be of no import to the game anyway so was safe to use the name.

[Rax]

Malavar mounts Onyx and takes up a position next to the first wagon. "This caravan could use an outrider, I think."

OOC: I.e. Malavar is staying close to the first wagon, but he can easily ride ahead to scout.

[Dallion80]

Dallion remains quiet thru the exchange he didn't like ships nor knew anything about them. He followed the others out and along the road.

[Daos]

With that, the party sets off, staying on the road to Targos.  Malavar, riding upon Onyx, often rides ahead to keep an eye out for danger or obstacles.  Drezden and Jack stay close to the first wagon, while Dallion and Maple stay close to the second.  Jaxle and Taska, the only ones without horses or mules, take up the rear.

The first eight days of their journey pass without incident.  Indeed, the largest threat the group faces is boredom.  This is, at least so far, turning out to be the easiest pay they have ever earned.  The most excitement they face is on the third day, when one of the wagon wheels on the second wagon break.  But it is a small delay--Peddywinkle had the foresight to bring a spare, so after Rafferty changes it, they are on their way again.

Peddywinkle and Rafferty largely keep to themselves.  If engaged, Peddywinkle will politely discuss the weather, or local politics, or talk about what items he hopes to trade once in Targos, but for the most part he keeps a professional distance from the others.  He is their employer, not their friend, and while he is never rude or insulting, there is a coldness that makes it hard to get closer to him.  Rafferty, on the other hand, makes his distaste for adventurers well known and has little to say to the party that isn't required to do his job.

Dell, however, almost never stops talking.  All day while traveling and at night when resting, he pesters the party about their many experiences and adventures.  In particular, he is interested in Drezden's time in Daggerdale and the man wars and skirmishes that Malavar fought in.  He is also quite entranced with Taska's many tales on the high seas, most of which sound far too fanciful to be entirely true, even to experienced adventurers.  She does tell them quite well, though; nobody can deny that.

They make good time, and while it is spring, the weather turns colder the further north they travel.  Dallion especially, having no cloak, finds himself constantly shivering.  With each day, the Spine of the World mountain range looms closer, the wind gets sharper and the temperature drops.  By the sixth day, they reach the Iceflow river, a very fast moving and cold river.  Luckily, there is a bridge so they can cross over it without a problem.

On the night of the eighth day, the caravan has stopped for the night.  The party has made a campsite and while Dell and Rafferty go about unhitching the horses and patting them down, Peddywinkle says to the others, "Perhaps one or two of you would like to gather some kindling and get a fire going?  I fear it will only get colder, especially at night, as we get further north."

===========

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

Day 01 encounter check (1d10):  10, no encounters

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Day 02 encounter check (1d10):  6, no encounters

1d10

Day 03 encounter check (1d10):  8, no encounters
1d10

Day 04 encounter check (1d10):  6, no encounters

1d10

Day 05 encounter check (1d10):  8, no encounters
1d10
Day 06 encounter check (1d10):  2, no encounters

1d10
Day 07 encounter check (1d10):  3, no encounters
1d10
Day 08 encounter check (1d10):  1, encounter during (1d100):  64, the night (1d8): 
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1d10·1d10·1d10·1d10·1d10·1d10·1d10·1d10·1d100·1d8

[Dallion80]

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[GreyWolfVT]

Drezden Wis (15) NbfqztYh1d201d20

[Rax]

6cSkjBls1d20 vs. Wis 15
1d20

[Daos]

As nobody volunteers, Peddywinkle assigns Malavar, Dallion and Drezden to search the area for kindling to get the fire going.  Taska and Jaxle remain behind to watch over things.

As the three pick up fallen branches and whatever else they can find that will burn, Malavar and Drezden both notice something amiss.  Someone or something is watching them.  A humanoid and man-sized, but beyond that details are scarce at this distance.  The figure watches the camp from behind a treeline some 500 yards to the east of them.

[Dram]

Jaxle

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