Raziel tumbles out of the bed he had just sought, and grabs his scimatar, preparing to fight.
At Lisabett's call, he moves towards her, looking for Sorin. Raziel will also keep an eye out for Koya.
"There, by the westernmost wagon, things lurk," he points out.
Sorin jumps up and immediately begins looking for waves of wolves and goblins.
Seeing absolutely nothing out of the ordinary he grabs his glaive and starts to head to Lisabett. He stops when he hears Raziel and turns to face west. Still not seeing anything, he'll slowly edge his way over to Lisabett, focusing to the west.
Perception check:
Almar extracts his gun, but doesn't seem to realize the creatures, whatever they are, moved on the other side of the caravan. Then Raziel's warning warns him and he runs towards the westernmost wagon
As it has been announced that the movement is in the vicinity of the westernmost wagon, the caravan's defenders turn their attention there. There is a rustle of dry grass, followed by several soft whimpers.
You see them at the edge of the flickering torchlight - nearly a dozen wolves, thin and emaciated. Though they appear desperate for food, there is nothing aggressive in their manner. Their green eyes flash at you as they watch those gathered with rapt attention.
"These wolves look half dead." Sorin mentions quietly. "Is that normal for this time of year? I thought there was plenty of game for them to eat at this time."
Almar's tension lessens as he realizes the wolves don't pose a real threat:"Sad as it may be they are wolves and we are people. Let them be, they'll move to other hunting grounds if game is scarce here or they'll die. Not our problem, and sorry for waking everyone, false alarm it seems"
As if comprehending your conversation, the wolves turn from you and disappear into the night. After a time, the sentries return to their posts, and the others return to their sleep. The rest of the night passes without incident.
The next day, Sandru rouses everybody early and has the caravan underway just after dawn. It is a long, tiring day, but it is uneventful. The day after, Sandru seems continually dissatisfied with the pace of travel, but when the lights of Galduria come into view, an expression of relief comes to his face at last.
As you bring the caravan through town, you notice the streets are all but empty. Perhaps Galduria simply lacks the modest nightlife of Sandpoint. Or, perhaps something is wrong.
Almar looks at the town and then at Sandru:"Scouting party?", it's the only thing he says.
"Most strange." Sandru's brow wrinkles. "Galdurians are not shy. I always receive a welcome here. Something is wrong." He is quiet for a moment.
He dismounts from the wagon and kneels to the ground, brushing his fingers around in the dirt. "Yes. By all means, go knock on some doors."
Perception check:
Almar notes the crossbowman. He elbows Sandru and tries to point at him without being cospicious about it.
Sleight of hand check:
Seeing the lone crossbowman, and not too sure what is going on, Setomi moves over to where the others are gathered, noticing the signs that Almar tries to pass to Sandru.
Sorin fails to notice anything and blithely continues walking and looking around.
Sandru nods at Almar. "Disconcerting, no?" he whispers after a moment. "Hard to call him a foe without knowing more. What do you say? Announce that we see him, or try to sneak up and get a closer look?"
"Gentlemen, I believe the man on the roof may be a decoy. He does not move...at all. He is either dead or unconscious. I shall go and take a closer look"
Setomi slides into the shadows and moves towards the building, looking for a way to get to the roof.
"Seems like our cook decided for us. But I was going to say it's better to sneak on him, if he's a friend that won't really change anything but if he's an enemy announcing yourself is just giving him a clear shot at you..."
"Well-reasoned. Let him announce his intentions first...if he has any." Sandru frowns. He squints into the shadows surrounding the house.
"Where did Setomi go?" Sandru murmurs. "I cannot see her shape at all."
"If the wolves are in so poor a state, and they are territorial, why are we expecting that men and women with hearts and obligations will remain in an environs that cannot support them?" Lisabett wonders when the others call for a scouting party.
[ooc]Lisabett Perception
Lisabett's eyes pop as the slight Setomi simply wanders from the caravan in the direction of the sentry, and further that none seem to be disconcerted by her behavior. Shaking her head, Lisabett deliberately slows and allows the caravan to pass her by, remaining within range to assist with her magics should they be required.
