Megan's Curse of the Crimson Throne (Inactive)

Game Master Megan Robertson

Though she's no outdoorswoman, she has done her fair bit of travel in the past, and has some knowledge, albeit a bit outdated, of the area around the city, and attempts to aid in concealing the tracks and assisting picking a route.

survival ,aid another, dc 10: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

Though she is able to aid, she does so barely...

I wonder if I should mention that we have to cross a river before heading north?

Garridan sees that the rest of the group is trying to hide their tracks and comes up to actually HIDE their tracks.

survival: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (14) + 14 = 28

I know about the river... there is a ford.. but its too far up river for practicality. Ashe knows of a ferry.

'Vlado' noting Garridan's efforts nods in grateful acceptance let's him do what clearly he is better at, and moves to lead the party to a specific locale...

Survival: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24{To avoid getting lost}

And he leads them after almost an hour through the rough terrain to a dusty road that leads to a ferry.

He comments, "..I considered arranging a 'easier' and perhaps 'more secretive' passage over the Jeggere River by hiring 'Captain' Callatra of the fishing Boat "Starfish"~ he helped the JUSTICARS before, but I did not think his craft suitable and... I did not want to bring Red Mantis Assassins seeking him. This ferry is run by the Korvosan Guard... so the changing shifts will make finding the personal present this night for questioning a little more difficult, not impossible.. but more delays for our pursuers, buying us more time."

'Vlado' rides up to the Ferry Guardsmen and pays for the wagon and parties passage without much of exchange of words...clearly he knows how much the ferry charges.

Survival: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (11) + 15 = 26

-Posted with Wayfinder

Talin motions to the group he will meet them on the other side. He needs to rest her wings a bit. And he needs to stretch his legs.

He finds a spot to land. She seemed happy to tuck her wings in a bit. Even happier as her "father" fishes in the sacks and tosses her a snack. She happily scoffs it down with barely a bite.

-Posted with Wayfinder

Your exit from the city was uneventful, with some rather surly Grey Maidens standing back when they see the nature of the wagon's load.

Outside the city walls, the normally quite busy countryside is strangely deserted. There's hardly anyone on the road and few people to be seen working in the fields or tending animals.

About an hour after crossing the ferry once they are on the road north to Harse... Ashe will drop his 'Vlado' disguise, tapping his helm. He will ride to the back of the wagon and tap the coffins declaring to their passengers, "...we are past any observation or chance of it Neolandis and Vencarlo.. there is no need for you to remain inside the coffin's if you'd rather be more comfortable. Its deep in the night there is no one to observe and we are well on our way to Harse."

Ashe will use a prestidigitation spell to freshen himself up... shining his armor and weapons and saying evening prayers before tying the reins of Red Hoof the the wagon and pulling up the hood of his travel cloak to slump in his saddle and truly get some sleep.

Uncoiling from under his cloak and shoulder Majenko perches on his shoulder.... stretching and preening his wings... himself finally waking from his long cat nap to peer about at the traveling party. He takes flight his tail still clutching the magical rod of wonder that apparently he has claimed as his own.

Majenko soared about in the evening air noticing the following Griffon and its rider curious... but keeping a respectful distance.

Edmund's youthful alteration scroll wears off after an hour, and he resumes his grandfatherly appearance. Kris removes the hat of disguise returning it to his father, who simply puts it on.

Once the men are out of the coffins he briefly considers whether they may be more comfortable for a nap, but eventually emulates Ashe, strapping himself into his military saddle, and falling asleep.

Inelukii, not being a great rider, and not having a military saddle either, ties her new horse to the back of the wagon and hops up, curling up behind the caskets or to the side of one of them - whereever there's a bit of room, and sleeps in the wagon.

Garridan goes up to Edmund and talks to him reasonably quietly.

"we need to stop now and camp. Its hard to come up with something that can make us MORE obvious than riding at night with torches. We can barely see 20 feet in front of us but our torches are visible literally a mile away. We're making ourselves very vulnerable to an ambush.

Ashe is doubtless a brave and mighty warrior but he is a babe in the woods. He obviously needs a proper rest. He is exhausted and making some very bad decisions right now. Telling him that we need to stop is probably better coming from you than a stranger. But I'll talk to him if you won't"

Edmund opens one eye and glances down at Garridan.

"My friend, he's asleep. If stopping is what we need to do, then stop we should. If the Arkonas are looking for us, they'll be doing it magically. Our primary danger is from Gray Maiden and Red Mantis pursuers. Find us a secure and defensible campsite, then stop. When he wakes up, if he's angry, I'll deal with him."

"But he is right...we are still in danger, even here, even now."

Garridan hopefully finds a secure campsite. He'll spend the rest of the night on watch.

