Cat Scouts and Finds Shelter

Summary

During Session 4 of the campaign, as the party prepares for their three-day journey to New Smoke, Cat volunteers to scout ahead using the perilous journey mechanics. With a wisdom modifier of +1, Cat rolls an 8, giving her a choice between discovering a shortcut, finding beneficial terrain or shelter, or noticing signs of danger. After briefly considering the shortcut option, Cat deliberately chooses not to take it—recognizing that reducing the journey to two days would result in lower payment from Louise Guzman. Instead, Cat identifies adequate shelter along the route, described as an awesome lean-to in the forest. This choice balances safety with economic incentive, maintaining the three-day timeline for maximum payment while eliminating the need for make camp rolls.

Details

As the party prepares to depart for New Smoke, Cat volunteers to scout ahead for the journey. The GM presents the options available on a 7-9 result for the Perilous Journey move: "You choose one from the list below, drop on whatever lies ahead, you discern a beneficial aspect of the terrain, a shortcut shelter, or a tactical advantage."

Cat initially asks, "Can I do the shortcut one?" However, another party member immediately points out the financial implications: "We get paid less if you do that." Recognizing the economic impact, Cat changes course: "Can I not do the shortcut one?"

The GM agrees to this approach, offering an alternative interpretation: "We could say that, you know, it's just, like, you're able to find adequate shelter." The GM explains the mechanical benefit: "When you guys camp, you're not, like, in any danger, which means that you won't have to make any sort of make camp rolls."

The party discovers the shelter: "And then Kat finds this awesome, like, lean to in the forest, and we're like, oh, man. Let's just chill here for a bit." This location provides the party with a safe resting place for their three-day journey while preserving the full travel time necessary to receive maximum compensation from Louise Guzman.

Participants

• Cat — Scouted ahead for the party, rolled an 8 on the Perilous Journey move, and made the strategic decision to find shelter rather than take a shortcut
• Safia — Member of the traveling party
• Sucks — Member of the traveling party
• Vasso — Member of the traveling party
• Louise Guzman — The quest giver whose payment structure incentivized maintaining the three-day journey

Consequences

• The party secured safe shelter for their three-day journey to New Smoke, eliminating the need for make camp rolls
• The full three-day travel time was preserved, ensuring the party would receive maximum payment from Louise Guzman
• Cat's scouting eliminated potential dangers during the journey, allowing the party to rest without risk
• The party demonstrated tactical thinking by weighing immediate convenience (a shortcut) against financial reward (longer travel time for better pay)