Kana joins up with the rest of the party just in time to overhear Gauntlet talking.
Another one of those? And just as ... flexible it seems. You realize that getting captured and nearly killed or whatever isn't quite the same as walking away?
She considers for a moment.
On the other hand, now that we rescued you, we fulfilled our contract. Not our problem if you go somewhere else... And we don't have to take the direct route either. Tell me more about that Schema! Maybe we'll feel inclinced to help you out there. Otherwise you would probably be hopelessly lost anyway.
She then stares at Pink-Eye in silence, for the moment.
EE makes his horse turn back, now that they have a pair of minutes to catch their breath. He searches his bags for a metal can, labeled "Electric Eye's Sparkplug Change Repairing Oil". "Here, try one of these!" he says, tossing the can at the big adamantine guy.
"You are a Drow? I've only seen a few of your kind, back in Sharn. I appreciate all of your help in our rescue, and you have no reason to continue withe us. All I can tell you was that our patron was quite insistent that we retrieve the schema. Something evidently quite rare and powerful when combined with some other one we found recently back in Sharn already."
Turning to EE, he offers to give the oil back.
"I'm pretty resilient and not in any pain of course...and I actually have a few of those kinds of potions myself. However since I'm not willing to use my own yet, I see no reason to waste yours since all I need is a few hours of repair time. OK...maybe a few days really..."
Frank looks at Gauntlet incredulously.
"Fun fact, there are still enemy reinforcements coming, so our rescue operation isn't quite done yet."
Frank motions towards the approaching cloud of dust.
"You might want to drink that and more besides."
Gauntlet lets out a sound resembling a sigh.
"You need to leave me behind then. Without a wagon I cannot keep up with you, and a normal horse won't bear my weight nor will they let me approach usually. My creation...was not normal. My aura is tainted. Most normal animals will not approach me willingly, much less bear me upon their back. Go! I will follow as best I can with some potions I have, and hide when I must. I can at least attempt that."
A look of concern crosses Frank's face. Thinking fast, he asks "hey, uh- what about abnormal animals?"
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Looking ashamed Gauntlet shrugs at Franks's question.
"Weird and supernatural creatures are actually attracted to me sometimes. One of my previous compatriots had a creature living in her hand that kept wanting to touch me. Very odd I think."
"Have an any aversion to riding in a wagon?" the graceful blond who'd healed Gauntlet earlier asked.
"None."
"Right, I forgot about the wagons. I'll keep my limitless supply of rope to myself, then." Frank stands with his back to the north, wondering how many horses they can grab
Pink Eye says I am in this until I am not. The others we were with. There must be information of what was done with them. In addition, this place we are at is supposed to have information leading to the schema. It is out there but we have no idea where and our employer had no idea all these people were here I imagine Pink Eye says shrugging and asking for help while they get the wagon to put on his chain mail
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Talia sighs as what she said was seemingly ignored and goes off about 10 feet and sulks.
Frank watches Talia wander a short distance and sulk.
She might be worse than B...
Remembering the incoming army, Frank turns back to the others that have gathered.
"So, why don't we figure that out on the way? Perhaps after raiding this place for any transportation and maps they have lying around? I think we only have one good choice for places to run anyway.
...and by good I mean least bad."
Meridian settles her hood back over her head, "There is a most curious sort of map in this larger room. Something to do with House Cannith. I was working on trying to figure it out, but that Garrow person started threatening me. The mist hiding it should dissipate in fairly short order. Also, Gauntlet and Pink-Eye, your stuff is probably in amongst all of this." So saying, she heads into the room to recover her own equipment.
As it seems clear they're not fleeing right now, EE hops down from the horse. At the mention of maps, he follows the little dragon woman, in the hopes of finding something interesting that allows them to get out of the way of the incoming group of soldiers. Just before starting moving, though, he turns for a moment to Gauntlet. <Drink the oil. Will be spoiled by tomorrow anyway.>
Understanding EE's meaning he nods and applies/drinks the potion.