Take 10 on both Survival and perception for
24 survival and 32 perception

About half an hour or so after stopping Majenko ... now bored lands on Ashe's shoulder still sitting his saddle. The Tiny dragon is too proud to chase down field mice and knows Ashe keeps strips of seasoned and salted jerky tucked away in the folds of his garishly colored Kapenia.

The tiny dragon is not trying to be subtle so her begins nosing around the long scarf looking for the right pocket... which invariably wakes Ashe. Feeling the familiar tiny dragon nuzzling his scarf Ashe knows what he's seeking and lift the kapenia drowsily to pull a strip of slated jerky ...which Majenko gleefully begins chewing.

But then Ashe realized.. the shifting of Red Hoof's shoulders has ceased... he's not moving? Lifting his hood and visor he looks around.. to find the party camped and him still in the saddle.

At first alarmed he scans around detecting for any source of evil... then immediately dismounts.. not wishing to tax Red Hoof's endurance carrying his weight unnecessarily~ since they were not moving...

Now curious he walks over to the party, "Is something wrong? Why did we stop?"

He looks about specifically for the road which clearly they were not on anymore; the sliver of moon providing clear enough illumination to see it in the distance.

Edmund yawns as Ashe stirs. He gets out of his saddle and approaches the paladin. Softly, he says, "We stopped because we cannot travel all night without risking the horses. We are going slowly enough that if assassins are pursuing us, they will catch us regardless, and we can never outrun the Arkona magical scrying. I asked Garridan to find us a secure campsite now that we can defend if needs be."

Ashe gets a confused look on his face briefly, "..why would our horses be at risk? The road to Harse is well travelled, this is rolling farmland... not hills or forest... and even with the sliver of moon we have tonight... not only can we see the road clearly without any need of torches but the horses all have low-light vision! They see perfectly will in this dim light.. as long as we keep them on the road there is little risk of a mistep on their part and no need for navigation on ours the road goes right to Harse!"

"My intention is not to outrun the assassins.. they have divinely granted powers to find their quarry... they WILL find us! I'm just trying to increase how much time it takes them to do so. There are three groups of assassin pursuing us.. the ones looking for Neolandis, the ones looking for Vencarlo and the ones likely the Queen has set to finding Me or any of the JUSTICARS she knows about. I want to get Vencarlo and Neolandis moving away for us as quickly as possible to split the assassin's forces ...so when they do find us... it will be with reduced numbers."

"As for the Arkona, that is not Golario's style. House Arkona runs the Cerulean Society the 'legal' thieves guild in Korvosa... he already knows from how thoroughly we trounced his Vivified Labryinth... that throwing thugs a thieves at me will not work when we slew his outsider guardians and killed his fellow Rakshasas. It would be a waste of resources and greed is his weakness. He is arrogant enough to likely think I can be handled with courtly intrigue by threatening my family with subtle menace from threats that all my fighting strength cannot protect them from... loss of fortunes destroyed business interests, real or manufactured scandal that hurts my mother at court. In any case he will take his time to plan out a diabolical net of intrigue to gain his revenge... perhaps try to maneuver me into a trap that would threaten my good status as a paladin of IOMEDAE? Chasing me down is not necessary.. he knows my home is in Korvosa .. and that my mother will likely not completely abandon it, and even if we do.. there are few places House Whiteplume could go to escape his notice here in Varisia. I'm too high profile to hide and he knows that... so he will take his time cause time is on his side.. he's immortal..."

He looks around at the party taking its rest and grimaces, "...the whole point of traveling at night was to avoid any scrutiny that could provide an easy trail for the assassins to follow. At night in the country side we will not attract attention as there are nothing butt farming communities around here ...all of whom will be asleep right now. In the morning there will definitely be more people out to observe our passing. I do not want to make it easy for the assassin to find us.. nor do I want a confrontation with them in the Town of Harse... innocents would be at risk."

"I don't think waiting is wise when what we need now is haste to put as much distance between us that our pursuers."

Then he sighs, yawning reflexively, "{sigh}...but if the party is too weary to travel and the majority is against making haste in our traveling... I will relent, but I strongly would counsel against camping and resting until we are in Harse and have some solid walls around us!"

My sincere apologies. I got fixated on minor details of no real importance since we're almost certainly just in a travel montage right now. I had thought that I was right about riding in the dark on the crappy back trails we're using without light being insanely dangerous but an internet search shows that I was wrong. So, it was all player error (my character would have known better). The following is a moderately lame attempt to set things right in character.

Garridan goes up to Ashe and talks to him quietly

"You're quite right. But we have an old man and two people who were badly treated as captives with us. They're in no fit shape to ride day and night and need to rest. We'll make better time resting a few hours now. I didn't want to embarrass them or make them think they were holding us back."