Shalelu Andosana fingers an arrow and makes no attempt to hide it. Her eyes are upon the figure on the roof. "It will do us little good to expect anything other than trouble, Lisabett." the elf responds, standing still beside the Ulfen as the caravan ambles forward.
Raziel watches as Setomi disapears from plain sight, almost as if by magic (although he knows that anyone trained may do so, as Shelalu has often demonstrated).
He fidgets a bit, standing close to Sorin and Sandru, but wanting to check back on Koya.
Setomi moves quickly to the poorly build chimney and begins to scale it. Once on the room she moves cautiously towards the figure of the crossbowman.
His crossbow is fitted with a bolt, and the winch is drawn back. The slightest provocation could cause the weapon to fire.
Setommi carefully remove the bolt from the crossbow then signals down to the others. I will try to wake the man once his crossbow is disarmed, or see why he is unconcious (wound, poison, sleep?)
A shadow appears above the figure and reaches carefully over him. With deft fingers, Setomi releases the tension in the crossbow and retrieves the bolt. She makes a quick hand signal to those below, and lightly shakes the still figure.
"Ah!" The man springs up in surprise, fumbling for his crossbow. The weapon slides down the slanted roof, away from his grip and down onto the top of the storm drain. The man looks up at Setomi fearfully. "Don't!" he cries out.
Setomi freezes and quickly looks over the other rooftops in the town.
The other rooftops seem to be clear. Aside from a young woman hustling to her door in a nearby alley, you do not see any other people out in the night.
Setomi turns her attention to the crossbowman. "What are you doing here? Where is everyone?"
"It was when they found the women. Three women found dead. Brothel girls, but nice girls." The man pushes himself up to sitting. "And the same night, the north and south watchtowers just vanished. Along with the barracks. They were full of guards. People we all knew, just vanished. Been quiet since then. We've been watching the road in shifts." A confused look comes to the man's face. He glances down at the caravan, then back up at Setomi. "And you? You're with a caravan? You don't look Varisian. You look like..." His fearful voice trails off.
"Yes I am with the caravan. The cook, in fact. Why do we not go down and talk to Sandru, he is the leader of our caravan." Setomi smile and lightly jumps down from the perch on the roof and makes her way over to the rest of the party and informs them what the man told her.
"He seemed sort of disturbed by my Tien-looks. I do not know why."
Perception check:
Almar's look gains a grim undertone as he overhears the exchange between Setomi and the man:"I heard that. And I think I know exactly what happened here... Hey, fellow! Come down here so we can talk. We are not with the fiend who assaulted you, we are here to hunt him down"
Sorin clucks his tongue realizing that somethings already happening and he's missed it. He can't make out what Setomi says but Almar's response puts him ill at ease. He looks at Mother Koya and then at the sky.
It is said that Lady Desna and Lady Shelyn are friends; do they both plan to test me during this trek?
The man climbs back into his window from the roof, retrieving his crossbow as he does so. Soon after, he unlocks the front door of the house and comes out, carefully locking it again behind him. Cautiously, he approaches.
The man has flecks of grey in his hair and beard, and the deeply worried look he bears makes you wonder if most of it is recent. Someelief comes to his weathered face as he sees Sandru.
"Of course." Sandru replies, not seeming to recall.
Deni turns to Almar. "What happened here? I can't say, really. Like I told your...your cook: three girls come up dead, and the watchtowers disappear, guards and all. Now the first thing is hard to swallow, but the other bit? What kind of sorcery moves whole buildings away in the blink of an eye?"
Almar strokes his chin, thoughtfully:"I can't say I know of any. But the man I'm hunting, the one with the black robes... he's some sort of magician... I've seen him rip the souls out of more than twenty able bodied men. I won't put past him making an edifice disappear out of thin air"
Setomi asks, "Can we maybe look over the area where the towers and build once were? Perhaps one of our spellcasters may be able to discern something."
