Quick question, and I apologize if this has already been answered but I couldn't find it. Where is Oleg's Trading Post in relation to Rostov? I'm assuming south and if so how far/how many days travel through what kind of terrain? Also, when completing the hex map is there a particular hex that you would want us to place the trading post for the purpose of mapping out the territory?
It's to the East, but you don't know that in character yet. The other answers you will have to find out in game, it shouldn't take too long though.
When it comes to the hex map, I am actually handing out XP and handling exploration 12 hexes at a time. Or at least that was the plan, at the moment I'm just doing free-form exploration. I have been providing the map so far, but if you wish to also draw a copy of the map by hand you can put Oleg's at the very top corner of the 3rd hex from the right.
I'm assuming this is the best place to post these questions in order to avoid clogging up the main thread with Out of Character: chatter, if not feel free to redirect me. I'm a little uncertain on the last post in the prologue thread where Sgt. Eriks tells Mykael that he can't confirm that he would actually be dismissed. I'm uncertain if that meant Mykael was expected to show up for his guard duty until his dismissal was confirmed or if the Sgt. Is telling Mykael that he is essentially free and the paperwork will catch up?
Mykael would not leave his post if he believed that he was not officially free to do so; just trying to figure out for my next post whether Mykael needs to wait a couple of days or if he can leave town as soon as he figures out what direction he needs to go in.
Feel free to ask in character, or you can even post an action and leave a Out of Character: tag at the bottom. I'll answer in that thread.
I chose to use Fast Progression. While the adventure suggests medium, I decided that there's more than enough content, without adding lots of random encounters.
You do use a d20, the result is just capped at 10. That means you have a 55% chance to get a 10, and a 5% chance for each lower number.
This applies to all skills you don't have ranks in, and that specifically say they can't be used untrained. For example at the bottom of the Knowledge skill, it says an untrained character cannot make a check with a DC higher than 10, unless they are in an extensive library.
On the other hand, skills like Diplomacy and Ride (And many others) don't say "Trained Only" In the title so they can be used.