Ashe yawns in reply to Garridan, looking at the haggard Vencarlo and Neolandis, "..I guess an hour will not make much difference... but not more.. they can sleep in the wagon even when its moving.. if a bit uncomfortably. Death, is far more uncomfortable I'd expect!"

Ashe pulls out a familiar tome of scrolls from his Handy Haversack - Belt pouch, at least to Edmund, and searches for a spell.. opening the binding he puts the tome away and casts a Keep Watch spell upon himself... so he can stay awake and make sure that no more than an hour of rest is taken.

...

After the hour Ashe gets everyone up and gets the party moving on to Harse. Once the party is moving again... he again pulls up his travel cloak hood and slumps in his saddle to sleep tying Red Hoof's reins to the wagon.

Majenko flutters down to perch upon his shoulder coiling up to cat nap as well...

OOC: Sorry if I'm tattooing my finger-prints all over everyone's back side to get us on to Harse! lol! I just want to get on with the next part of the adventure and get going. Been waiting for the next chapter of Curse of the Crimson Throne for almost a year now! ?{snicker}... so my apologies! :)

Edmund, previously covering for Garridan, rounds on him at his little spiel. "Old man?!" he asks indignantly.

I tried to have that conversation away from you. Unless you have some kind of unusual perception I don't think you've have heard it

Perception to hear whispering: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16

Guess not, then.

Akina stops the wagon, making the rounds while Ashe sleeps to lay down blankets and other gear in the wagon to make the space they have available as comfortable as possible. She makes her way to each person who remains awake and offers them a place to sleep. She checks to ensure everyone has water and food as well. Her demeanor is surprisingly kind and caring. That is until Ashe wakes again. When she hears him speak, she can't help but to respond.

"Death, is a natural process, and the Lady of Bones makes it as comfortable as your deeds in life deserve. As one who serves the Inheritor, I would not think entering her Heaven would seem such a fearful prospect. While no one should seek their reward before their cycle in the spiral is complete, I am surprised to here a paladin so afraid of the prospect as to act a paranoid madman. For that matter, I always thought your god made you immune to fear." Akina's response to Ashe's words carries her usual biting undertones.

Ashe refuses to be goaded into argument or harsh words, he has already stated his reasons for wanting to keep the party moving... and unless the party on the majority makes it clear they would rather stay in camp as long as everyone is moving after the hour's rest he makes no reply or comment.

He scans the terrain hoping they are not loosing too much time. He does not fear the Red Mantis Assassins... he has killed their agents before, he fears for his inability to keep them from harming those he has taken under his care, Neolandis and Vencarlo, even these new JUSTICARS. You cannot protect yourself from someone willing to kill themselves to hurt you or those dear to you...

Despite the unstealthy travel - or even the pause for rest - the only creature you see is an owl who flaps past, gazing at the party with big orange eyes before flying off towards Korvosa, pausing only to catch a field mouse on the way (unlike Majenko, he is not too proud to hunt mice!).

As dawn breaks, you reach Harse. It is a narrow village located on a strip of land at the point where Sarwin River empties into Falcon River. The village itself consists of only a few dozen buildings, including a church dedicated to Erastil, two groceries, two taverns (the Spotted Pony and the somewhat dingier Nag Bag), a large inn, and a bustling ferry service — this has been a traditional river-crossing site since as far back as Shoanti times. The northeastern edge of Harse features a large collection of stables and other buildings around an open field — the Harse Market, one of the most popular places to buy and trade livestock in the region, and the site of a yearly rodeo designed to single out the best animals and riders. The majority of Harse’s citizens don’t live in the village proper, but on one of the dozens of ranches and farms that dot the surrounding countryside.

Vencarlo rouses himself from dozing in the cart to give directions towards the Blackbird Ranch where his friends live, he says it's about 15 minutes beyond Harse.

Do you want to stop at Harse or go straight on to the Blackbird Ranch?

Iňuksuk stops briefly at the Church of Erastil, quickly falling back into his usual persona of a traveling priest of the faith. He speaks with the leader of the church to see what he can learn of local news, particularly any unusual events or visitors from Korvosa. It seems the priest has not had a fellow worshiper of Erastil visit in quite some time. He is a talkative fellow and Iňuksuk is unable to take his leave for four hours.
Diplomacy to gather information: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (20) + 13 = 33 1d4 ⇒ 4
Everyone else who doesn't have something to do in town should continue on to Blackbird Ranch. Iňuksuk would send Nini on with everyone else so she doesn't raise any alarm in town.
Stealth to leave town when he finishes speaking with the priest: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (6) + 16 = 22

Ashe wakes a little bleary-eyed in the morning from a night sleeping in a saddle astride the plodding along party. But his divine gifts have been restored and his first act is to call upon his goddess in silent prayer to lay hands on himself... banishing his fatigue with her mercy.

Not needing anything in Harse specifically,Ashe follows along letting Vencarlo lead the way.

