Praeno Varryl walks across Restov with his usual brisk pace. Tall, pale-skinned and his hair neatly tied in a pony tail, one can barely make out his slender figure draped in a long dark coat reinforced with metal plates.
As he moves through the crowd, his stare meets each passer-by's seemingly scrutinising them to an uncomfortable extent.
While most commoners seem offended dismayed or even frightened by this strange man, he seems unaffected by the reactions.
In truth, despite his impassive expression, Varryl is excited. He has been travelling Golarion, trying to find an opportunity to imprint his mark on the world, and he has finally found one.
Once at the caravan he stops and stands, rather stiffly, seizing up his new company.
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Aberus Gondale walks towards the caravan, back straight and chin in the air. Over one shoulder he holds his satchel, filled with his equipment for the journey to the Northern Greenbelt. In his other hand he holds his parchment from Lord Surtova, and across his back lay his quiver and bow.
He walks with a smug smile, casting his gaze down at the normal folk. He had already been chosen by his lord Erastil to be a champion of the Faith, and now he's been chosen to tame the wilderness of the Greenbelt. A fitting opportunity for someone of his stature.
As he approaches the Caravan, he begins to imagine what his associates would be like, and straightens the long red hair that frames his tan face.
He reaches the Caravan, stops, and looks upon his new companions. He grins as he sees the motley lot of them, and muses on how well they'll all be able to travel together.
Noticing the stiff, tall human nearest to him, he extends a hand and a warm smile.
"Aberus Gondale, Paladin of Erastil. Pleased to make your acquaintance. I assume you are to be my future ally and partner. What may I call you?"
When the red-headed man approaches, Praeno guesses that he is a Paladin at once: His demeanor suggest military training, yet his armor is polished and neat. That can mean that he is either a young recruit in brand new gear, or one of those self-righteous paladins. Judging from his age, it is the latter. Besides, who else could exude such self-satisfaction?
As Aberus Gondale introduces himself, Varryl cannot help but feel self-satisfied himself when his guess is confirmed.
"Varryl. We are to be associates."
he retorts.
Pausing to talk to various members of the caravan, you can watch a series of microemotions play across his face: hope, followed by disappointment, and then acceptance. A rather wild-looking Elf with blonde hair and black eyes, Alembic is wearing a beat-to-hell chain shirt, and has a nicked and scratched heavy steel shield hanging from his well-used and mended pack. A wooden holy symbol (a spiral rotating clockwise from its centre. On the spiral are balanced three circles) graces his neck, and his callused hands show the signs of someone who has frequently engaged in fisticuffs. As he approaches both Praeno and Aberus, he says "good day. I know this is going to sound like an odd question, but do either of you know me? have we ever met before?"
Griffo leads a pack pony through the Restov street with a gray wolf at his side (and looking a good deal more massive than the small halfling) and a parchment in his hand.
"Get a look at this, Minto. An official charter. Me, bearing an official charter from, who is it? Lord Soor-toe-va. Yeah, Surtova. A charter to explore and adventure and, get this, even hang bandits!"
He stops in his tracks for a moment. The wolf sits and looks at him expectantly. Passers-by eye the wolf warily and give it extra room, some cursing a bit under their breaths at having to step so wide out of their way.
"That's a pretty heavy responsibility, Minto. I don't know if I can do that. Well, do you care about civilization's justice anyway, eh? Long as you get fed, you're happy. The justice of a full belly, that's what you believe in. Me too, some days."
He makes his way to the caravansary, his traveling cloak and other clothing well-worn but recently mended (and re-mended) to be in decent shape. His pack pony is haphazardly loaded with satchels and bags and ropes. It is unclear how any gear is thereupon organized, if it is organized at all.
Upon reaching the caravan's marshaling point, Griffo spies the big folk and turns to the wolf. "Here we go, Minto. These are the people we have to learn to live and work with on our travels into the Greenbelt. Be good now and Heel."
He approaches, "Good day to you, sirs. I am Griffo, this is Minto, and this here is Herschel." He indicates the wolf, then his pony. "We'll be traveling with you to the Greenbelt."
kneeling down to offer his hand to smell to the wolf (with a piece of dried jerky as an offering), Alembic repeats his question, in the exact same tone, as if he has asked it so many times it's become rote "good day. I know this is going to sound like an odd question, but do either of you know me? have we ever met before?"
Griffo looks a the other fellows standing there with a quizzical expression, then back at Alembic. He shrugs. "Uh, no. I can't say that I do or that we have. Should we know you from somewhere?"
Alembic sags a bit, and then straightens and says "no, I expect that you wouldn't. Truth be told, I've been looking for my origins for quite a long time. longer than the lifetime of a human, at the very least. So now I ask anyone I meet if they know me, since trying another way doesn't seem to be working." Alembic pauses and then says "by the way, the name is Alembic. guess you're coming with us on this little trek into the wilderness?"
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Aberus is taken off-guard by the briskness of Varryl's response, but quickly regains his composure.
"Man of business I see. I can respect that. Pleasure to work with you, Sir Varryl."
Aberus sizes up the two newcomers, smiling for a moment at the elf, and then returning solemn at the sight of the shabby halfling.
"Are you to be our beast-master?" He says, looking down at the man. "Aberus Gondale. Pleased to meet your acquaintance."
