Dashel will hold out the governmental token for the farmer to see.
"Do not be concerned," he glances at the talking helmet. "The authorities are working on the disappearance of Vak, they sent powerful help." He motions to the the angel. He realizes this could be a bit awkward.
Dashel, none of them appear to have any clue what the flying talking helmet is, and they don't like it. Through Besmarial, the apparent cousin asks angrily, "Well, what are you doing here, instead of where he disappeared? You're a good five miles out of the way, you know. Go on, back to the village and four miles west, that's where he was working." She waves generally west-southwest.
Dashel hears the cousin terse tone, but he realizes it's grief and concern ridden. Calmly he replies, "We are working, justice will prevail. I ask that you stay IN this house until we tell you otherwise is that understood? It is definitely a command of authority.
He will loosen his sword, to permit some of the glowing light to shine, so the family understands that he is not the average local guard.
They all troop back into the house.
Influence Attitude: Using Diplomacy to influence a creature’s attitude takes 1 minute of continuous interaction.
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The couple, the baby, and the two visitors are now inside the house with the door closed. It's late afternoon (you waited for the woodsman to come home). What are you going to do now?
Drovic leaves the house in the opposite direction of Dashel, then circles around to meet up with the party. "I'm going to get some early sleep so I can stay up and watch the house."
Dashel will head back tot eh group and report what occurred. "Well that didn't go nearly as well as it could have." He then begins to run his whetstone over the edge of his sword.
Well, exactly what happened?
'Well they were less than impressed with out fluttering helmet and they seem nervous. They think we are in the wrong location to search for Vak, but I only used that story to gain favor." His hand works the blade, "I basically told them to stay in the house, we were sent by the authorities to assist."
That seems reasonable. If they venture out, we will know it, and if something approaches we will know that as well.
"How's our dwarf friend holding up? Never known one to be patient before. Whereas Drovic looks like he could lay still for three weeks if that set the trap proper. They are a stark contrast." His eyes looking over the woods, ears straining to hear any suspicious sound.
There seems to be nothing stirring at the moment, Dashel.
Night is falling. Drovic has gone off to rest before taking the darkest watch, while the rest of you settle in to guard the house.
Oddly enough, the night passes uneventfully. No hags creep up to trouble you, no zombies lurk in the underbrush, and no orcs search the forest. At least, none near you.
The next morning dawns bright and clear, sunlight dappling the forest floor in ever-changing patterns as the leafy branches sway in the breeze.
Bah, me thinks this is getting tiresome. I want that old ladies head, nobody runs from a dwarf and gets away with it.
Grungar will impatiently wait in the woods as was agreed upon and do his best to not make noise or cause any distractions. Grungar will continue to scan the area, with his falchion within reach at all times.
Conner wakes early, and stretches, as he walks briefly into the woods to relieve himself. Upon his return, he munches on some rations and awaits the awakening of the others.
I will patrol again in a circle around the perimeter of the clearing to guage any tracks or immediate threats. I shall return shortly. Does anyone have any other plans besides sitting on the charge at this point?
"Three weeks in waiting is nothing compared to three years in jail. Patience is a virtue."
"Actually, I think running from a dwarf is particularly the best way to survive one, what with those stunted legs and all." Drovic breaks his fast then slides back up a tree, overwatching the house and it's various points of approach.
Bahaha, the elf has a sense of humor. Grungar laughs and talks to himself as he continues to watch the forest, now though he is in a much better mood.
Dashel will patrol the woods in the morning. Taking a light meal, he is concerned the family will bolt with the first light so he will keep an eye on the door.
The four of you watch the area from your various vantages, eying both the house and its surroundings. The occupants do not attempt to make a break for it, instead content to cook their morning meal in peace (or so the thread of smoke from the chimney and the smell of frying bacon would indicate). There is one brief scare when one of them opens the door, but it's only to empty the thundermug. (You get the idea that normally they would go to the edge of the clearing to deal with that particular chore.)
About mid-morning, though, Drovic thinks he might see some movement to the south, as of someone or something on the wider of the two ways into the clearing.
Drovic rounds the tree so line of sight is blocked to the house, then signals to the others and points towards the wider path to the south. Then he slips down the tree and draws both daggers, heading over to be next to the path.
Conner and Dashel are actually not that far apart. Conner, a rock falls to the ground near you; you look up and see Drovic trying to get your attention. He points south. Shortly thereafter, another rock falls near Dashel. However, by that time the cleric can see a few people moving quietly up the road--all men, all dressed in peasant clothing and carrying hatchets. Drovic, you recognize two of them; they were the men who met the father yesterday morning. They don't appear to see any of you right away. One shouts something, waving in the direction of the house.
Conner moves silently and slowly to a position that will give him a clear shot into the clearing. he stays hidden with his bow drawn, waiting patiently.
Dashel looks up a bit perturbed that he was caught unprepared by the peasants approaching. He looks around for his companions. Who are these folks, is it trap?
Dashel, they're still a ways away (though now within shouting distance); because of your position watching the door from the woods (and presumably keeping close enough that you'd have a chance to intercepting a runner), you didn't have a line of sight on them and they weren't talking. They wouldn't have been able to get much closer without you seeing them--Drovic just noticed them first because of his perspective.
At the moment, Grungar is in the forest on the other side of the clearing, watching for witches and other such things. Conner is positioning to provide covering fire, and after throwing a rock at Grungar Drovic is planning on descending. The Cassissian murmurs to Drovic, "Where would you like me to go?"
"Get next to the house, stay hidden and listen to what they say."
Before dropping towards the house, Besmarial adds, "That shout was 'Twil! Are you there?'"
Grungar will hunker down and withdraw his falchion, ensuring to stay out of view and wait for signals from the others.
Dashel will position himself behind a large tree, if possible.
The door to the cabin flies open, and one of the visiting women is there. She shouts an answer before closing the door. The men mill for a moment, muttering back and forth, before they turn and run away back down the path.
That was an unexpected response. I hope our translating head can tell us what she said?
Besmarial eventually conveys the translation: "Run! We're fine, but there are soldiers here. Tell the Mayor!"
Glorious.
Dashel groans, "Great."
With the departure of the villagers, the clearing is quiet. Nothing happens through the rest of the day.
"If there is no danger by the morning, should we let the man go about his work tomorrow? Try to make it relatively normal for the family?"
Yeah, I am sure that we will have visitors within next two days, based on the warning.