Pharris Cophalis |
"Good. Sergeant Kraquer will provide you with final instructions tomorrow at the citadel's northern gate. He can introduce you to Malin, Emerald and Jasmalus, the merchants. At dawn, Vic, as you wished."
Pharris hands over the gold and slowly rises. All generous curves and graceful moves. She pats Isandril on the shoulder as she heads for the back door. Then stops beside the kitchen entrance.
"Take care and watch out for that priest and his spies. Now I am off to the infirmary and I am glad that you have agreed to do this. It feels right."
With a final smile, she waves and turns to leave.
Victor "Vic" Lofliss |
I need to make sure that I record this properly. We each get 500 gp. When do we get it? Also, is the three bags of 250 GP for expenses in addition to the 500 GP each?
Victor "Vic" Lofliss |
Understood.
Vic gathers the three bags and looks at those agreeing to take on the task.
"Perhaps we should simply divide this 750 GP equally so that we all have money for expenses? I am thinking some healing potions and minor armor or equipment upgrades should suffice."
Aerik Bear-Born |
"I'd think we could wait til Willip to think about buying anything - isn't the point of the venture that there's nothing in Greatwall to buy at a reasonable price?"
Regardless, Aerik agrees to splitting the gold up so its not in one place in the caravan.
Isandril Velahrn |
Sand's response to Pharris' words to him is a nod and a smile. "I will. Till next we meet, Cousin." He then proceeds to join the rest of what appear to be his new friends as they discuss the gold given to them, choosing to simply listen for now before making any suggestions.
French Wolf |
Vic
Sadarr
French Wolf |
Aerik
Aerik Bear-Born |
"So, the bear's den's been plundered ...," Aerik muses later, ponderously reading a note while holding down the bar at the Behir and Beholder. "I wonder if any cubs survived, or if all that's left is to take vengeance on the Old One?"
His vision swimming, he retires to his bunk. With nothing of importance to buy, he intends to catch a few extra winks and meet the rest of the group at the gate just as the sun rises.
Aerik's got 10 days worth of rations and nothing he particularly needs (at three times normal price, anyway). Horses probably aren't worth the cost now, and would make us more conspicuous.
French Wolf |
Eisen
Victor "Vic" Lofliss |
Victor "Vic" Lofliss |
Vic stands not long after the gold is divided equally among them.
750 GP divided by 5, equals 150 GP each.
"I need to get to the smithy before things are shut up for the night. I am going to upgrade my armor before the morning. I will see all of you bright and early."
Vic pulls his hood up, and looks to each of his new companions to be certain no one wants to accompany him.
Isandril Velahrn |
"Captain Gillmore has told me that he could give me a horse, if ever I needed one," Sand shares with the rest of them. He then shrugs. "Other than making the trip a little more comfortable, I should think a horse can always prove useful, yes?"
Sadarr |
FW
Sadarr will definitely talk to Harrenen before leaving, as up to now he's the only person who he has met in this town, that he has formed any bonds of friendship with. He will ask for his advice, and to share anything he knows about the dangers he might face along the way. Also, if he knows anyone at their destination he might introduce himself to.
Aerik Bear-Born |
"A horse can be very useful - sitting up so high, you'll make a great target for any arrows that come flying our way," Aerik says, when Sand mentions the horse. "As an infantryman, I heartily approve."
Isandril Velahrn |
"Good," the elf says, quite unperturbed and with a pleasant smile on his face. "It seems that at least one of you thinks I should take Captain Gillmore up on his offer. Anyone else?"
If there are no objections -well, no other objections anyway- Isandril will indeed be taking the good Captain up on his offer. If there are, however, he will keep it in mind for a later time.
French Wolf |
Isandril collects the horse from the military stables early in the morning.
Sand
Sadarr
French Wolf |
At the Gate
The guards are changing over with dawn. Lots of stretching and tired jokes that have all been heard before. One or two of the soldiers are veterans, but most have the look of youths learning their trade. Aerik recognises one of the men on duty from a recent patrol but cannot remember his name.
By the open gates is a very bruised and slow moving, Sergeant Kraquer watching farmhands leaving with their fields waiting. It is a crisp, dry morning which may herald another hot one.
Outside there are three wagons already waiting to go. Two large men, one young and one older, and a much smaller and thinner man, are huddled together by them. The greyer haired man is stamping his feet, and so ore one or two of the draft horses, keen to get on.
