4 Peonu 720

Time: Beginning 1st watch - Beginning of 2nd watch

Jurri takes his place near the fire and for the second time tonight notices the chill in the air and while drawing his cloak tightly around his shoulders, in his turn places a few smaller pieces of wood upon the fire to rekindle the flames.

Taking a place near the fire Jurri sits back and with his keen ear tries to listen to the noises of the night. You are surprised by the lack of noise that was present earlier tonight while sitting around the fire eating your meal, gone are the chirping crickets and the bird calls from the hunters of the night. Just then you hear a sound in the trees ahead of you and a few moments later the hoot of an owl echos off the cliff face.

Kugald, Algared and Barack raise their heads quicly at the sudden sound but see Jurri sitting by the fire and realise the sound as that of an owl and quickly return to their slumber.

Jurri taking a look to the night sky is not able to see the glow of the moon as it is hidden by the thick dark clouds above and decides that his watch is over and decides to wake Kugald for his turn.

Kugald notices the cold as he rises from his sleeping gear and reluctantly but quickly makes his way out of his blanket and takes his turn on watch, Kugald makes his way out to the fire and wraps his cloak tightly around his shoulders and places a few more pieces of the now dwindling supply of wood upon the fire to breath life back into it as the new fuel quickly takes and begins to burn.

Early in his watch Kugald notices the lack of animal noises coming from the surrounding forest and keeps a keen ear out for any sign of the reason for this, Kugald keeps a vigilant guard but over about a quarter watch the sounds begin to return slowly.

It is not long after the slightest hint of dawn in the eastern sky is detected that Kugald begins to hear the first calls of the new day, the first bird Kugald hears is the Ivinian Jay. It would appear that it nested not far to the north of the warbands campsite and the familiar call of the bird indicates that it is not to far away.

As the sky lightens over the eastern mountains, Kugald stokes the fire a bit more and heats up some breakfast. When it is light enough to see, he does a final patrol around the edge of the camp, taking care to look for any changes from the night before. Finally, when he is confident the coast is clear, he moves quietly among the others, shaking them on the shoulder or foot to wake them.

When everyone is up and has eaten, Kugald says, "Right, lets pack our gear quickly and get moving. Since we will be more exposed travelling along the thin strip of waste land between the fields and the forest, we had best make as much distance as possible before the men head out to the fields."

"Barak, I need you to keep an eagle eye on the fields ahead."

"Borygg, I want to to check behind us on a regular basis to look for anyone following us."

"Algared, you and I will keep a watch on the fields to our right. Jurri, you keep a look out on the tree line to our left."

"If you see anyone, signal us with your hand. Add a quiet click or whistle if the person is not looking at you. Everyone stop, crouch down and repeat the signal. We will confer and decide whether to continue on, wait them out or move into the trees. If they are coming fast or are too many, I will give the sign to move into the trees immediately. If we have to run, head into the trees and straight uphill as fast as you can. Keep an eye on the person to your right and left, we do not want to get separated. We will try and loose them in the woods. If we can't, we will find a defensible place and turn and fight."

"Let's load up and go."

TTYL

- Kerry

"Agreed?"

As the warband awaken and go about their morning routine, Algared casts Chalsea's sponge. Algared rests a little after failing the first time to successfully cast chalsea sponge and then tries again. After failing a second time he curses to himself and rests while breaking his fast. He determines that he wont try again until the morrow. As the the warband eat he asks "So we wearing our armour to appear more like small patrol or we just travelling light? I know you envisage us travelling along the edges of the feidls in the rough before the treeline."

Once ready the band head off and following Kugalds instructions Algared keeps watching towards the fields and their right.

The member 'Algared' has done the following action : Dice rolls

'Percentile Dice' : 58

Time: Mid 2nd watch - End of 2nd watch

With your water supplies used to stew both your evening meal and then your morning meal in addition to that which has been consumed during last night, Algared notices that his waterskin is quite empty and calls for each of you to check your own supplies, each of you has just over half a waterskin left. With the camp packed up and fire extinguished and as much sign of your presence removed as possible, you heave your backpacks up onto your shoulders and with a last look around you head downhill towards the fringes of the cultivated land.