Head directly to the ranch, completely avoiding the town. The less of us seen in town the better

Edmund sees Garridan itching to go around the village, and Edmund agrees. "Shall we go round, Ashe? Better that our pursuers find no reason to bother the good people of this village, yes?"

Ashe nods in agreement, "Aye, that is ... prudent. No, no need to get the citizens of Harse involved if it can be avoided."

Ashe will ride to Vencarlo's side and suggest doing just so... skirting the town as much as possible avoiding as much observation as possible on the party's way to Blackbird Ranch, but Ashe leaves the details to Vencarlo's direction as he is far more familiar with Harse than Ashe is.

Majenko uncoils from his shoulder and begins peering about as they ride on for the Ranch... his mind focusing on the part 'bird'... as Majenko loves freshly hunted bird!

Leaving Iňuksuk to visit the church in Harse, Vencarlo leads the rest of the party for a short 15-minute ride north from Harse along the Sarwin River, to where a moderately-sized horse ranch sits comfortably in the cleft of two low hills topped with small copses of fir trees. As you go he explains that it's the home of one Jasan Adriel and his family. Jasan is the only other surviving member of an adventuring party known as the Blackbirds that made a small fortune exploring the Storval Rise and the Mindspin Mountains.

The Blackbirds broke up more than 2 decades ago over an unfortunate conflict involving the rights to treasure looted from a dwarven tomb — Jasan and Vencarlo wanted to return the weapons recovered from the haunted tomb to Janderhoff, but the others in the group wanted to sell the weapons in Korvosa. The argument came to blows, and in the end Jasan and Vencarlo opted to retire from the adventuring business entirely. The remaining Blackbirds vanished without a trace in the dungeons below Kaer Maga not one season later, and both Jasan and Vencarlo counted themselves lucky at the time to have gotten out when they did!

When you all arrive, the entire party is greeted with open arms by Jasan, as if you all were his long-lost comrades. His wife, three sons and two daughters hurry out to welcome you in... and there's someone else... Trinia Sabor! She wastes no time in running up to a certain young Paladin and giving him a big hug.

Jasan has a booming voice and an infectious wide grin, and invites you all in.

Meanwhile, although the priest at the Harse church of Erastil doesn't stop talking, he has little to tell Iňuksuk. Times aren't bad in Harse, but neither are they great — the village, as with all of the Korvosan holdings in the region, rely upon trade from the city as well as regular support of patrols and the like from the Korvosan Guard and the Sable Company. With the city falling on such hard times, few merchants are coming to and from the city, and patrols have all but ceased. Highwaymen, bandits, and even goblins have become increasingly problematic on the roads. Whispers of what's going on in Korvosa are on everyone’s lips, especially since the number of refugees who have fled the city seems to be growing. Word is that the majority of these refugees are traveling to Palin's Cove or Veldraine, and that recently (with Queen Ileosa's closing of the city and institution of martial rule) the flow of refugees, and thus news, from Korvosa has all but ceased. He seems more eager to hear your news and wants to know all about what you have been doing and who, if anyone, you travelled with.

Ashe dismounts gazing around the ranch... clearly assessing its defensibly and or vulnerability to assault when he catches sight of... what must be heaven as his expression brightens more than anyone who has been in the presence of the cautious paladin has Ever seen; a smile splits his face and his eyes soften as he opens his arms to embrace the lovely short blonde-haired young woman in his eager arms! Hugging her close he buries his face in her fragrant soft hair... speechless at first clearly luxuriating in her feminine embrace...!

Majenko on his shoulder scurries around to perch partially on Trinia's shoulder and Ashe's encircling arm... his tail fluttering excitedly as he chirps joyfully... his keen senses discerning Ashe's racing heartbeat and swell of emotional joy at holding the woman his heart has longed for so long...

His words come almost breathlessly, "..Oh Trinia! I-I did not know.. you were here... or I would have come to visit you.. I swear! You have been in my thoughts constantly... like cool water to a parched man's soul is your smile to me... how have you been beloved?"

Whatever, urgency or needed attention for Neolandis or Vencarlo has been clearly pushed aside from his attention; as his frosty blue eyes gaze into the green eyes of beautiful bard in his arms... clearly he is a young man Deeply in Love!

OOC: OH Cool! I had no idea Trinia would be seen again in the game! lol! This may complicate things for the team! {chuckles!}

Iňuksuk fills the priest in on the common news of Korvosa, the situation in the city, but carefully avoids sharing any specifics of his own recent situation and maintains the guise of a lone priest-refugee from the city looking to care for others on the road. When he finishes the conversation he slips out of town as planned and joins the others at the ranch.
Bluff: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18

To Ashe:

"So, I'm guessing that you know each other :-)?"

