The road heads north, and departs from the riverside. You traverse through a new growth forest for a few hours, and then through a fetid, insect ridden swamp. As the sun begins to set, you are pleased to have found your way past the swamp and back into an older forest with little ground cover. Nevertheless, you find a good place to set up camp the first night.
During the day, Tren Eckheart tells the story of his father's death: It happened about 10 years ago, as Tren was just moving from childhood into his teenage years. His father, Japhen Eckheart, was the head of the Marian Town Militia, a former group of volunteers that formed when many of the soldiery were called away to defend a remote border. Japhen, or Jaf, lead the militia along the road you're now travelling, headed for wild country farther east. There, they encountered a large band of ogres who had descended from the rough hills, and had been harrassing the local farmers. Near the edge of a small valley, the ogres ambushed the militia using heavy rocks thrown from up high. Japhen was crippled when his horse took a boulder to the shoulder and fell on him. Though he lead the militia to victory, and forced the ogres to flee back to their hills, Japhen succumbed to his wounds before they reached home.
The other three keep mostly to themselves. Davo, the blacksmith, engages in light small talk, about the weather, and horsecraft. Wilma von Wolf scowls at anyone who gets too close to her, but more often finds herself up with Nar and Jhishma, anxious to scout ahead. Katyd falls back with Grok, keeping the half-orc's quiet company and providing support to the rear of the small company.
After a long first day, some of you are working muscles sore from disuse; some of those muscles sore from riding you may have forgotten you ever had. Your horses act admirably, for draft horses. They are perhaps a little slower than typical riding horses, but are full of stamina and quick to follow direction.
How do you set up camp?
