Oleg is impressed, "That's very noble of you, but please affect my gift. Maybe your companions will need something in future?"
Maerrun begins to lead the bandits into his guest room, dragging the unconscious one.
Meanwhile Shivas procures rations; Svetlana offers 6 days per person of a dried trail mix for 3 gold. "Is that on top of the rations that the bandits held? What are you doing with all that spare equipment?
"Though we are infinitely thankful, we still need the money to get back to normal trading. So many people we owe, it's stressing Oleg out. I wish I had the ingredient for his favorite soup, but the nearby Moon Radishes are exhausted. It would really calm him down. If I remember right, there is also a patch about 15 miles south, in a clearing in the forest."
As the gate opens, the traveled road veers left to the east. Just off it, in the grassland, is the obvious trail of six horses trampling the grass from the south. The sun hangs low in the clear morning sky as the explorers decide their move.
Out of Character: Does Theaton mount on one of the bandit's horses?
As a tip, tracking at full speed (Normally half speed) is a -5. Or a -20 if hustling, as Shivas hinted at.
"Do you think that you can ride well enough to run?" Shivas turns to her new companions in question. "We need to make up for time, try to see if we can move faster then a gallop." Shivas keeps a watch for anyone who may not be able to keep up with the faster pace so that no one is left behind.
Out of Character:: Ride check: 1d20= 17+2-5= 14
If all in the party can hustle,
Hour 1: 1 Damage Shivas, Trake, Theaton (Anyone else?)
Channel energy 4
All party members healed.
Hour 2: 2 Damage Shivas, Trake, Theaton
Channel energy 6
All party members healed.
Hour 3: 4 Damage Shivas, Trake, Theaton
Channel energy 5
All party members healed.
Regular pace after hour three.
The party kicks up dust as they race across the grassy plains, their horses running hard and kicking up mud. Within three hours they have closed the distance to the forest and they slow as they enter.
The trackless trees make hard travel, but the trees are sparse enough and the ground pleasantly flat. About once an hour Theaton points out a hoof-print or recently broken sapling proving you're still on the right track. As the sun sinks lower, you find yourselves in the forest as you need to make camp.
Out of Character: ...unless you want to damage your horses further with a forced march (Just playing devil's advocate).
I also updated the Rules thread with rules for exploring and will ask for a standard watch order, marching order and formation in the field, and marching order for dungeons.
"Let's make camp for the night. I will take first watch. We don't want to attract attention, so we shouldn't build a fire." Shivas passes out cold rations to the group of weary travelers and prepares camp for the night. Shivas keeps a diligent eye out for any sign of creatures or people.
Out of Character:: perception roll: 16+5=21
"I'll take second watch. I agree with not making a fire, it could draw unwanted attention. Also, I think we should try to leave before sunrise to make sure we get the drop on them. Whoever has last watch will be responsible for waking the others before sunrise."
Out of Character:: Perception roll: 3
Out of Character: Kntoran, thanks for posting so many rolls, but I'm going to assume you already added your +6 modifier. I will not add the -5 penalty for tracking at normal speed, since you are off your horse I'll say it's half the horse's speed.
In Character: Tracking intently for a further 4 miles, heading towards the southwest, you spot creeks and rivulets before finding a wide, slow moving river through the treeline. It looks to be about 80 feet across, and to the northwest you see another river join up with it, widening further. The tracks are clear in the muddy riverbank, between thickets of thorny bushes, and they head southeast.
Following for a few hundred feet, you spot the remains of a small camp. However it has more than 6 sets of tracks leading into it from further Southeast. The area seems well trod and used occasionally and the campfire has stones protecting it and the remains of food from about 50 hours ago.
Shivas comes close to Tarak and asks, "What should our plan of attack be if we should find them there? It is eight against three."
Shivas watches the camp for any signs of bandits still there.
Out of Character:: Perception roll: 15+5=20