Turning to Ashe, Vencarlo, Edmund and Marcus

"We're probably safe here and you need some rest and some time to relax. Physically and emotionally you need that rest. I'd suggest that you four just rest for the day. Inëlûkii, Akina, Iňuksuk, Talin and myself will split the watches. Tomorrow morning we can meet and plan our next move"

Inelukii smiles warmly as Ashe greets Trinia, pleased to see the lost and empty look leave the paladin's eyes. So this is the one his heart has been yearning for... I am glad they are together. I hope she shares his feelings.

"I will be happy to take a watch... I see well in the dark, so a mid or late watch would be fine for me."

sorry for my failure to post for so long - i was on a retreat and the wifi sucked at the beach house where we were staying

Akina raises a eyebrow in surprise as she watches the young lady embrace Ashe, and his words calling her beloved. She keeps her thoughts to herself and continues to unpack the wagon. The church of the Pharasma having loaned the two refuges clothes and food stock to aid them.

Trinia seems equally delighted at being reunited with Ashe.

Iňuksuk, the priest seems to accept your story, that you are a solitary wanderer who passed through Korvosa and now is passing through Harse, and eventually lets you go on your way. Do you know where you are going?

Meanwhile, back at the ranch Jasan's wife and daughters bustle about to prepare a large breakfast - there's pancakes and bacon and sausage and eggs, fresh bread and some fruit.

Ashe turns to Garridan with the young woman at his side an arm affectionately around her slim waist his expression beaming, "..aheh, y-yeah, this is Trinia Sabor, a bard-painter, she was commissioned by King Eodred to paint his portrait. The Queen accused her of poisoning him and sent the mercenaries she hired and liasoned me with to apprehend her. But something in her plea of innocence led me to believe perhaps the Queen was mistaken. So I er... well demanded we take her to the Cathedral-Fortress of PHARASMA to be put to the question by Bishop d'Bear under a discern lies miracle to determine if she was telling the truth. Trinia agreed to this, clearly very afraid of being falsely accused of so heinous a crime as regicide... which lent more weight to her plea of innocence. That was the first time I had made the acquaintance of Bishop d'Bear... I was not sure she would see to our request, but figured her word would be unquestionable in its impartiality and since the matter was the very stability of the kingdom as Trinia was being accused of assassination... it would be a weighty enough matter to gain the Bishop's direct attention! The issue being if Trinia was indeed innocent putting her on trail would let the 'REAL' assassin make good their escape. Well, clearly Trinia was telling the truth but when word was sent to the Queen... it was ignored~ no reply or even inquiry or request to turn Trinia over EVER came back from Castle Korvosa... and we confirmed the word was received by officials at the Castle! Another woman was said to have been apprehended as Trinia Sabor; which the Mercenaries and I knew was a base lie as we had secreted Trinia in the Cathdral of PHARASMA which the Queen knew perfectly well as our word told of her being in the custody of the Bishop. That clenched to us the fact that the Queen was duplicitous with the assassination of her husband!"

Ashe blushes at this point, "...I'll admit that perhaps I was not fully being totally objective myself considering Trina stole my heart from me at first sight.. but the Queen willingness to accuse another woman clearly NOT Trinia and claim it to be her proved the Queen's duplicitous connection if not guilt of covering up who ever actually DID kill the King!"

At which point he sighs, "..it was this quandary of what to do next that I think spurred the breakup of the original group. The Queen was going to publicly execute some other woman she claimed to be Trinia Sabor for the King's murder... and I was NOT about to let that happen!! Not only was it a miscarriage of justice... but a smearing of Trinia's good name! But the mercenaries did not wish to get involved in a manner that I deemed sufficient to force the Queen to stop this unjust action. Even if we rescued the innocent woman being executed... the Queen could just do it again with some other person. I felt this miscarriage of justice must be made public in the most open fashion possible by directly confronting the Queen with the truth! I felt we needed to shame the Queen so publicly with the truth that she would not DARE try such an unjust act again!!"

"Well to say the least... the mercenaries did not agree with how I chose to do this. I disguised myself in a Andoran costume Eagle mask and donning different armor & weapons and cloaked all in greys... I stormed the public execution, sparing the executioners life, calling myself The GREYEAGLE! Stopping the execution, with the help of my teammate and friend the invisible elven magus Varrel, I rescued~ who we would later learn was a drugged and feebleminded young woman named Saphira.. a small-time cutpurse who had only recently arrived in Korvosa and also innocent of murder after the Bishop questioned her as well under discern lies. Then I publicly revealed to the audience that the Bishop of PHARASMA had already questioned Trinia Sabor under truth detection and learned she was innocent of the King's murder.. and that the woman being executed was not even Trinia Sabor at all! I charged the Queen to stop tormenting the innocent and seek the REAL Assassin of the King.. warning that if she attempted such a miscarriage of justice again.. The GREYEAGLE would return to savage her plans with his talons again! Then I made my escape leaping over the walls of Castle Korvosa with my ring of featherfall to safety some 900 feet below at the base of the Grand Mestaba while Varrel with Sephira both under a invisibility and fly spell flew her away."

