6.1 On to Graythicket

[harknail]

After loading up with supplies, and after Flerx makes arrangements for the remaining Iron Cobras to be finished, the group heads off towards Graythicket forest, along with other points of interest along the way and beyond. The Graythicket forest is about 5 days travel away. The first day passes uneventfully. Although the goblin city of Sarnath isn't large enough to team the surrounding area, the group manages to avoid any wild animals that would like to make a meal of them.

It is when the group is making camp the first night that Flerx was able to demonstrate the full extent of her expertise. Selecting a campsite that the others would have missed completely, she sits up the camp in such a way that it will be difficult to spot while making it easier for anyone standing watch to notice something approaching.
+3 to all Perception and Stealth made through the night

She does leave it up to Zem to set up the watches. Neither of the constructs (Harknail or the Iron Cobra) need to sleep, so those 2 could take all watches if desired.

tag all

[(George) 3.5./ ZEM ( 4.0)]

( Im not sure if we set our watches from other times we needed to but he wont really change it up from other times unless the party wants too. Who in the party has Darkvision? I know its bit different in this ed of d&d.)

[harknail]

I don't think we ever set up watches. Harknail has no problem watching all night and would do so whether he's assigned to it or not. But he does not have low-light vision. Neither does Barbatos, but Flerx, Stravanya, and Zem do all have low-light vision.

Because your group includes 2 constructs, you can have 2 members on watch even if everyone else sleeps all night. The other option would be to supplement the constructs by rotating watches among those with low-light vision. That would still get everyone 8 hours of rest, and have a pair of eyes that can see better in the dark. Either way, it looks like Barbatos will get to sleep 12 hours

[(George) 3.5./ ZEM ( 4.0)]

( Ok then lets go with this, assuming harknail does not need sleep and is staying up regardless:

Flerx, an iron cobra and harknail take first watch 4hr

Myself (zem), Harknail and an iron cobra. Take second 4hr

Stravanya, harknail and an iron cobra. Take last. ) 4hrs

[harknail]

Sounds good, I will assume this is your standard pattern for watches unless stated otherwise.

[at]

Barbatos will be up for the first two and last two hours of the watch - giving him 8 hours sleep and time either end to study, cook, and set up/tear down camp.

[Stravanya]

Stravanya goes out hunting for two hours and brings back a feast of rabbit and fruit for the group.

Nature Rolls:
10+10=20 (a day's worth of food and water for 1 person)
10+19= 29 (a day's worth of food and water for 3 people)

[(George) 3.5./ ZEM ( 4.0)]

" Thanks for the food and water. Unlike my elven brothers i never had the nack for it. So here is our list of watches unless any of you object to this ( processed to list off as above.)"

[Stravanya]

OOC: I forgot to mention at the time that Stravanya bought a sling before they left town, sorry. Go ahead and add that to my inventory as well as the distribution of potions among the group that I mentioned earlier.

[(George) 3.5./ ZEM ( 4.0)]

( Does the party encounter anything during the night?)

[harknail]

Nothing disturbs their rest the first night. For those among living standing watches, the watches are long and boring (which is how you want a night watch to be). The most excitement to be had all night was during Stravanya's watch, when she saw some medium sized nocturnal lizards hunting for food. But the hungry lizards did not find the groups camp. For Harknail, who took all 3 watches, the watches were far more interesting than being buried alive for who knows how long. And the Iron Cobra didn't notice the passage of time at all.

OOC: Sorry for the delay, I haven't had chance to make the character updates requested in Stravanya's post. I was trying to get those done before continuing.

[harknail]

Apparently no one was interested in hunting turkeys

One last question, does the group try to keep a campfire burning all night?

Advantages: Provides light and warmth, if attacked you can see what's attacking you once they get close. Tends to keep animals away.

Disadvantages: A camp fire can be seen a LONG ways away, tending to attract a different kind of creature. This might not have mattered before, but Flerx is good at finding campsites providing good concealment (+3 stealth, +3 perception).

