they don't really exist
The rogue couldn't make it to this game.
The party searched the two orc bodies that the dire rat was feeding on, and Grenadine (dwarf cleric knight) took the orc shortbow, soiled and ill kempt. She has a ranged weapon now. There was a short discussion about how to divide 2 sp between the five of them. Dironj is keeping it for the party, since she is deciding how to share out the rewards.
The party discovered that the trail split. They decided which way to go and arrived at the ravine. Good stealth rolls are a myth - They rolled consistently terribly. Grenadine rolled so badly she decided it must have been the noise she made cleaning the orc shortbow. The goblin patrol noticed them up on the ridge where they were camped out, and attacked them in the dark, where Grenadine on watch hadn't noticed them. It was disappointing how easily they took out the goblin patrol.
Today was the first game that really got into game mechanics other than checks, so we went over the character sheet details to make sure everything was understood.
Grenadine and Gregory (cleric of Pelor) used their heal spells but not the heal kit to heal during the short rests. They weren't comfortable continuing with only the heal kit option. Grenadine used her Defender feat, Dironj her Stonecunning and Reaper feat, Gregory his radiant light, Willow her burning hands and detect magic.
Lore, survival, knowledge of the creatures in the wilderness, the sage's knowledge, the fighter's knowledge, nature lore, heraldic and forbidden lore were all used. Lots of on the fly DM decisions about DC and what the best check would be. It was great not to be limited to a particular skill list.
We ran slow and checked rules so everyone was getting comfortable with their actions. The move before and after attack was generally very appreciated. Exploring the impact of advantage/disadvantage; its ease of use was also appreciated. The two in heavy armour used it in their stealth checks. The wizard used it for her perception checks. The goblins used it to attack the prone characters.
Willow, the elf wizard was awakened by Dironj, the dwarven fighter, to help figure out what she was hearing in the dark. Dironj couldn't understand everything that was being said. Willow grumbled after she checked twice and went back to bed; keen senses didn't help her rolls. Dironj was just making it all up, there was no sound out there at all. Good perception rolls are a myth too.
The players had forgotten their dice though, and were using DM dice, maybe that is why the rolls were so consistently bad. Perhaps it was just that Wilbur their rogue wasn't there.
all female groups are a myth -
There were several good communal discussions in character to decide on next steps. The last decision involved whether to attack the orc taskmasters in the dark, or whether to wait until daylight.
The food again was delicious, the group is shaping nicely, the roleplaying is good, players are getting a feel for their characters and party interaction. The players are enjoying the game.
*Simm, my DM: “all female groups are a myth, they don't really exist”