He chuckles, "I made sure the speech and antics were buffoonery enough to draw any attention away from me or the Mercenaries, but it worked... the Queen NEVER attempted to execute anyone else as a 'Trinia Sabor' again. She did put an equal bounty on the GREYEAGLE's head though; but my mercenaries companions were decidedly-unpleased with my efforts and eventually it led to the party breakup, sadly.. my fault to be sure. But I could not stand back and let evil go unchallenged with the light of truth!"

He sighs again, "The greatest evil is not men~ or women who misstep and walk the path of evil.. but for Good men who see their deeds to stay silent and let them continue to act unopposed!"

Ashe casts a respectful and knowing smile Vencarlo Orisini's direction...

Do you know where you are going?

Hopefully. Ashe has made me paranoid enough that I'm not planning to ask around for the location :) Plan A. Got the details before splitting up. Plan B. Empathetic link with Nini. Plan C. Go back to where we split and track them to within a mile. Follow Nini from there. Plan D. Cast commune with birds and ask them where they've seen the biggest damn cat they've ever seen.

Vencarlo returns Ashe's smile and nods.

Once breakfast is done, you are all shown to your rooms. The horses are a bit spooked by the griffon and that big cat, but Jasan shows you a remote barn where they can be stabled well away from his horses. He says that after lunch he will have something more to show you all.

Iňuksuk - oh, I'll be kind... you do find the ranch, although you arrive after breakfast is all cleared away! However something is roasting for lunch and it smells good!

Akina offers to aid in the breakfast preparation in whatever way they need. She offers her gratitude for the free meal and eats a bit. Akina drove the wagon all night and was likely the only person who has yet to even nap through the night. Her eyes are bleary and her body is weary. She is far more focused on going to bed than eating after pushing herself to stay up all night. A heavy yawn besets her, as she makes her way to the room offered her. She maker herself at home in the warm bed and quickly falls to the glory of rest.

Ashe eats breakfast a bit distractedly clearly having to force himself to focus on it as he and Trinia engage in conversation...

Ashe relates to her in-detail the many events that he was involved with after she was spirited to safety~~~ the discovery of the plague, Ashe's treating of the young girl Brienna 'Breeze' Saldado, the strangely peaceful meeting with Yvicca the resident Sea Hag residing with her Jigsaw-shark companion 'Skinshear' in the underwater wreck of the "Direption", the meeting with the Dastardly evil 'Dr' Reiner Davaulus, the Queen's physician... in truth a Red Mantis Assassin Field Director, the personal audience Ashe had with the stunningly beautiful Queen Ileosa Arabasti arm-in-arm, walking and talking in Castle Korvosa Throne room that brought him to realize she was not just duplicitous in the King's death but it was ALL her plot... even the spreading of the Blood Veil sickness in the city, the meeting with Eries Yelloweyes the wererat woman rescued from Ryloth's lair and her pointing them to deal with Girrigz Ripperclaws the male wererat provocateur who planned to burn all of Korvosa~ the assault on the wererat lair slaying of Girrigz and the mercy Ashe showed to the peaceful wererats who only wanted to be left to live in peace, the infiltration of the Hospice of the Blessed Maiden... the mercy Ashe showed to the Grey Maidens who had no idea grizzly experiments were going on Varisians resistant to the disease, the battle and arrest of 'Dr' Reiner Davaulus... and the discovery of the Urgathoan Cathedral beneath the Hospice actually manufacturing the vile plague - Blood Veil, the battles with the Clerics of the Pallid Princess and the wanted criminal Necromancer - Ryloth, the battle with the beautiful and deadly High Priestess - Lady Andasian, and the second battle when she raised to unholy apotheosis as a Saint of Urgathoa - a Daughter of Urgathoa along with the battle with the Deamon of plague - a Leukodaemon a servitor of the HORSEMEN, the peaceful meeting with the Nosferatu Lord Ramoska Arkminos.. and his personal quest to find a cure to his vampirism so he may at last die with his soul intact, Remoska's aid to Ashe developing first a vaccine and eventually a cure for the Blood Veil plague with his physician skills and Ashe allowing the helpful and damned vampire to return home to Ustalav to continue his important research, the failed Assasination attempt and slaying of Ashe's Grand-Uncle Marcus Thassilonius Endrin on Queen Ileosa, the seeking of Vencarlo on Old Korvosa battling the four Red Mantis Assassins in his school, the meeting with the lovely {if twisted} elven priestess of Zon-Kuthon, Laori Vaus, and the defeat of Pilts Swatel the self-styled Emperor of Korvosa and manager of the vile Museum de'macabre - ”Exemplary Excrables” and the rescue of the 'mad' painter Salvator Scream, the Assault on the Arkona Palace and the discovery and battle with its many resident Rakshasas and the revealing of Golario and Vimanda Arkona as Rahshasa, the entry into the Arknoa caverns the battle with the Spore-infested Jann-skeltons and the noble death of Graxer Firebeard, the entry into the Vivfied Labyrinth with its many traps and the rescue of Vencarlo and Neolandis with the battle with the disturbingly beautiful yet~ deadly, cruel and evil multiple limbed and faced Asura, Upasunda, outsider a 'Beautific One', and their eventual escape from Old Korvosa on the back of a flying white elephant!

