Dorgan recalls the hippogriff flight from Southwatch to a landing place a few miles short of the abbey. It all looked pretty easily from altitude. They departed the woods, headed in a south-westerly direction across a broad plain of grasslands, then some folded-looking roughlands, and arrived at the abbey. Apparently it was about 40 miles as the crow-flies. What could be simpler?
On the ground it's a whole different matter. The "folded-looking" Hinterlands comprise high-ridges and deep-ravines, many of which are impassible. There are goat tracks here and there, but there's nothing like a proper road heading in the direction Dorgan wants to go--north east. At least he can, now and then from the top of a ridge, get a good look at the grasslands layed out below him, and periodically correct his course...
The going is slow through the roughlands, but our company doggedly heads north-easterly, insofar as this is possible, and downhill. As dusk approaches, they are all weary, but the mountains and hills are at their backs, and the undulating grassy plain lies ahead of them. At ground level there is no longer any sight of the distant woods, but Dorgan is confident they lie only 30 miles or so off. For now, the long day's march is done; it's time to make a camp.
On the ground it's a whole different matter. The "folded-looking" Hinterlands comprise high-ridges and deep-ravines, many of which are impassible. There are goat tracks here and there, but there's nothing like a proper road heading in the direction Dorgan wants to go--north east. At least he can, now and then from the top of a ridge, get a good look at the grasslands layed out below him, and periodically correct his course...
The going is slow through the roughlands, but our company doggedly heads north-easterly, insofar as this is possible, and downhill. As dusk approaches, they are all weary, but the mountains and hills are at their backs, and the undulating grassy plain lies ahead of them. At ground level there is no longer any sight of the distant woods, but Dorgan is confident they lie only 30 miles or so off. For now, the long day's march is done; it's time to make a camp.
We now zoom out the overland travel scale for a bit of wilderness exploration. At this scale, each turn represents one day of travel (unless it is interrupted by an encounter). There are two moves per turn, at 1":1 mile.
Firstly, the ref establishes the weather conditions 2d6=7, so clearing conditions. Perfect for good progress!
Since Dhren is no longer acting as a guide, this trek will be as uncharted wilderness exploration. The ref checks whether Dorgan's nose knows, or he has become lost: 1d6=? (the players won't know the result until later).
Finally, the ref checks for encounters during the day (without revealling the number of checks, since this might indicate to the players whether or not they are lost: Xd6=? however, no encounter is forthcoming on the first day.
What for the night's camp and the next turn (tomorrow)?
Firstly, the ref establishes the weather conditions 2d6=7, so clearing conditions. Perfect for good progress!
Since Dhren is no longer acting as a guide, this trek will be as uncharted wilderness exploration. The ref checks whether Dorgan's nose knows, or he has become lost: 1d6=? (the players won't know the result until later).
Finally, the ref checks for encounters during the day (without revealling the number of checks, since this might indicate to the players whether or not they are lost: Xd6=? however, no encounter is forthcoming on the first day.
What for the night's camp and the next turn (tomorrow)?