With the dark clouds still hanging low in the sky, the warband head slightly north of east as they make their way down towards the fringes of the cultivated land. Nearing the edge of the treeline your visibility to the east begins to improve but as you close the last several hundred yards to exit the trees you also loose any height to give you a suitable vantage point. Before you view diminishes you can see that the fields, pastures and meadows extends for several hundred yards to the east before disappearing behind a small rise. The view then picks up near the foot of the mountian range to the east while the peaks of those mountains remain shrouded by the low cloud.

Exiting the treeline you find an area of land about 100' wide that consists of rocky, knee high grass clearing on the far side a small path that seems to parallel your direction of travel, on the far side of the path there is a small ditch and then a hedge about chest height is enough to obstruct your view of those fields closest to you (the hedge would provide no obstacle should you decide to cross it).

To the north perhaps several kilometres away you are able to see a wide area of trees that seems to extend from the foot of the mountains to as far to the east as you are able to see.

The area of fields, meadows and pastures like the rest of the fields around Menglana are occassionally dotted with small clumps of trees, these trees have little undergrowth to conceal anyone or anything altough there are a few bushes etc near the fringes of these trees.

Trying to make as best speed as possible you cross the 100' of rocky ground as quickly as possible, most of the rocks are easily visible through the grass although a few catch the warband as they remain hidden in the grass, none of the warband suffer any physical injury, however, Algared suffers a little embarressment as he trips over a concealed rock that remainded hidden from his view.

Not far along the path you can see feint wisps of smoke coming from the east it would seem from the type of smoke and the colour that another thran lies off in that direction about 5 kilometres or so away. The warband is able to follow the path for nearly a kilometre or so (along the way there are several breaks in the hedge with a path heading east breaking of from the more northerly path before the hedge resumes on the other side of the fork) before it turns towards the east.

So far you have not seen hide nor hair of anyone as you head north, but with the day wearing on the chances of that remaining so seems slim.

From this point in your journey you have the path heading east, the mountains and the treeline line to your west, around a kilometre or so of fields, meadows and pastures ahead of you before the huge expanse of the treeline to the north. From here you can see that the western portion of the treeline seems higher than that to the east.

Which direction do you head now?

"Well the path seeks to lead us east towards the river again so I feels it is time part and continue northwards towards the tees there. Though I imagine we want to still keep the hills to our west. I've a feeling that the smoke we saw earlier was from Vlista, where we encountered that unsavory soul so I've no desire to head east again." Algared says and then adds. "If Sarajin blesses us we'll find another stream in that forest to the north and be able to replenish our water supplies."

"If we head north, we have to cover all that open meadow and pasture with little cover. Do we want to do that? If we head west we follow the hills and have the forest to retreat in to. I image to the west the valley will narrow and there may be a shorter cut accross to the north. Perhaps we should go north, it will shorten our journey somewhat."

Kugald nods in agreement.

"West will lead us up the valley and back into the hills. If we follow the trail east, it will lead us closer to the river and to the thran. I say we continue to head north, back into the trees. By my estimation, if we cut through this bit of forest, we should come out into fields again on the far side."

"Let's go, daylight is a wastin' "

TTYL

- Kerry

Time: End of 2nd watch - Early 3rd watch

The warband follows Barak as he pushes through the hedge running along the road and heads out into the fields, Barak tries as best he can to keep the warband walking in the hollows and from cluster of trees to cluster of trees while still maintaining as best speed he can and continuing to head north towards the distant tree line.

You cover the distance in relative ease given that the fields here are as yet unploughed and while they are uneven remain easier to move across than their ploughed relatives.

It is not long before you approach the cover of the trees, Barak slows his approach as he nears the trees but cautiously keeps moving. His head scanning for any sign of danger. He advances into the treeline and soon the warband crouch just inside the trees to pause for breath.

The familiar sounds of the fauna are heard by the warband as they move north under the cover of the trees, insects can be heard buzzing nearby, familiar bird calls are heard coming from the tree tops above, however, there is no other sign of anything larger.

The warband are soon up and on the move again, moving amongst the trees you head north. Not more than several hundred yards into the trees Barak notices a small animal trail heading west to east, looking around Barak determines that the last to use the trail were sheep heading east late yesterday at best guess.

With no other sign of use the warband continue their journey north. The going is steady and not to difficult and after several kilometres of undisturbed travel you near the edge of the woods on their northern side.