OOC: Oddly enough none of that is exaggeration on Ashe's role or part he played in those events!

But Ashe let's Trinia know through all of that.. he never stopped thinking of her lovely smile...

After breakfast Ashe and Trinia retire to his room and Ashe removes his armor and weapons for once in a long time and lies on the bed with Trinia at his side.

They do nothing more than talk about their childhood, training and upbringing~ gaining familiarity with each other. But mostly holding hands as Ashe rest dozing off and on again between their conversation resting to recover his strength.

Merely having Trinia close, sharing her company enough to calm his heart and sooth his worries until he is truly asleep and she slips out of his room quietly to let him fully rest.

OOC: Hope you don't mind my autopiloting Trinia Megan.. some things translate well in sit-down MUCH better than the clumsy interchange of delayed posts at a forum?

No worries, Ashe. You and Trina enjoy your snuggle...

Everybody gets a chance to rest and refresh themselves. When Jasan sees how tired you all are, lunch drifts later and isn't served until late afternoon!

Eventually, however, you all sit down to roast lamb, mashed potatoes, greenleaved vegetables and mint sauce.

After the pleasant and filling meal, Jasan leads the party, Neolandus, Vencarlo, and Trinia down into his basement, a place he uses to brew his own beer. His home-grown hooch is a bit rough, but the true reason he relocates down here is so he and the others can talk frankly without worrying his family. When Vencarlo introduces Neolandus by name, Jasan's eyes widen and he whistles in admiration at the audacity of his home becoming the hideout of Korvosa's seneschal.

Vencarlo and Neolandus speak up first, recognising that there are too many people to stay long - Blackbird Ranch isn't big enough for quite such a troop. Moreover, they are known fugitives, and Queen Ileosa will spare little expense in tracking them down. Her Red Mantis agents were close to discovering Neolandus in Old Korvosa, and it shouldn't take them long to sift through the recent events there and to piece together what happened.

Jasan agrees, and says that he'll take his family - and Trinia if she likes - to Magnimar for a while until all this blows over. Vencarlo and Neolandus decide to seek asylum at the dwarven city of Janderhoff. Before everyone scatters, however, Neolandus wants to share everything that he knows.

"If Queen Ileosa is to be defeated," he says, "Someone has to travel into the Cinderlands and contact the Shoanti to find out what they know of the Fangs of Kazavon, and how best to defeat the ancient evil."

"This is what I know. When I confronted Queen Ileosa about King Eodred II's death, her response was to send Red Mantis assassins after me — proof enough of guilt in my book. Through a combination of luck and knowledge about the castle's layout, I barely managed to escape with my life and went into hiding with my friend Salvator Scream in Old Korvosa.

"After I recovered from the attack but before Salvator handed me over to the Arkonas, I spent much of my time in Old Korvosa researching the situation by interviewing key people, poring through records in Endrin Academy, and piecing together information and rumours I'd heard to try to determine what caused Queen Ileosa's sudden personality change from a petulant spoiled queen to a scheming murderous tyrant.

"My suspicions grew, but until Queen Ileosa's first public appearance after the plague, I tempered my suspicions with hope. I knew that Queen Ileosa had been 'borrowing' the treasury key to look through Korvosa's holdings. I was also familiar with several old and obscure legends about the chambers below Castle Korvosa - chambers, it was whispered, that were old even when the Shoanti dwelt here, and that used to hide something of great power or evil... or both. There was little more information to go on, but I did uncover mention in some documents from Korvosa's earliest days of something called Midnight's Teeth, and that these teeth were believed to be some sort of sacred relic of great import to the Shoanti. Circumstantial evidence indicates that the Shoanti kept these teeth in the chambers inside the pyramid that now serves as Castle Korvosa's foundation.

"My further research uncovered an old legend that chilled my soul. Several hundred years ago, a powerful blue dragon and agent of Zon-Kuthon named Kazavon brought the orcs of Belkzen to their knees and began conquering the neighboring nations of Ustalav and Lastwall, until he was finally defeated and his remains scattered. Some of these remains, according to certain Zon-Kuthonic scriptures, contained fragments of Kazavon's essence. One of these relics was the Fangs of Kazavon.

