Master Parisos will purchase a set of clothing suitable for a desperate pilgrim.
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You find the clothing you are looking for no problem. You ask around about a caravan or something to Morolt. The merchants mention there are some leaving unofficially to Morolt at dusk, since there is an Imperial embargo on the city they have there through Sametia, but they are willing to do so to escape the plague.
Ki-Maj also purchases some similar clothing. "I have small preparations to make before dusk, but I believe I will be ready to depart to Morolt then. You are welcome to accompany me Master Parisos, or we can meet back at the caravan."
Ki-Maj believes this is a wise corse of action and Guzur Moog is ready to join them on the road to Shona.
While waiting for Ki-Maj on the sidewalk, Master Parisos turns to a shadowed corner of a nearby building and mutters; "I'll be on the caravan to Shona. Follow us."
A deep voice replies quietly; "I will be within shouting distance."
Parisos nods and walks off. An observer would notice nothing unusual about the empty shadowed corner.
Guzur Moog and Ki-Maj will patrol the clearing and if it looks safe and somewhat defensible then Ki-Maj agrees this would be a good place to camp for the night.
The caravans encircle inside the clearing creating somewhat of a parameter.Good of you to join us, it was hard to find people willing to go through Sametia. What's your name friend? I'm Gurney. A toothless man attempts to strike up conversation as he continues to go about his chores.
Master Parisos looks around with his darkvision, while striking up a pipe and starting to smoke.
"Hm. Looks alright." He turns to Gurney. "I suppose you can call me Parisos. Have you been this way often?"
"Gurney, I am Ki-Maj. Happy to be of service to your caravan. You must carry something of great importance to be willing to travel to Sametia yourself?" Ki-Maj says, being as friendly as he can.
Gurney ponders your words for a moment, then saysAye, I do. We all do. Our families. We mean to join up with the Emissary and to be safe from the plague. Some of us have been as far south as the Protectorate and as far north as Reis, and have yet to find a place free of it. It may be a gamble, but its one I can't afford to miss.
Ki-Maj nods as Gurney speaks, "Indeed, then you have the most precious things that need protecting. We shall not fail you, or your families. I have also been intrigued by the stories I've heard that the Emissary possesses a cure for this plague that spreads across the land. I pray the truth of it is more than story."
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Before you are able to rest much there is a scream as one of the caravaners that went of to get water begins to run at full speed back to the camp. Behind him is a cat-like beast that has no fur on its head.
Roll Initiative
It seemed like he should know what this creature is, but cannot quite bring it to mind.
Blast it! He was too late! He thought as he launched himself towards the attacker.
He sent an arcane surge of power through his staff as he moved, infusing it with deadly force.
If he can get there in time to attack, he lunges out...
for a possible arcane crush damage.
If the beast is not within melee range Ki-Maj will use mind thrust (DC 15) or take .
Otherwise spear attack: for .
Ki-Maj looks at the fallen man briefly and calls out, "Guzur Moog aid this man if you can." He then blinks out of existence in the direction of the beast chasing after it.
Guzur Moog keels down before the young man, taking out a healer's kit and attempts to stabilize his wounds. Heal
Master Parisos skids to a stop, unable to catch up to the four footed monster. He takes out a wand of Magic Missile but his target is lost in the woods before he can fire.
Eyes flaring with ire, he puts his wand away and returns to the young man to see what he could do.
With some hesitation, he takes out an irreplacable Potion of Cure Light Wounds and offers it to aid recovery.
The young man wakes with the Cure light Wounds potion. The mother cries with joy Oh thank you! Then she immediately berates the young man for going off on his own.
Ki-Maj can see the beast and almost closed the distance on it. He is aprox 30' away but moving incredibly fast through the forested swamp.
I guess its best we set up a guard detail for the night and begin getting ready to sleep. Gurney says loudly and whistles to get everyone's attention.
Once Ki-Maj is within 30' he'll use Mind Thrust (DC 15 Will) again to try and bring the beast down.
Ki-Maj returns to the caravan site. "I wasn't able to kill it, but I doubt it'll come back. We'll post guards over night at any rate."
Parisos turns slowly, scanning the horizon. Seeing the riders, he nudges Ki-Maj.
"Those riders. Do you recognize them Ki-Maj?"
Perception:
Ki-Maj shakes his head at Master Parisos' question. "I do not." Ki-Maj will ready his crossbow. "Hopefully I am mistaken, but I do not like the look of this." Ki-Maj watches for hostile or threatening actions from the riders.
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The Riders are fairly far out aprox 1,000 yards, it would seem they are just watching from a distance.
Knowledge: Local
Ki-Maj helps settle the camp for the night around the lake.
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As you are setting up camp a fight breaks out between two merchants. Apparently one merchant's daughter, who is a Kalisan, has been showing affection to another merchant's son, who is a Human. The Kalisan family has no issue with it, but the Human family seems to have a real issue with it and swords have been drawn by the two fathers.
Ki-Maj approaches the two men calm but forceful, "Fathers, let us put the weapons down. Nothing has yet been done which requires bloodshed. "
Master Parisos hangs back, ready to aid Ki-Maj if necessary.
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The Fathers are surprised at your concern and pause for a moment, Well fine, just stay away from my son, and he will stay away from your daughter The human merchant says as he walks off in a huff.
The rest of the evening goes by with out much else. A few travelers also following the same course come by and mention they too have seen archers on horse back.
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On the third day you come to a valley that seems to have a lot of traffic, there are tracks of horses coming and going in almost all directions. You pause for a moment to consider this, and you start to see men on horseback all around you. A small group of horsemen approach you from the main group.
A large man begins to speak dressed In the usual attire for a member of the Janus Horde. I am feeling generous today so I will allow you to surrender. We will just take your food, horses and weapons. The rest you may keep. Who knows you might even last another day. The men behind him start to laugh.
Standing next to each other, Master Parisos turns to Ki-Maj and takes his pipe out of his mouth.
"Dare I think that we are in agreement here? That this is not an option?"
As the two of you converse about what to do there is a commotion in the distance. The man who is speaking to you turns and screams Plagued Raiders! In the distance it looks like the horsemen are in battle with humanoid figures you can not make out. Gurney gives a command to his caravanRide ahead for all yer worth let's let these two kill each other.
Nodding at Master Parisos' assessment of the situation, Ki-Maj says quietly "It is not exactly our decision to make, but I don't believe they paid us to die at hundreds of hands either."
When the commotion breaks out, Ki-Maj will try to use ectoplasmic sheen just in front of any of the riders' horses that try to follow.
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The small group of Janus horde hesitate for a moment, not wanting their prey to get away, but they soon join the charge with their comrades. Already it is apparent that fallen Janus horde are returning from their deaths and quickly turning the tide. You know the outcome of this scenario and believe the Caravan leader has the right idea.
Master Parisos nods in agreement and, suiting action to words, aids the caravans movement however he can.