As usual, is a ROLE PLAYING game, that means the palyer decides how to interpret any due character. What if I want MY (MINE not YOURS) Tav lead his party making long rests after one or two or whatever number of battles he decides for?
The game DOESN'T force anyone (specially the skilled tactical players) to make use of long rests so why this relentless push to make it harder for everybody else?
I do agree that due to fact that a long rest means a night of sleep (or meditation) something must happen to justify the frozent moment that we see in the game, reasons for the ritual to be postponed, for the Goblins not to attack, the location where you can find the two brothers or the number of preys in the Owls bear cave etc etc.. ...