"By piecing together my evidence, I suspect that Midnight's Teeth were none other than the Fangs of Kazavon. The description of the queen's new crown sounds to me as if she now wears the Fangs of Kazavon on her brow, the implications of which troubles me greatly.

"I wasn't able to gather much more information before the Arkonas took me, but I don't suspect there was much more to learn. Hard facts about Midnight's Teeth were sparse to begin with — Korvosa's founders didn't think it important to preserve much in the way of Shoanti culture. Yet there is still some hope. The Shoanti have very strong oral traditions, and if anyone knows the truth behind Midnight's Teeth, that truth is doubtless hidden among their historians up in the Cinderlands."

He takes a sip of his ale and looks around you all.

Ashe grimaces, "...so there it is. We must go to the Shoanti of the Cinderlands and find out how this Kazavon was defeated before. Whatever was used to put that would-be tyrant down... must certainly be useful in ending Ileosa's rein, assuming she is being empowered by the spirit of the Evil Dragon Conqueror! I think the best place to start would be to find 'Thousand-Bones'... Way-Keeper of the Skoan-Quah, the Clan of the Skull a Shoanti Tribal chief if I recall. He was aided by me and my companions, at the time, he was last in Korvosa in need of aid to secure the slain body of his grandson Gaeken. He may be willing to aid us!"

Those watching Garridan probably notice several different emotions crossing his face as Neolandis talks. There is the expected apprehension and determination, but also something that seems to be happiness at the conclusion

"Well, it appears that the time to visit some of my distant family has finally arrived. While I agree that starting with Thousand Bones is the way to start, if that fails perhaps one of my distant cousins may be of use. Assuming, of course, that I can find one.

I'd suggest that we get up before dawn and travel all day, camping out at night. We'll make better time that way in the long term and still mostly avoid notice. Although it might be best if our friends Hippogriff travel mostly on foot if he is willing, at least until we get closer to the hills and mountains where such can be seen in the sky"

"If you have some contacts within the Shoanti, so much the better," said Neolandis. "These are not matters they speak of freely to outsiders."

Ashe ponders what Neolandis proposes commenting, "When you arrive in Janderhoff, you might seek shelter with the Firebeard Clan among the dwarves of Janderhoff. They may be well-disposed to you if you mention their son's, Graxer's, efforts to rescue you from the evil Red Mantis!"

"It would be best if neither of us reveal what our course of travel or ultimate destination is. What we do not know, we can't reveal."

Ashe turns to regard Trinia, loving longing in his gaze, softly he asks,"...darling Trinia, what will you do...?

"What do you think best, my love?" replied Trinia, smiling gently and laying one hand on the young paladin's forearm.

Ashe meets her eyes and blushes hotly at her tender touch, his gaze lowering as he gently takes her hand in his... swallowing hard before saying, "..m-my...judgement... is... in question right now. MY 'Heart' says, 'to never let you out of my sight again... to keep you close where I can protect you...' but that would surly lead you into danger! I... don't care~ what is 'best'... all I know is I Love You, Trinia ..and I can't bear knowing you are not near..!!"

He tenderly pulls her into an embrace laying a cheek against her forehead... his other arm encircling her slender waist; eyes closed~ a tremble of affection going through his touch he whispers, "...I'm sorry... I know that does not help~"

Turning towards Ashe and Trinia
"The decision is clearly up to the two of you. I'll certainly help to protect her should she accompany us. But we're expecting to be attacked by Red Mantis, who are known to use any and all tactics, including taking hostages. And we're going into the Cinderlands, a very dangerous place where we will NOT be able to protect her from all of the dangers.

But we're heading first to Kaer Maga, I believe. Perhaps a compromise would be for her to join us that far and then for you to part?"

Ashe's demeanor changes... subtly, the set of his shoulders and a stark steely determination in his frosty blue-eyed gaze, "...I know of the Red Mantis and their tactics, and I would still feel more at ease with Trinia at my side where I can aid in her protection... rather than where I cannot whatsoever help or protect her! If there is danger I would rather face it together with my beloved at my side... and ON MY LIFE or WITH MY DEATH I will defend her to the Bitter end~ whatever that may be... For VICTORY..For the HEART! I refuse to deny my heart in the face of threat!!"

Then he calms his zeal and speaks with less passion, "...but as I stated before, my judgement is ...biased by my love, in truth the decision is yours beloved Trinia! Friend Garridan speaks wise truth... we ride into danger and are stalked by evil... death will be our close companion. Are you willing to risk your life to accompany us on our quest... at my side?"

Jasan reiterates his offer to have Trinia accompany his family to Magnimar.