Lisabett shakes her head gravely. "Unless the magics were incredibly strong, any trace of what was used will have faded," she says, and looks to Almar, "if magic was used."
Deni's face drains to nearly white. "Black robes? That's the man they speak of! At least as far as I've heard. He walked into town all on his own, maybe a week ago. Went straight for the brothel. I didn't see him come in. Nobody saw him leave, that I've talked to. It's just, the girls were dead and he was the one who had gone. Him and the sentries, but not a one of our men at arms would have done a thing like that. Couldn't have done a thing like...well, any of this..." He looks up at Almar, his eyes wild. "What's that about ripping up souls? Who is this...monster? Will he come back?"
Almar's stoic composure cracks for a second and a look of sadness, and maybe anguish can be seen passing in his eyes, then literally in the blink of an eye he's back at normal:"I don't know, he never came back untill now, he seems to be moving towards something, but I don't know what. That said you could do worse than shoot him on sight if you're sure he's coming back, he's well past the benefit of the doubt, as you said, he's a monster, pure and simple"
"So you've been following him?" Deni takes a step back. He eyes Almar reluctantly. "Bounty hunter, or are you some kind of law?"
Sandru interjects in Varisian.
The man turns and starts moving towards the door of the inn.
You arrive at the door of the inn. Deni looks back at you. "How many mean to get a bed tonight?"
Lisabett notes the concern on the faces of the citizens, and considers her position carefully for a few moments, remaining quiet. "I will remain with the wagons, and the animals," Lisabett adds after a moment. She spares a glance for Sandru and manages a faint smile. "I prefer the elements in the summer months."
"Aye, I'll stay with the wagons as well." Sandru replies. "My bedroll is familiar to me, at least." He smiles.
"Very well then." Deni knocks on the door.
"What's that going on out there?" A woman's voice sounds within.
"It's Deni. Some travelers out here, and I'll vouch for them." He replies.
"And how do I know it be you? They say there are shapechangers about."
"Open the door if your birthday is the third day of Calistril, Elya."
There is a rustling, and the click of a lock, and the door opens. A heavyset woman wearing a reluctant grin stands before you. "You remember my birthday!"
"Aye, how could I forget that night?" Deni guffaws, then realizes there are several people nearby. "Anyway, there's some here need rooms."
"Good to see trade." She exclaims. "Wasn't sure if I ever would again. That's three silver a room, if you like."
Setomi will inquire about restocking the food wagon, if possible with the inn keeper. She will also bring out a meal for Sandru and Lisabett and sit with them while they eat. She is kinda interested in the giant norsewoman....but will not actually come out and say it..being somewhat shy and such..
Raziel will stay at the inn, although he will spend his time keeping near to Koya (in case she needs something).
"The cost of the inn will be covered by me." Ameiko insists.
"Mother told me much about our family heritage before she died, and I have been trying very hard to live up to the honour of my clan. Much is still new to me, but I am glad to help wherever I can."
"Yes." Ameiko replies, her eyes downcast. "I wish there was as much to know about mine. But perhaps there is...I just have yet to discover it. At any rate, I am tired. Goodnight, Setomi."
A mist hangs in the streets of Galduria this morning. Though not as thick as the one you dreamed of, it is still a rather strange sight for this time of year in Varisia.
"We're loading and unloading supplies and are like to spend one more night here." Sandru's voice is among the first to greet your ears today. "I'd like to be underway tomorrow morning unless we have good reason not to be. Run your errands and investigate your hunches. We'll talk this evening."
The Iron Horseshoe is the local smithy, and though its specialty lies closer to its namesake, it has a few weapons and armor pieces for sale. Hareb's General Goods has just about everything else.
Almar almost jumps out of his bedroll:"Just a dream... again. But with all these desnan people here a dream is not really "just a dream" I fear. Maybe we should check the place where these towers stood..."
Almar quickly arms himself and goes to search for Sandru to see if he can leave the caravan to investigate the towers site.