DreamLyrics™ Play-by-Post Forums Fantasy SKT: The Storm King's Thunder 3J - Leaving Yartar

DM

The travel plan decided on, the group agrees on a set time to depart in the morning at first light, makes final arrangements for supplies to bring along, and everyone heads off to their respective rooms for a good night's rest in a comfortable bed.

The first day's travel awaits.

<Bern>

With the plan set, he went out to get a few supplies. Unfortunately some of the shops were already closed for the night, so he wouldn't be able to 'sleep in'.

He went up to the room, got into bed and went to sleep. He would finish up the 'shopping' in the morning.

Arus

The triton's last breakfast at the Pearl-handled Pipe was savoury oatmeal topped with a hard-boiled egg. With a satisfied smile, he tipped the receptionist as he checked out and paid for the expenses on his room.

And so fuelled, Arus is soon outdoors with his steed saddled and saddlebags loaded up.

The cold Marponeth morning mists the breath and hints at Winter's approach. Most tritons live in the deep sea at a temperature little above freezing so Arus is comfy.

He oversees the loading of the wagon since it carries some Lionshield merchandise bound for Noanar's Hold, then returns to his horse, making sure to bid everyone in the party good morning, one at a time.

Arus's horse is dark bay, a clean-limbed creature with eerily sea blue eyes, neither the fastest or heaviest of warhorses but an exemplary all-rounder and remarkably intelligent for a horse.

He speaks to it in Aquan as the party assembles, agreeing that it will be good to be back on the road but the luxury accommodation will be missed.

"Hark," he says to all when all are present, "tis time we bid farewell to Yartar. Mount up."

Arus mounts up, saying more ironically, "Whatever new dangers await us on the road, least they shan't involve a sewer. Tis a four day ride to the next settlement."

Zindra

She went with the others to fetch her horse and took her place near the front of the group, as she was their guide.

"This road is less traveled and now almost all who travel the road do so in large numbers because the monsters that prey on travelers tend to avoid larger groups," she started. "Our first stop is Calling Horns, which is just a small village with an inn."

[OOC Just whistle up my pet dragon ]

Jaliera

"Not sure I ever want to see a sewer again" she says with feeling. And she is not sad to be saying goodbye to Yartar either. She likes being on the road with her friends. Everyday brings a new experience. There is a freedom to this life.

She mentally sends Whisper aloft to see if there are any signs of trouble on their route out.

<Bern>

He didn't really have anything to add to the discussions, so set about getting his horse packed and ready in silence.

Zhu

Packing her belongings and saddlebags onto her horse, and dressed in her riding gear and hooded cloak, she mounts gracefully and waits for the group to move out.

Davroar

Like Bern, he would have been up late and then up early to be getting last minute items with new cold-weather clothes, hide armour, two pairs of boots, wool socks, gloves, and a new fur-lined cloak. Running late he is probably the last to arrive, out of breath, and trying to stuff some dried fruit bread into his small pack. If there is any other food vendors along their way out of the city he will probably stop at each to buy what he can that he would unlikely find by hunting.

DM

When the party has saddled up, they start making their way out of town in the order they'd discussed, with Zindra and Bern leading the way, Kriv and Sindar following, Davroar and Jaliera next, and with Arus and Zhu bringing up the rear.

It takes a bit longer to actually leave the town as they pass a few shops and tents selling wares some of them might want to supplement their stores with, as merchants along the closer to the edge of the town cater to travelers (and enjoy a slight premium on the price for their convenience).

As the sun slowly rises ahead of them, the day warms a bit.

Whisper flies ahead and there doesn't seem to be anyone on the road ahead of them... for now.

Plenty of time for conversation or, for the bard in the party... possibly a song?

[Has anyone been in touch with Pandemonium recently? I haven't, and well-remembered Nep, he was still poorly last he posted. Worrying! Hope he's OK.

Also, iirc Davroar and Jaliera drive the wagon, is that right?]

Arus

The brown wastes to the north are shrouded in early morning mist as the party takes the Evermoor Way east.

To the south are highlands that could hide a host of foes but it's only after Calling Horns that they'll skirt the water-logged bogs of Evermoor itself.

At least if they're attacked by any more giants they should have plenty of warning. They'd look pretty silly trying to hide in the short grass.

A thought suddenly occurs to Arus as he's riding along at a smooth rack.

"This is the farthest inland I have ever been." he said, "Have any of you come this far east before?"

[[ what wagon?? <g> ]]

<Bern>

He studied the area as they traveled. It was new to him.

He looks over at Arus as he commented. "New to me too", he said with a grin.

Davroar

Happy to be back outside of the town, he will be doing a brisk walk enjoying the views too. This area is all new to since Davroar traveled part ways west from Narfell via the coast line of the Sea of the Fallen Stars. To answer Arus he simply says to him,
"I'm from Narfell. It's about as east as one can get in Faerûn."

[OOC I Pmd Pande over a week ago, no reply Do you need a skill to drive a cart? ]

[[ well ... I'm not the GM, but getting a cart to move does not normally take a lot of skill. Making it go where and how you want =does= take some skill <g> ]]

(OOC - OK, when did we get a cart and why do we have one?)

[Iirc we had one for that Roll20 combat vs the ogres and giants. So I'm assuming we still have it but I could be wrong.

If driving a wagon uses a skill, it's probably Animal Handling. Davroar has a +7!! And Jaliera has a +2. So they're a decent crew.]

(iirc it wasn't our cart. We were just escorting supplies to Triboar and we turned it over at the caravanserai. Then we acted as guards for a caravan of wagons, again not our wagons, travelling to Yartar. As far as I know we are now footloose and fancy free, unencumbered by wagons or carts..... )

[Dang, Pandemonium's Covid passport must have all the stamps!! I'm very very glad he's recovering.

As for horses, Arus has Find Steed spell which takes care of him.

I guess we can have a wagon if we want one. Do we want one? Could be used as a camper, I guess.]

(OOC - Too slow and no offroading. I vote no.)

[[ Fell better buddy ... and quit relapsing!! Ya know they don't give bonus points for that ... right? <weg>

As to the wagon question ... do we have anything to move that would require that level of 'cartage'?? ]]

[ooc: If we are not needing to haul any goods anymore then I agree we do not need bring a wagon. Davroar will just walk. He can do his wild shape if he has to keep up with horse riders in the group if a situation arises.]

[No wagon or cart then. Works for me too. ]

[OOC Jaliera is not buying a horse. She can ride Davroar if needed ]