From your vantage point it seems you have climbed some height while in the trees and before you a valley lies below you, a thran lies several kilometres to the north east sitting along the western bank of a river, a patchwork of farmland with its spiderweb of paths extends as far as the eye can see to the north and to the west about a kilometre or so away lies a line of trees extending to the north for as far as the eye can see. It appears as if those trees are an extension of the forest you are currenly in. The valley floor consists of the fields, meadows and pastures laid out before you. The ground rising slowly towards the forest to the west and south (the one you are in)

In the fields below you can see a ground of about ten men with several oxen teams working some of the fields, it seems that they are about half way between you and the thran more or less in a straight line between you and the thran. The fields they are working extend to the west and east of where the workers currently are.

Sitting and looking out upon the Froya valley from there vantage point Algared enjoys the brief respite and takes a little water, trying to conserve what he has but feeling the need dring more intensely than normal. His clothes feel damper and more uncomfortable than usual, none the less he gives silent thanks to Sarajin for guiding their path thus far and enabling the small band to avoid notice. Looking northward and to the west up into the hills he says. "Well least we can head westwards now,though it looks as though we'll be able head more north-westerly judging from that treeline. We know the road that leads towards Abderheim must be more to the north, how far I have no idea. That will surely cause us to run into more of the Dagens's men and patrols. So we probably want to avoid that." Algared peers out from their vantage point, across the patchwork of fields towards the thran seeking any sign of the river and beyond as well as for any the sign of a road. If he notices anything he will point it out.

"Either way I imagine we have another watch to march before we look for a camp for the night and water source, and maybe spend a little time foraging. So cous'," Algared says giving Kugald a slap on the back, "which way shall our trusted scout take us?"

“Well done Barak, we seem to be making good time and are going in the right direction. That is always nice,” he says with a smile.

He looks the members of the party over.

“How is everyone doing? Feet ok? Let’s take a breather.” The weaponcrafter puts down his spear and shield and takes off his backpack.

Still inside the tree line, Kugald looks out over the fields, taking his time checking out the farmers and oxen working the fields. He is also looking into the distance to see if he can see anything across the river or the tendrils of smoke from a large community. Kugald is anxious to try and spot Froyaheim so he can confirm their location.

“I don’t think those men are a threat, but there is no point risking revealing ourselves.”

“I say we turn west, staying just inside the tree line for a kilometer or so until the tree line turns north. By then, it will be hard for the men in the fields to see us, even if they are looking. We continue, carrying on just outside the tree line in the waste land fringe and head north. Agreed?”

“We will carry on until the sun is at its zenith and then stop for an hour or so inside the trees. We will have a small, cold lunch.”

After about a 15 minute break, he hefts his pack and throws it on again before picking up his spear and shield.

“Everyone keep an eye out for water. We need to fill up our waterskins.”

“Let’s get moving.”

TTYL

- Kerry

Barak picks up his gear and leads off in the direction indicated by Kugald

[OoC: If we're crossing valleys between spurs of the hills then we're likely to be crossing streams too]

Time: Early 3rd watch - Early 4th watch

With the dark clouds still hanging low in the sky the warband turn west and while keeping within the tree line start trekking towards the mountains. The wind has picked up considerably and now blows in strongly from the north.

The warband heads west for some time and almost impercepatbly they have turned north again as they keep within the trees. Barak calls the warbands attention to the valley floor below their position as he points out that the warband must now be heading north once again. With the valley floor below them the day has brightened some as the clouds seem to have been blown away by the strong wind.

You are able to find a suitable small creek where you are able to refill your waterskins.

The sun brings a warmth to the warband that has not been felt for a day or so and while the day remains cool the sun when you are in it warms your face and shoulders. It soon becomes apparent that these trees mark the base of the mountains and trying to remain concealed within makes the going far more difficult and slows the warband down considerably. Once the warband have now determined that their direction has changed they move down the slope about a hundred yards or so and now trek through the fringe between the tress and mountains and the fields, meadows and pastures. Along this fringe there does not appear to be a hegde or border along the edge of the fields.

There is also no path along this edge only a raised buttress of dirt about shin high marking the edge of the fields.

The warband find that they are able to make better time walking time if they cross near the edge of the fields and avoid the fringe area which seems to be littered with the refuse of rocks that have been dug up from the fields and discarded here. While the going is easier you also leave a reasonable sign of your travel - the footsteps of five men can be seen quite clearly in the dirt from your travels.

