Questions answered, together once again
Subject: Turn
Sorry about no turn last night. Concert got a late start (after 8:30) and we did not get home until almost 11:30. Am busy most of the day but will try and get something out tonight.
From: Mark
Subject: Turn
Ok I am home. Working on a turn now.
From: Mark
Subject: Questions answered
The town is several hours wagon ride to the east. Salix did not see any decent sized river or lake any where near.
This is in the higher latitudes. Think middle Canada. It is late spring, IIRC, so the days are getting longer. However it is now about 10:30. The party got to the estate around 9, and it was just getting dark. It gets light around 6:30 or so.
From: Mark
Subject: Questions answered
Well Salix thinks the woods are about 12 miles due south. Remember the Great North Woods are due south for everything around here.
At a move speed of 20 that will take 6 hours to get to. I am not going to let the party hustle do to the light conditions for the humans/halfling and the presence of Acer.
From: Mark
Subject: Questions answered
Yes you have been going since late afternoon. That is when the party got up from "resting" and preparing spells/prayers.
From: Bryan
Subject: Questions answered
I cannot speak for everyone else here, but I used to hike in the woods all the time. It does slow you down, but you're hardly blind. With someone that has night vision (in the elven sense of the word ;) to guide, one would expect the party to be able to manage a decent clip.
My apologies for my silence of late - I was preoccupied with travel and a few other concerns.
Using the rope trick is a good idea, but it does kind of tie us up (Ha!) if the party is attacked while half of us are penned up in an area with a single small exit.
From: Mark
Subject: together once again
The party takes quick stock of their situation. "Salix said" says Harp "that the Great North Woods is due south about 12 miles or so. I think we should head out now and put as much distance as we can between us and this estate. The more ground those troops have to search the better chance we have of getting away." Ally agrees "That rope trick of mine only lasts for 7 hours and at least two of us would not fit, so I think we should move while we can." "I'll lead" Mund says.
Harp bristles at the barbarians assumption. "Can you see in the dark, human? You'll trip over your own feet and then we will have to carry you. I'll lead." Mund gets up in the ½ orc's face "Can you find a path? You'll lead us into a dead fall or a pit, not know how to move in the wild." Ragnar pushes between them, using his bulk to separate the two "Stop it you two, this is no time for seeing who the bigger man is. Mund, can you hide a trail in the dark?" The barbarian nods. "Harp, can you follow where Salix leads in his animal form?" Harp nods. "Good, then it is settled. Harp follows Salix and clears the way for the rest of us slow pokes. Mund, see what you can do to hide our path. I know it'll be tough in the dark, but you are the best person to do it and you can catch up when you are done." Mund and Harp both nod grudgingly and move to take their places.
The party heads out. The going is slow. Surin tries his best to keep up but the going is tough in the dark. Even Ally finds it difficult to maintain a steady pace. Ragnar carries Acer, his feet giving him a solid base. After a couple of hours the party calls a halt and Salix lands quietly in the middle of the party. His from wavers and he flows back into his normal shape. "This is going to take too long. We've only covered 3 miles and it is just after midnight. Any ideas?"
OODM: It is just after midnight. The party is still about 9 miles from the woods. Actions, suggestions, ideas?
From: Mark
Subject: Questions answered
When I say blind, I mean in relation to how fast you can move. My opinion is that when moving over unfamiliar ground, while the possiblilty of pursuit is likely, going full speed is a problem.
There is also the fact that this is over ground with no path or road. The PHB shows that the overland speed for this type of movement gets a 3/4 mulitplier for your speed since it is trackless. You are not trying to use any roads or known paths. You are sacrificing speed for not being observed.
I know that there are many members who can see in the dark, but there are 4 members who can not and one of them only moves at 20 on the best day. One of those who can see in the dark also only moves at 20, at best(both becuase of his armor and his size).
Ragnar still makes a a lot of noise in his plate armor.