Flerx advises letting the campfire burn out after cooking. Also, both Harknail and Barbatos can create light equivalent to a campfire as a minor action. So if the group is attacked, you can turn the light on to see what is attacking.

Tag (esp Zem)

[(George) 3.5./ ZEM ( 4.0)]

" Well you did such a great job hidding us here i see no reason to give ourselves away. We can bundle up if weather gets too cold but ya letting it burn out seams like the best idea."

The party using thier insight he is not just agreeing with her cause he is dating her. Her idea was of course a valid one. As the party knows he has always had the group give imput on things and expects by now if they really feel otherwise they can speak up as to way and he is willing to hear them out on it.

(Did we not already pass the night here in the posts above?)

[harknail]

Yes you did, and the night was uneventful. As was the next day, since no one was interested in hunting turkeys. Now I am working on setting up an encounter for the second night, and I needed know if I should put a lit campfire or an extinguished one on the map

[Stravanya]

I agree with Flerx, we should let the campfire burn out after cooking.

[harknail]

Here's the campground Flex found, lots of cover...
Map (updates as positions change)

SPOILER: Click to show

Things try sneaking up on the 2SD0URzap_1-3 shift: Zem's Shift in the middle of the night.

Harknail perception: p_1-20+5+3+1=13
Iron Cobra perception: p_1-20+4+3+1=10

Look like it's up to Zem to spot the trouble.... Tag Zem for perception roll.

OOC: If I had realized how hard it would be to add a monster (Iron Cobra) as a player, I think I would have had Flerx leave it home... But it's entered now. Unfortunately, there's no way to put it on the campaign status page.

If anyone wants to be in a different spot, let me know...1-3�1-20�1-20

[(George) 3.5./ ZEM ( 4.0)]

Is it possible to go with my passive perception of 22?? Or do i need to roll?


And i think i did take alert feat anyway so im not sure they could sneak up on me, but i know it works a bit different in every ed of D&D.

[harknail]

Your passive perception is now 23, 26 while in camp (Flerx set up camp feat grants +3 stealth and perception bonuses). Sure, you can take 10 if you want. It means you can't roll bad, but you can't roll exceptionally well either.

You are correct, Alertness feat means that you can not be surprised. But that doesn't mean you get enough warning to keep the rest of us from being surprised.

For his watch, instead of actively searching the darkness around them, Zem zones out and takes in the normal sounds of the night. Zem listens to the chirps and thrills of the nocturnal wildlife and insects going about their business when the sounds change. Zem realizes that something is sneaking up on them. Something very good at sneaking. As he comes back to full alertness he realizes that is many somethings trying to move quietly though the outer branches of the trees.

[tag zem]

The area is dimly lit by a crescent moon in the sky. This means all squares are lightly obscured (-2 to hit) for those without low-light vision. The outer squares of each tree are also lightly obscuring even for those with low-light vision (this is not cumulative for those without low light vision). The middle ring of squares in the large tree is heavily obscuring (you need to be next to a creature there to see it and even then it's lightly obscured). The center of each tree is blocking terrain. All tree squares are difficult terrain (except center, which can not be entered). This means that you can't shift into a tree square unless you are shifting multiple squares. Being an Elf means that Zem can shift into a tree square.

The timing is good, since Zem is the only one who can't sleep in his armor. Since he's on watch, he has his armor on.

Map will be updated to show exact positions of attackers after initial reactions.

[harknail]

The pool of water and small bushes are also difficult terrain. The rocks and cliff need an athletics check of 10 to enter.

[(George) 3.5./ ZEM ( 4.0)]

Zem will yellout a warning to the party.

( i dont think im able to send off a lance of faith or my other at will before combat begins, he will if im able to most likly send a lance of faith at the clearest target and i know that bit relitive due to all the cover.)