The going is relatively easy but it is still slow going as you cross the field, meadows and pastures and the temperature steadily drops. On two occassions you are forced to seek shelter to avoid first a mounted patrol that was heading towards your position - it consisted of eight riders all were carrying spears and shields and all seemed to be well armoured. They turned away from your positon and seemed to be following the paths between the fields and judging by the fact that none of them stopped it would seem they were oblivious to your presence. They did however, turn and head north away from you as they continued their patrol. The second patrol was on foot, it consisted of twelve men only two seemed to be carrying spears but all had shields and were armoured enough for a fight. They too seemed oblivious to your where abouts as they passed by your position and headed south away from your direction of march.

It is early in the fourth watch and the wind drops slightly but is has shifted so as to blow from the north and with it brings a chill to the air now that not even the sun can erase and the temperature has steadily dropped so that by now it is below freezing and it slows your progress even further. Your breath can now be seen every time you exhale as a white vapour and your sweat now freezes before it can evaporate away. Stopping to take a rest you consider your options keep moving or make a camp in the tree line while you can make camp and erect a shelter and start a fire.

"So Cousin," Algared says to Barak, 'what do you feel the weather will be like tonight, if its going to be wet and cold we may be better off finding a camp site where we can rest and be relatively sheltered. I'm sure that we'll make better headway on the morrow if we are able to get a good nights sleep rather than sleeping fitfully due to cold. We dont really need to forage but if the nights going to be cold and wet then making camp and foraging may be better."

"We should stop soon and camp. We've already come close to two patrols, there is no point trying our luck further. It might be a good idea to not have a fire tonight."

[OoC: What does Barak predict the weather will be like?]

Post by GM The wind should remain strong and the temperature may improve later tonight but by tomorrow morning the weather should be much better to travel in.

[OoC: Post GM post: Barak is definately of the opinion that they should set up camp soon]

"With the cold a warm meal would do wonders, if we make camp early enough surely we can screen the fire so no light will be seen during the darker hours. However if we cannot ensure our camp couldn't be detected fro the glow of its fire then yes maybe we shouldn't have a fire." Algared considers the concerns warrented but then also wonders by the reasoning why they would ever want a fire.

"I seems our caution was not so excessive. We were lucky today, avoiding two patrols is no small feat. I imagine the patrols will get more frequent and vigorous the closer we get to Daaslund. The only good thing is that they will probably be looking for troops coming from Dasslund."

Looking at Barak, "I applaud your caution cousin, but without a fire tonight we will be pretty miserable. I suggest we retreat deep into the forest and find ourselves an overhang or dell out of sight of the fields. We can carefully shield our fire so no one can see it from below. We will eat a warm meal, everone will get a chance to thaw out, and then we will get come sleep."

"Algared and Jurri, you have both had a good night sleep in the last couple of nights, so tonight, I think Barak should get the full night's sleep since we need him to be fully awake tomorrow as we draw closer to the enemy. Borygg, you have first watch, then me, Jurri and Algared last. Sound ok? Be vigilant, the enemy is near."

"Let's see if we can find a good campsite."

Survival roll (Skill 64): Moderate Success.

"Hey, over here looks pretty good."

TTYL

- Kerry

Listening to Algarad and Kugald: "I was more worried about the smell of smoke being so close to patrols and fields. However, if we move back up the hills then that should be fine. Hopefully we may be able to find some dry timber, and the strong winds will probably disipate the smoke before it can give us away. I agree a fire for warmth would be good. But as I've said before we may have to precook food so we can eat it cold later."

"The nearer we get to the border the greater our chances of being spotted, and I for one don't fancy our chances against a dozen warriors on horseback wearing armour and with spears. The presence of the mounted patrols is another reason to not stray too far in to the fields: horses can't charge over scattered rocks or up steep hills."

"We need to do something about our trail... if we camp near here then anyone tracking us will be lead directly to us. Tomorrow we must make an effort to walk accross the rough as well as the smooth and probably over at least one hill, or along a stream, to make it more difficult for some one to track us."

As the band sink deeper into the woods Algared like his cousins and friends keeps his eyes open for a suitable campsite. Making his suggestion when he believes he has spotted one.

Survival skill 51, MS.

