Halloran frowns at Rory No need to be rude, we're going to be in this area for awhile, if we can make some friends or at least allies who know this area better than we do, it should make our job of exploring much easier.
Turning back to the kobolds, he says in Draconic My companion gesturing at Royston noticed you seem to have overindulged a bit in your radishes, he was wondering if you needed medical attention?
**** Time flash
...
Speaking of dealing with bandits Silstaren, we recovered these from the last group we dealt with, can you find some use for them? Halloran offers him the bandit leaders composite longbow (STR +2) and 40 arrows.
If you can and no one else objects, you may use them as you see fit. ...
Silstaren reaches out to take the weapons. "Thank you. " He examines them quickly and tests the bow's pull. "A noble gift. The Queen's bowyer Fellendress could fashion no better. I will employ these arms in the service of your charter to the benefit of us all."
The cleric looks at Rory and smiles.
"It's not mercy. It's manners. If we're all going to be neighbors, we might as well be neighborly."
Royston smiles at the belch, knowing the kobolds will be OK. Then he gets back on his horse, nodding his head in thanks to them since he cannot speak their tongue.
A moment more please Eamon. Halloran says before turning back to the kobolds and continuing in Draconic.
Very well then, oh by the way do you happen to know if their are any humans camped around here? We're looking for a group of bandits and we were told they're in this area. Also if you know of any dangers in the area we should watch out for, and were willing to share that information, we would much appreciate it.
Well, how's this for an offer, 5 gold for as much as I can put in my saddlebags. Halloran says.
I can pay you now or, I can wait until you've discussed it with your leader. We should be passing through this way again in a day or so and I can either pick the radishes then, or discuss your counteroffer.
Done then. Halloran will dismount from his horse long enough to give the kobold the agreed upon price and shake his hand, to seal the deal.
Upon remounting his horse, he'll raise his hand in a gesture of farewell and say, Well met dragon kin and farewell, may all our future meetings end so well. As agreed, I'll pick my radishes on my return through here, safe journey home for you.
With that he'll turn his horse and join his companions.
As the sun begins its descent, Silstaren starts looking for a likely campsite, a sheltered flat patch of ground near a stream, with the surrounding ground pitched so that water won't run into the camp. Finding such a place, he suggests stopping there for the night.
After cooling down, brushing, and picketing his horse, he helps with campsite chores. He's willing to take any watch.
"I will take the middle watch," says Sir Eamon. He always offers to take this watch so others can get their rest undisturbed and undivided. His long time in the wilderness makes him indifferent to sleeping in smaller stretches.
Eamon helps Silstaren set up the camp and care for the horses. While others prepare the evening meal, Eamon works up a hunger chopping wood for the cooking fire.He asks Royston to lead a pre-dinner prayer.
During dinner, he likes to listens to any tales the others have to tell, especially of far-off lands or of heroes. Unusually for a warrior, he seems to like best those tales of clever heroes who best their foes by outsmarting them. He laughs much and tells his own story, learned from his master Sir Helevorn, about a clever elven lass lost in the Seelie Court.
After dinner he goes off a small way from the campsite and kneels in private prayer for most of an hour, sword out and head bowed. After which he checks the horses, walks the perimeter bids the first watch wake him in three hours. Then he goes to sleep.
Rory produces the alchemist's kit from his backpack and begins preparing his concoctions, filling the area with a mixture of sweet and bitter smells. In about an hour he is done. He goes to sleep early, with the intention of getting up before dawn (about the same time as the last watch starts) and gathering his herbs and mushrooms from the local meadow.
Perception
Explore or follow the trail it doesn't ultimately matter to Silstaren. Although he'd like to settle this bandit issue, the land has an appealing emptiness oddly reminiscent of the high country around Coralesion. If the party chooses to explore, Silstaren ranges from the trail with them, but returns to cross it often, hoping, but not really expecting, that he can pick up the track each time he crosses it.
In light of the gift of the bow, it would be poor manners to argue with the party members. If the rest of the party is deadlocked and he is cast as tie-breaker, he'll support Halloran's position since the mage seems most responsible for the bow.
