With Oleg's Trading Post saved from the imminent bandit threat, the party are ready to explore the region Restov has chartered them to. But the Free City has more than 1 request, the others posted on the wall in Oleg's. And he rumors about a larger network of bandits seem disturbing and their Stag Lord seems like a tough opponent…
Exploration will be done 12 hexagons at a time (Changed from the sandbox exploration rules). The area covered each time is 36 by 48 miles. A few major landmarks will be encountered and explored in detail, as well as a number of minor landmarks that can be quickly discovered and left.
For tracking inventory: basic ammunition, rations and fire are assumed. Watches are assumed and rolled randomly unless stated otherwise. Riding is assumed all day except for 3 meals, where a day is 8 hours of travel. Full communication between party members is assumed unless you state you are hiding something.
A good day is spent mapping the area immediately around Oleg's house. The rolling plains are fertile and the grasses grow rapidly after the winter had passed a week ago. The night passes uneventfully with nobody on watch reporting anything.
Wealday 6th Pharast
The plains continue for miles to the south and mapping gets hard with the only feature being the trading post. But somehow you manage and also hunt a rabbit for dinner. Again, nothing happens at night.
Oathday 7th of Pharast
Further south, more plains. Now you are 14 miles south of Oleg's with accurate maps so far. Yet today you come across a morbid sight. There, in the middle of a field, lie strewn bones of many animals, elk, boar, wolves, deer, 2 bears and even a few human skeletons. They are spread across an area almost 400 feet wide!
Theaton will examine the bones to see if he can tell what has killed them all and if there are any tracks leading away to determine the creature or creatures that may have had a hand in it.
Perception rolls with modifier of +4: 18 and 13
Profession rolls as a ranger with +3 modifier: 14 and 19
Knowledge of nature rolls with modifier of +5: 23 and 15
Shivas watches and listens for anything while Theaton approaches and examines the scene. She prays a silent prayer to Sarenrae for protection from whatever could have created the horrible collection of bones.
The first set of bones, a wolf, have been out for months, weathered and picked clean by bugs. A nearby elk has been there for a few weeks and looks like the bones have been washed clean. The same is seen on a human's remains further in, and inside the skull you see rotting and liquefied meat. Only one or two creatures could do this, most likely a giant spider which has the ability to incapacitate with poison then liquefy its meals over a few days. Having a close look around, there are in fact tiny thin strands of silk, all converging at the center, 150 feet away, where you see a a trapdoor lid made of dirt which lies slightly ajar.
"Theaton, we must rid this area of whatever creature lies at the heart of this horror. I do not think we should approach but try to lure the beast out to us. What do you all think?"
Out of Character:: How many are still present in the party?
Theaton agrees, "Yes get ready for an attack. I am going to back up and take a nice aim at the open part of the trap door. I have a feeling the spider is going to come out real quick."
Theaton take out his bow and notches an arrow. HE slowly backs up some towards the rest as he draws the bow back and takes careful aim at the trap door. He is hoping to strike right into the partially open area. Since it ia togh shot he will take a -4 to hit so the roll for his first arrow with the -4 and his modifiers to hit is: 17 I rolled a 18 -4 +3 =17. If he hits anything it take 4 points of damage. He will quickly get another arrow ready.