Immersive Ink

Highbough memorizes: (1st lvl) Choke, Detect Magic, (2nd level) Hold Person, Highbough's Torrefaction (aka Heat Metal). He packs light, bringing only a single day's supplies in addition to his standard adventuring gear.

Spells: Color Spray, Detect Magic, Sleep, Ulric's Comburent Phlogiston

2 Days food... All my stuff... I will make sure that Ulric's spell books are well hidden.

Noting that Wen and Highbough have duplicated Detect Magic on their spell list, Highbough would like to swap it out for his old favorite The Acclivitous Smaze, if it's not too late?

Revised list: (1st lvl) Choke, The Acclivitous Smaze, (2nd level) Hold Person, Highbough's Torrefaction

Now Dorgan and the two Elves set out from the abbey and commence the short trek to the nearby Ogre-bridge. Dorgan has visited the site previously, so there is no real prospect of getting lost.

The Ogre cave can easily be reached inside a day, so there is no genuine pressure to make good speed, moreso to employ good caution and avoid being detected.

Easily time is made, and by noon the dauntless trio are approaching the vicinity of the cave (and the bridge over the ravine beyond it)...

Let's get this sortee underway!

Wilderness Exploration Turn 1

The ref dices for the possibility of an unforeseen encounter along the road: 1d6=2, so nothing.

How do you wish to proceed?

Dorgan turns to the elves.

So how we doin' this? You wizards got any tricks up yer sleeves, or am I waltzing in there?

Do we want to lure them out and see how many there are, or try to surprise them by the entrance and limit the number of attacks they can make?

Highbough has it all figured out, and begins to lecture Dorgan and Wen about his long-winded plan: "The two-headed halfling will go first and have a look around. If the ogres attack, we'll use the planet's weakened gravity to leap over the ravine. Once we're on the other side, we'll..."

Time for Invisible Highbough perhaps, have a look-see?

Wen smiles as Highbough continues on, patiently waiting for the old elf to finally turn invisible and head towards the cave. "Let's get a little closer and find a spot we can stay hidden"

Invisible Highbough sound like a good plan. Dorgan and I can cover the entrance in case you get into trouble.

Highbough gingerly unwraps one of his oldest possessions, his box of chalk, and passes around a couple of sticks for Wen and Dorgan. He tucks some into his outer pocket for easy access. "An arrow like this ----> means the path is clear. An 'X' means danger ahead. '!!!' means all is lost, every Elf for himself, survivors regroup at the Abbey."

Dorgan says I'll set up nearby. Wen can be behind me. You run toward me and I'll give them a surprise. Then we run toward Wen and they get a second surprise.

Dorgan finds a hidden spot next to the path from the cave. If Highbough comes running, he'll wait for the elf to pass by and then surprise any ogres in pursuit.

Highough flicks the Cloak of Elemental Night about himself with a grand furl, and vanishes from sight!

Smirking invisibly to himself at the looks of surprise on his fellows' faces, the old Elf trots happily down the path toward the cave mouth. This must be the place, he tells himself, creeping quietly now as he crosses the final dozen or so yards...

There is no sound, nor smell, of any ogre that he can detect from the entry. Where could the stupid beasts hiding..? Perhaps he will have to creep further inside?

What next for Highbough?