The first one speaking to Kraquer Only
DM Only
Victor "Vic" Lofliss |
As Vic approaches the gate, he nods at Kraquer with a crooked smile. Although Vic wears a black hooded cloak, everyone can see glimpses of a new, studded leather armor with a winged snake engraved thereon that he sports.
Vic sees that a couple of his new companions have acquired horses. He approaches the the older of the two men.
"Top of the morning to you gentlemen. Vic Lofliss at your service. You have a fair number to escort you. How best would you like us positioned?"
Sadarr |
Sadarr stands alone by the group waiting for the caravan to leave. He is saddened to leave his one friend in the town, but eager to find out what fate has in store for him.
FW
Sadarr expresses his gratitude and explains that he'll do what he can to make this a good, safe place to live again. In fact he vows this to the grizzled man.
Aerik Bear-Born |
Aerik arrives at the gate just as the first rays of light clear the city's wall. Rubbing his eyes, he sets his pack on the ground and wanders over to buy a hunk of dark bread from the vendors near the gate. Munching noisily on the fresh loaf, he stretches out his shoulders and back before putting the pack back on.
"The road don't get any softer as the day drags on, boys," he says. "What do you say we get this caravan moving?"
French Wolf |
Sadarr
Vic approaches the three men and with his greeting the older man replies, "Jasmalus at your service. We were told that you would be providing protection. I do not tell you your job, but we will tell you the way and command the trade and such, since that is our work, but swords and axes I do not know. These other two are Malin (he can fight a bit I hear), and Emerald of Willip."
Perception check DC10
Jasmalus is in his 50's, looks frail and tired with a small trimmed beard. His clothes are ragged and beggarlike.
Malin has a full moustache and beard with a smiling face. He takes to Aerik in an instant, "you can ride up here with me if you like! Ha! And off we go! Who wants a drink, I have cold beer chilled straight out the river to wet the journey."
Emerald waves a hand over his face, another pretty half elf on closer inspection. Only about 5ft tall, with flowing sandy hair and piercing green eyes, she bears no resemblance to Pharris. All she does is wave in acknowledge and greeting then mount her wagon.
It is up to you how you decide to travel. There are three wagons pulled by pairs of draft horses.
French Wolf |
"Grabford is about 4 days travel from here by wagon, forty miles with some bad bridges along the way, plenty of woods and derelict farmland. If that helps." Jasmalus turns one corner of his mouth up.
The wagon are loaded down but someone could ride on the back, or beside any of the drivers. The three merchants do the driving themselves.
French Wolf |
As Eisen turns up, a small man limps up behind him and taps at his back. "Master, can we come too? I have a cart with a child on board. We are leaving town to join our family in Verbobonc. But they say the roads are dangerous and they say you can get me through safely."
He wrings his hands and pulls a face, trying to look brave. Then before anyone can say no, he adds,"my wife is gone. Please help us!"
Aerik Bear-Born |
"I suppose I can help you hold down the seat on that wagon, as well as help you drink some of that beer. Wouldn't do to let it get warm again after the river worked so hard to cool it," he says, clasping hands with Malin as he mounts the wagon.
He studies the small man with the cart when he makes his request.
Insight: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22
Assuming he senses no ill will or ulterior motive in the newcomer - or any of the others - he speaks on the man's behalf.
"We're all heading the same way, no sense in walking separately," he says, then winks. "Sand and his big horse can provide cover for all of us."
Victor "Vic" Lofliss |
Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
"I'll be riding with you, Emerald, if you do not mind the company."
He smiles broadly as he jumps up in the seat next to the pretty half-elf. He lays his bow across his knees and keeps his arrows at hand.
"So, Emerald, my friends call me Vic. From where do you hale?"
Sadarr |
1d20 - 1 ⇒ (9) - 1 = 8 Perception
"My senses are not as sharp as some. I would better serve as a second in line either from the rear or from the front". "Still I shall serve as needed".
He simply looks at the man and child and shrugs. I guess fate has brought them into our path for some reason.
Aerik Bear-Born |
Aerik watches wistfully as Vic climbs up next to the half-elf teamster.
"Why is the choice always between a pretty girl and an ugly man with beer?" he says. "No offense, Malin, your whiskers are ferocious and I've no doubt you'll be fine company. But just once I wouldn't mind to come across a lovely lass with frothing tankards in her hands - outside of a tavern, anyway. Not that I turn my nose up at barmaids. Noble profession, favored by the gods."
Aerik sighs and turns to face the road. "Now, how about I call down a blessing from Kord over this beer of yours and we toast our journey the proper way?"