Meridian settles her hood back over her head, "There is a most curious sort of map in this larger room. Something to do with House Cannith. I was working on trying to figure it out, but that Garrow person started threatening me. The mist hiding it should dissipate in fairly short order. Also, Gauntlet and Pink-Eye, your stuff is probably in amongst all of this." So saying, she heads into the room to recover her own equipment.
As the ex-prisoners gather their things, Frank summons Broulnindre . Frank and (a rather disappointed) Broulnindre hop on a pair of horses that are no longer stampeding and ride them to the wagons where they wait for everyone else to catch up with crossbow and claws at the ready.
Once she shows the others and explains the usage of the map room and after they have gotten what they need from it, Meridian will spend a few moments hurling bolts of power into portions of the map and the carvings that unlocked it in an attempt to delay or destroy their enemies' ability to use the map chamber.
After that, she will gather anything useful and unclaimed from the looted equipment and find a horse...
Gauntlet will help with anything he can to speed things along, other than with the horses.
He will then climb into a wagon and let someone else pilot the craft, since his presence could cause the horses to panic.
From behind a mask of make-up Kana blushes and looks at Gauntlet, touching her hair and face for any obvious mishaps.
A what? Never heard of that. I'm just a regular elf from the Vale.
Let's make it like this: We get out of here before that cloud of dust and whatever causes it is here. Then we talk more about this schema and lost people.
As the others gather, Broulnindre eyes the extra wagon.
Hopping off the horse she helped collect, she borrows Frank's masterwork thieves' tools, moves to the wagon, and tries to sabotage the two left wheels.
[dice="Disable or rig tricky device" vs DC 15(+5 for leaving no trace)]1d20+21[/dice]
[dice="Disable or rig tricky device" vs DC 15(+5 for leaving no trace)]1d20+21[/dice]
After spending nearly a minute to rig the wagon wheels to come off and making sure they looked as good as new, Broulnindre returns the tools and realizes that she no longer has her own horse.
Without a word she gleefully hops onto Frank's horse.
Frank shares his horse with a sigh.
Aerin handled wrangling the horses. She picked the least temperamental pair and got them hitched. The rest she posted to the back of the wagon, ready to be grabbed by a rider.
"Time to move, folks. Grab a horse, or hop onboard. We're leaving."
Seeing that everything seems settled for the next move, EE grabs the reins of the same horse he was riding a moment ago, thinking it might be wise to choose the one who already smelled him once.
<Ready> he announces, trying to keep himself on the saddle.
With the Warforged and the Minotaur along with Sharon on the wagon and Aerin driving along with the rest of the group on horseback, the rescued and rescuers flee through the path to the Mournland.
As they exit speedily, the dust cloud can be seen closing in on the Ruine. It seems that the Emerald Claw reinforcements have arrived. Hopefully, they will be delayed before they can pursue...
-------
Several miles later, the group slows down as they come upon a wall of roiling mists which rises ahead of them. At first, the mist appeared to be a low lying cloud. As the group nears it, it is clear that this is no ordinary mist. Muffled sounds come from beyond. Or do they? The rays of the mid-day sun shine upon them but the rays do not appear to penetrate this misty barrier.
The horses whinny and stamp at the edge of this unnerving wall. The horses can sense just how unnatural this place must be. What is on the other side cannot be seen.
A quick search of the wagon reveals that the barrel resting within contains some sort of wine. The boxes contain rations. Enough for at least a week for approximately 10 people.
Meridian reveals that the map, assuming she read it correctly, directs the user to a location within "Cyre" which is approximately 30 miles directly due east of the Hamlet of Olkhaan.
Caelan - Nothing, he was ransomed along with his gear.
Erix - Nothing, he was ransomed along with his gear.
Xetovia - Machete (1d6), Battle Aspergillum (1d6), Sawtooth Sabre (One handed Blade 1d8), Wooden Stake (3), Sibat (ranged weapon one handed 1d6), Silverburn, Scroll (Keep Watch), Potion (Shield of Faith), Gum Rope, Flask of Acid (1), Silver Holy Symbol of the Silver Flame, & 516 Gold.
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Pink Eye looks at the mist and then at the gear saying the group that was with us most of their gear is here. I will have to find what happened to them as I will not let a friend nor battle companion fall to death or slavery. This must bothers me. What should we do?
