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The party thanks the innkeep and heads east towards Nulb. The morning is bright with trace clouds, and the air is a bit warm for the autumn season.

On their way out of town, you encounter Burne speaking with a foreman about the construction of his keep. He thanks you profusely and reminds you that you are always welcome in Hommlet. You continue on and the sky soon goes grey. Dark clouds form a blanket in the sky and a slight sprinkling sets in.

An hour or so after you passed Burne and Rufus' tower, you come to a fork in the road.


It was tough but I avoided the horrible obvious joke.

You recall overhearing this at the Welcome Wench: two roads lead to Nulb. The one to the right, known as the High Road is quicker and more direct but goes through the Gnarley Forest (DM's note: yes, that's its name in the module. *sigh*). The Low Road, breaking left (and north), avoids this forest but is a bit longer and will require either night hiking or a bivouac.

Actions?

Hit points and marching order
Effric 10/10 <4/2>
--Calthas 13/13
Tavin 9/9 <CLW>
Father Redmond 13/13 <5/3>
Caydon 11/11
--Thurwin 5/5 <sleep x2>

DM's note: Although it's possible to try out The Bonnie Banks o' Loch Lomond scheme by splitting the party and seeing who gets to Nulb first, I can guarantee that your friendly neighborhood DM will parley that into a TPK.

Effric, Druid

"Well friends, I am comfortable with either path. No forest or creature therein will ever give me pause, even one so named."

OOC: Gnarley Forest, lol

Thurwin - Wizard

Thurwin thanks the innkeep for his hospitality, and heads out. He's mostly silent on the walk, thinking about his lost brother, and hoping to hear something positive from Nulb, but expecting the worst.

As the party approaches the fork Thurwin shrugs and says "No matter to me. I don't mind the forest or the longer way. Perhaps the longer way so we can be rested when we enter Nulb?"

OOC: He really doesn't care. The forest intrigues him (After all, it's gnarly, dude.)

Father Redmond - Cleric

"Whatever we choose, Zagyg will protect us. I can assure you he favours us in our quest. Personally, I would go for the quicker path so we don't have to camp outside.

OOC: Since english isn't my main language could someone explain to me the Gnarley Forest pun?

"A forest is always my preferred path, however it is qualified. So let's go for the high road!" concurs Calthas.

With the party either not caring or preferring the High Road, you take the right-hand path. It takes you into the forest, which, when combined with the darkly overcast weather, is almost as if traveling at night. The darkness just adds to the potential danger in the place. Gnarled roots make for easy tripping and the path is sometimes in danger of becoming overcome by ground cover and tree branches. However, the ruts of wagons past make the trail obvious so there is no chance of becoming lost.

wandering monsters [1d6] = 2 type [1d12] = 3 surprise [1d6] = 1

As you travel, you hear a distinct snap to your left and then spears fly at you from the right!

BB1 attacks Calthas att [1d20] = 2, dmg [1d6+1] = 2+1 = 3 but his spear flies wide.
BB2 attacks Tavin att [1d20] = 1, dmg [1d6+1] = 4+1 = 5 fumble [1d20] = 10 but his armor seems to freeze and he's stuck in place!
BB3 attacks Effric att [1d20] = 5, dmg [1d6+1] = 2+1 = 3 missing as well.
BB4 zeroes in on Fr Redmond att [1d20] = 13, dmg [1d6+1] = 5+1 = 6 and the spear passes through his priestly robes and into his side!

The four bugbears follow their spears from the right and move in to attack, wicked flails in their grip!

Actions?

Hit points and marching order
Effric 10/10 <4/2>
--Calthas 13/13
Tavin 9/9 <CLW>
Father Redmond 7/13 <5/3>
Caydon 11/11
--Thurwin 5/5 <sleep x2>

Father Redmond will cast Zagyg's Paralyzing Laughter (Hold Person) on the group of Bug Bears.

Effric, Druid

Effric waits for the Father's spell to take hold and will attack with scimitar any bugbear that continues to charge.

Tavin - Monk

Tavin will close distance with the nearest bugbear and take a swing with his sword.