Eisen Sibyl |
Eisen musters a smile for the odd man, trying to calm his nerves, before accepting his request. "I can't guarantee your safety but were probably the safest you're gonna get. You're welcome to come along just be sure to follow our direction should something happen."
Eisen finds a spot not yet taken and makes it as comfortable as he can manage.
French Wolf |
Emerald stares back at Vic for a moment, "I have lived here for a while, before that the Free City of Greyhawk. Now let's go and you can tell me more of your life. Me, I do not speak much but I like to listen."
Malin claps Aerik on the shoulder and laughs out loud. He strokes that lush beard again and takes a swig of the chilly ale. "You'll do fine. Ulfen? I was a traveller with the Rhennee for a while but we never got that far north. Now I doubt I ever will. Got to Ratik, you know Ratik?"
The man thanks Eisen again and runs back to fetch the cart. The young boy on board is about four or five and playing with a pair of wooden sticks, drumming at the wood. "Thank you again, I am Sarand Hawkerlan and this is my son, Daele. He chivvies the cart pony into line behind Malin's, with Emerald at the back and Jasmalus at the front.
Soon the wagons are rolling and everyone can watch the day warm to noon. While the caravan heads north east towards Grabford, the farmlands stretch out for five or six miles, beyond that the odd place is either fallow fields or ruined crops. A sign that war has taken so many people from Furyondy.
Can someone roll a random encounter percentile. Low is bad...
Isandril Velahrn |
Despite the horse's need for a bit more training, Isandril nevertheless finds Lancing to be a fine steed as he rides close to the front of the caravan. His elven eyes have a better chance of picking up any danger coming their way and his skill-at-arms should provide ample challenge should such dangers be looking for a fight. On occasion he steals glances towards his new companions, as well as their charges, finding the dragonkin quite the intriguing individual. 'If this journey proves uneventful enough, a conversation would help pass the time, I suppose,' he ponders as he once again turns his eyes forward.
French Wolf |
The First Day
Eisen finds a comfortable place on the tarpaulin over the middle wagon behind Malin and Aerik. He can listen to the bravado and traveller's tales of the pair as the morning passes by.
Emerald and Vic at the back do not talk so much or so loud. They both keep a good eye around as the dust falls behind them. Jasmalus and Sadarr end up together. The man does not try to break the calm demeanour of the wyrmkin.
The once-road is rutted from years of trade and travel, but now the grass and weeds have partially filled the way, showing how little they are used now. The grassland around is open and rolls a little towards the river Veng. Towards the end of the day, the caravan comes over a rise and looks down into a hollow, with many eyes looking for a good overnight stop, then Jasmalus points out a fold with half a wagon visible. Barely visible is another. The wood is pale from the sun, eroded over a few weeks or more.
Jasmalus pulls up and speaks out loud, "that may be worth a look?"
Sadarr |
"Perhaps one of us who moves more silently, might be able to scout ahead, before we go blundering in". "I would do so, and will if necessary, but I am not so silent".
"Hey, up there"! "Can you see anything more from your elevation"?
Is there any sign of a campfire, or perhaps fresh dung in the area headed towards the wagons?
Aerik Bear-Born |
"Aye, we should go take a look, although some might stay with the wagons," Aerik says. "Vic, would you like to sneak ahead? I'll follow, though likely more loudly."
Aerik will ready his shield and a javelin to go check out the ruined wagons.
Victor "Vic" Lofliss |
"Sure, I will work my way in. Wait until I wave you forward before advancing."
Finding cover where he can, Vic draws an arrow to his bow, crouches silently, and moves in.
Stealth: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8
Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15
Really?
French Wolf |
Vic slips away from the group but is startled by the covey of grass pigeons that erupt from the first small bush. The birds all call out as they dive and bomb-burst away from the urban rogue.
The sounds continue for a few seconds and fade as the pigeons form up on high and head back down the trail.
Nearing the wagons, there are definitely three. They all bear strange crude arrows, snapped off or just heads in the wooden surfaces and bars. Crude enough to belong to "the horde". Worse the middle wagon is burnt out and no longer smouldering, it has obviously been done many hours ago.
The last wagon is totally hidden from the Grabford trailway. That one has many bloody smears, hand sized and smaller drawn across the surfaces. Cargo lies scattered about the ground too. Broken open and smashed but not taken. This is not theft so much as wanton destruction or something more..
DM Only
This is all from a cursory examination. A more detailed search requires time and effort and possibly agreement