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EE has a look at the wares and quickly discards them. <Don't need anything>.
Kana looks over the stuff curiously.
What's that ring? Guess i can use the scrolls for us should the need arise.
She listens to Pink-Eye and Meridian then.
That is nice to hear Pink-Eye and i hope it will extend to me, but i wonder how you plan to achieve this right now. We have the very same enemies on our heels and before us this creepy mist.
Meridian, are you suggesting we travel 30 miles deep into there? Probably don't need to ask if it is save...
Hopping off the horse, Frank turns towards those rummaging through the wagon contents. "Anything useful in there?"
Broulnindre takes the question as an invitation and looks around.
As the tiny scaly creature looks up at the wagon, a speck up above catches her attention.
She points towards the southern sky, saying "Hoi, vat iz dat funny bord doink?"
Distracted from the loot, Frank looks up and behind the wagon too.
"Knowing my luck, it's probably a zombie dragon or something. Anyone know if those emerald guys have airborne scouts?"
Why should we know that? It's not like there's a book about them or something.
Sharon who has now reverted back has been very silent and adjusting her outfit...trying to put her hair back up. She seem very uncomfortable..
As Frank E. Is searching the wagon She asks him very quietly..."Did...did she do anything...naughty?
Pink Eye looks at the mist and then at the gear saying the group that was with us most of their gear is here. I will have to find what happened to them as I will not let a friend nor battle companion fall to death or slavery. This must bothers me. What should we do?
Gauntlet places a metal hand gently on Pink-Eye's muscled shoulder.
"We find them. Someday. Once we escape our pursuers and complete the mission. You and I will try. It is the least we can do for our former companions."
Turning to the others he waves at the items in the wagon.
"That is all that we have left from our last companions. Feel free to grab anything useful. Other than a few minor things, I am sure most of it is replaceable. There is food too it seems. EE and I do not need it."
As Frank E. Is searching the wagon She asks him very quietly..."Did...did she do anything...naughty?
Somewhat distracted by the contents of the wagon and the possibly-just-a-strange-bird, Frank doesn't quite catch Sharon's meaning.
"Uh, not that I know of. Unless throwing bombs counts. I'm pretty sure you- er she?- just threw bombs and..."Frank finds a quiver and examines one of the bolts inside, pricking his finger "ow".
Frank continues as he moves three of the bolts to his quiver and slings the extra quiver over his shoulder.
"-it was noisy but she might've cackled gleefully. Seems like a thing she might do, even if she didn't."
Frank somehow removes about 10 pounds of animal feed from his pack and starts shoveling a twice as heavy a mass of trail rations into it.
Once the distribution of the items is drive and they're back on track, EE starts to wonder aloud. <So, what on Earth are doing here? Are looking for someone? Something?> He finds himself lost wandering through the Mournlands, aimless, the same way he felt before Hal gave a meaning to his life.
Hal. Electric Eye has gone through all of this just to have a chance to get some clues. He mustn't forget that. He must remember what Hal taught him.
<If are looking for whatever, am good at looking for things. Might be able to help.>
"EE? It looks like you should work with Meridian then. She got a good look at something back at that base-camp that might help us find this place we are looking for. So we start from the remains of the Hamlet of Olkhaan, and we go from there. That's all I have right now until we know more."
Kana eyes Sharon.
Guess i need to spend more time with your alter ego...
I agree with Gauntlet. It is unfortunate to leave some behind in the claws of the enemy, but in order to help them, we need to help ourselves first right now.
I think we are looking for this schema? And the place it is? I'm interested in that. We should probably also go soon, even if it means going into or through that fog. At least away from here.
She casts a glance over her shoulder, to see if the dust cloud can be seen and pursuers are already closing in.
<So, off to the Hamlet of Olkhaan, then.>
Pink Eye asks the wagon to stop a bit and stretches his legs a bit and his arms and then neck and as he does his eyes close and he turns his head a bit as if listening and he says quietly the blessings and voice of Balinor is close by. I hear the earth whisper his name
Viorr gives a simple nod. "I'm in"