Barak wrote:
"The nearer we get to the border the greater our chances of being spotted, and I for one don't fancy our chances against a dozen warriors on horseback wearing armour and with spears. The presence of the mounted patrols is another reason to not stray too far in to the fields: horses can't charge over scattered rocks or up steep hills."

"I agree entirely. The strength of the patrols would likely overwhelm us. We must concentrate on avoiding the patrols even if it slows us down. I also agree that the horses can't charge across rough ground. If we stay near the slope, we will have a route of escape."

Barak wrote:
"We need to do something about our trail... if we camp near here then anyone tracking us will be lead directly to us. Tomorrow we must make an effort to walk accross the rough as well as the smooth and probably over at least one hill, or along a stream, to make it more difficult for some one to track us."

"Good suggestions. If our trail is spotted, it will lead someone straight to us. Starting tomorrow, we have to improve our trail discipline."

TTYL

- Kerry

"It may mean that although it is a lot harder and ore exhausting that we need to stay well within the treeline or even higher up where the terraion is rougher and continaully push westwards where possible." Algared respondsto Kugald and Barak's comments as the small band sets up camp. he then asks "So shall we attempt to suppliment our rations with forage or shall we forgo foraging and stretch our supplies as far as we can from now on?"

OOC: if the decision is to forage and there is no area near by to fish Algared will forage for roots and the like

Time: Early 4th watch - End 6th watch

The warband pushes further west for a few hundred yards up into the hills where you are able to find a suitable campsite that provides a little shelter from the northerly winds and will allow a fire to be lit.

Algared goes about setting a fire pit and preparing the meal for tonight, Kugald and Barak take a wander around the camps perimeter to ensure that all is as safe as it can be, while Jurri and Borygg are tasked to fetch some fire wood.

Barak scans the perimeter of the camp and does not find any sign animal or human activity, however, they are able to find a pond located a short distance from the camp, it appears to be fed by a small stream that comes down from the mountain. Borygg and Jurri make several trips out into the woods before finally returning with an ample supply of dead fall that should see the fire fed all night.

With the fire wood supply sorted and the camps immediate surrounds secured, the warband set to building some shelter to see them through the night. Given the time of day the warband have plenty of daylight with which to work with and so take their time and after about a 1/2 watch have erected a shelter that should shield the warband from the worst of the weather.

While Jurri, Kugald, Barak and Borygg set to building the shelter, Algared has spent the time preparing the evening meal. Using some of the deer Algared has created a deer stew with a mix of vegetables and a sprinkling of herbs. The meal is finished off with the remainder of the bread and chestnuts.

With the jobs around the camp completed and the evening meal finished, the cooking utensils are cleaned and packed away, there is still enough daylight so that the warband are able to check all their equipment for damage. It becomes apparent that the last month is beginning to take its toll on your gear, the stitching in places is beginning to wear, straps are working loose from their stitching and it seems that all your gear could do with a good cleaning.

You spend your time repairing that which can be repaired and cleaning what can be cleaned to both the best of your abilities and with the equipment you have at hand.

The sounds of nature can be heard from the forest above with numerous birds flitting from branch to branch above. The camp is visited by a crow that sits on a branch not far from the warband as it watches your camp for several minutes before hopping higher up the tree it is in before it takes to wing and flies off.

With what light remains Algared finds himself a secluded spot slightly removed from his companions and sits in quiet contemplation on the ways of the Shek-Pvar.

At the foot of the eastern edge of the mountains, darkness soon begins to fall and within a half watch the darkness is complete. The wind still blowing in from the north and it has not relented as it still blows a gale - despite the wind the temperature has improved slightly but it is still cold and it is much more comfortable sitting around the fire than on the march. The night sky is clear and bodes a cold night ahead. Soon the night sky is lit by the glow of nearly a quarter moon.

With the watch set the warband turn in for the night.

Borygg finds a place near the fire to ward off the cold of the night as he stands watch, the night is alive with the sounds of nature. Frogs can be heard calling from the pond, crickets can be heard chirping and it is not long before an owls hoot can be heard coming from a tree nearby.

With Borygg's watch over he wakes Kugald for his turn to stand watch. Like Borygg, Kugald finds a suitable place to stand his watch so that he is able to keep warm by the fire. During Kugald's watch the sounds of the night begin to wan, such that by the time his watch is over the forest has an eeire silence to it.