Re: 5 Peonu 720

[Kugald Daas]

"Ah, good and bad. Good, I think this is the small river that flows into the Froya near Soliheim. We past it when we sailed up river to Froyaheim. If my sense of direction is correct, we are getting closer to home. Bad, we are close to Soliheim, a decent size thran and close to Froyaheim, that means it will be crawling with Ibanvaalese. So, we can't go east to find a crossing point."

Kugald looks upstream and gestures with his left hand.

"I think our best bet is upstream. It is deeper into the woods, and further away from the enemy. I say we start seriously looking for shelter for the night. Once we have camped and eaten, we can decide on the best course of action for tomorrow."

"Barak, you seem to be having the best luck finding us shelter. Lead on. We need to stop before it gets too dark."

TTYL

- Kerry

[Jurri Grebel]

OOC: Neil, what sort of trees are growing near the river, and generally how tall do they grow?

As the group looks for a campsite, Jurri will ask: "Did we bring any rope?" (If so) "Enough to help in crossing?"

Post by GM The river bank is bordered with willows close to the river. Aspen, birch, mountain ash, pine and spruce make up the main variety of trees that you have seen along your travels and all can be seen along the river bank.

Pine trees would be the tallest of these trees if you were looking to fell one across the river

[Algared]

"We did have that rope with the grappling hook. Though I can't recall who has it."

As the band move slowly, deeper into the hills as they follow water that flows down the mountain towards the mighty Froya. Algared like the rest seeks a suitable, safe crossing. Pointing out his find for appraisal by his companions. (Survival skill 51)

[Barak Daas]

[OoC: Assuming Barak is on watch again tonight he'll wear his helm, and carry his shield & spear at the ready. He'll also stand watch (and not sit down). If he isn't on watch he will sleep with his spear ready by his side.]

[Borygg Raal]

As the group looks for a campsite, Jurri will ask: "Did we bring any rope?" (If so) "Enough to help in crossing?"

Borygg reponds, "I have rope, Jurri, about 30', with a grappling hook."

Post by GM Not all of that rope is now available - it was used to secure and repair the mast aboard the boat you were sailing in, there is about 15' left and the grappling hook

[GM]

Time: End 4th watch - End 6th watch

Barak heads upstream following the river, he notes that along the way there are several points where animals have been recently to drink from the river. The warband also notices that the wind is once again picking up as the tree tops begin to whip back and forth in the growing wind. The temperature once again begins to fall and the sweat from your exhertions during the day now chills you to the bone. Your cloaks offer little comfort in these conditions. With Kugald close behind him, Barak notes a suitable campsite and as soon as he heads towards it to check it out Kugald also notes the spot and follows Barak.

With the dark clouds continuing to build Barak notes that it is going to be cold tonight and that there could be rain again tonight and Kugald looking skyward nods his head in agreement "Maybe even snow!" he adds.

While Barak and Kugald take a wander around the perimeter of the camp, Jurri, Borygg and Algared each rest against a tree on the river side of the camp. There are no tracks around the campsite to indicate any traffic within the last ten day that Barak is able to discern from the grounds around the camp.

The campsite selected by Barak is about 30 yards from the river in a small hollow near the foot of the mountains, the forest provides ample shelter from the wind and with what little daylight is left Kugald and Barak set to constructing another shelter for the night, while Jurri and Borygg once again begin the unglamorous and dirty job of collecting dead fall from the forest floor, Algared once again constructs his fire pit and sets up his cooking equipment.

Collecting everyones waterskins, Algared heads to the river to refill them. Algared notes that despite the warm weather his waterskin is only about a quater empty while his companions are about 3/4 empty. A quiet smile appears on his face as he returns with everyones waterskins full once again.

There is a bit of a struggle on this occassion trying to get the wood to light as most of it is wet, but after several attempts and some cursing Barak finally has a small fire going.

Soon however, the fire is lit, the shelter erected and the smell of a warm stew rises from Algared's cook pot and with the final rays of sunlight disappearing you once again rest under the night sky. The warband seem a little quiet and uneasy tonight perhaps Jurri's tales of wanton destruction by bands of ravenous wolves has done their work and put everyone on edge or perhaps it is just the thought of another cold and wet night out in the mountains.

The warm stew using the last of the deer meat does little to warm the bellies of the warriors but it is filling and staves off the pains of a hungry belly for the night. Algared takes his cook pots down to the river to clean them up and as he wanders just out of the fire light he turns back towards the warband and says "Anyone what to help?" everyone offers but in the end Borygg 'wins' and accompanies Algared down to the river and within a short space of time they have both returned and are enjoying the warmth of the fire.

Algared leaves the group to find a place to rest and meditate, the group notices that he does not wander as far as usual from the camp tonight, in fact everyone seems to be staying closer to home, the latrine does not seem to be as far away from the camp as usual either.

In the dark of night not even Yael can penetrate the shield of cloud to provide any light on this night. The wind has continued to build into a torrent of wind that blows the tree tops around furiously, the temperature continues to fall and as the warband seek the warmth of the fire a light rain begins to fall. The warband heads to their shelter while Kugald gathers his things and begins his turn on watch (based on your watch routine).

Kugald wanders the camp during his watch for a short time before settling under a tree that offers the most protection from the weather and settles in. Drawing his cloak in around him Kugald notes that the temperature continues to fall. Kugald notes that the noises of the forest are absent tonight perhaps the animals are safe within their burrows and nests or perhaps the wind howling through the tree tops is concealing the noise instead, either way apart from the rain falling there is an eerie silence to the forest tonight. As Kugald's watch comes to an end a light snow begins to fall, most of which melts when it hits the ground.

Kugald waking Algared for his turn on watch shakes him awake, he is breifly startled but immediately recovers and leaving his sleeping gear dons his cloak and boots, gathers his equipment and heads out towards the fire before he realises that a light snow is falling. Like Kugald, Algared seeks the relative protection of a tree to shelter him from the worst of the weather. The wind continues to howl through the trees but it does look to have lessen a little. The forest is still silent of animal noises. The snow by now begins to fall and a light coating of snow begins to build.

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