He glances back up at the elf, noticing his holy symbol and tattered armor. He smiles widely. "Ah, man of the Faith! Coming back from the front lines, by the looks of it! No, I cannot say that we've had the pleasure of meeting before, though I'll gladly make your acquaintance now! Aberus Gondale," He extends a hand. "Paladin of Erastil. And you might be?"
Varryl interjects:
" A man who has been in search of his past for longer than a human lifetime, yet still asks every man and half-man he encounters if they know him"
His severe stare turns to Alembic:
"In other words, a desperate fool."
Griffo takes a bit of a sharper tone. "Hmph. The biggest fool I see here is the man who insults everyone who introduces themselves to him. What's the point of being lonely in a crowd of people when it's your own manners that put you in that position?"
But his tone relaxes a bit when he answers Aberus's question. "Beast master? I haven't been hired on as one. I follow the Green Faith and, as someone who respects nature the way I do, nature has seen fit to bless me with a gift for dealing with animals. I can help manage them if you need my assistance with that but I suspect my specific charter is probably about the same as yours - to explore the Greenbelt and watch out for bandits."
"So, yes, Alembic, in answer to your question. I will be taking this trek into the wilderness."
Shortly after, Varryl, half wanting to make sure the young man's evident uneasiness didn't come from the fact that he was hiding something, half wanting to toy with someone far more impressionable than his newly acquainted colleagues decides to head to the front of the caravan and sits next to the journeyman trader.
"Is everything in order?"
"Good."
Varryl turns around to look at the men.
"We're not... expecting anything then"
He says fixing his gaze on the trader once more,
"Are we?
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Aberus's eyes widen as he hears the Halfling speak of his Faith.
"Ah! I grew up alongside the Flora and Fuana of the Forest myself! Though I cannot say I've had the pleasure of meeting one who is so close on a personal level to it! Pleasure."
He reaches down and shakes Griffo's hand, and turns his attention towards the stuttering journeyman. He walks towards him, stopping in front of him and making a short bow.
"Aberus Gondale, at your service Journeyman. I could not help but over-hear your unease. I assure you, as a Paladin of Erastil, you are in more than capable hands."
As they shake hands, Griffo says to Aberus, "I'm sure we'll find plenty of common ground. My fellows and I have the utmost respect for the church of Erastil. I'm sure we will learn much from each other as we work together."
And as the paladin moves off to check in with the journeyman, Griffo asks Alembic, "How is it you do not know your past or, er, origin as you put it? That sounds like it should be quite a story."
Minto yawns and sits next to Griffo. Herschel just stands placidly.
The young man hurrying down the street moves to the head of the caravan, taking time to check with the people in the first wagon that's he's in the right place and didn't get left behind, points beck further in the caravan nods and begins moving back towards the mis-matched group. He's much more relaxed as he works his way to the group than he was as he came running up. He waves to the others in the caravan as he moves, greeting them. "Hello! I am Josef. I'm told that this is the crew set for exploration and taming the wilderness? It seems we'll be working together, then. Well, I hope."
Turning to Praeno, Alembic says "yes, that's correct. I am quite desperate; but then again, I can see that a youngling such as yourself has quite a way to go in terms of learning manners. No matter. "Time teaches all." As Korada says." Turning to Aberus, Alembic says "Aye, I am but a simple travelling priest, working Lord Korada's good works." Looking at Aberus' holy symbol, Alembic then states "Ah, a follower of Old Deadeye, eh? I assume you're handy with a bow then? I'm sure there will be many a danger that your keen eyes will observe!"
Responding to Josef, Alembic nods and says "yes sir, I have received a writ making me an agent of Restov, the land of swordlords, as did you all, or so I assume."
Turning to Griffo, Alembics says "Well, it's a bit of an interesting story. I awoke a little over 100 years ago in the courtyard of a burning castle, without clothing and fairly badly injured, with no idea how I got there. I walked for a while before I collapsed. When I again woke, I noticed that I was carrying a vial - this vial, as a matter of fact" at this, Alembic produces an old glass vial wrapped in multiple pieces of cloth, from a spot in his pack. you see that it has, in faded common, the word Alembic written on it.
After resecuring the vial, Alembic continues "As I had no idea who I was, and I was holding a bottle with the word Alembic on it, I just assumed that that was my name. I realize now, of course, that this is obviously not the case, but at the time it made sense. So now I wander the land, looking for my place in the world and trying to help those I can."
After thinking for a moment, Alembic adds "you know, now that I think about it, you're the first person who's ever asked me that. Maybe that's a good sign?"
In response to the trader's warning about the bandits, Josef simply pats the hilt of the blade on his left hip. "They would be why we have things like this with us."
"Thank you for your warning, sir; I'm sure that we will be better off for it; with that being said, I feel fairly confident that, should bandits threaten us, we can try talking to them first, then, should violence ensue, we will convince them to find another profession."
Varryl asks the new trader
"Good."
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Aberus laughs at the statement, pointing to the bow that lays across his back.
"Should bandits be so unfortunate to come face to face with us, may Erastil have mercy on them, and may they choose to retreat in peace. Otherwise, the Greenbelt will have one less band of thieves."
Aberus moves to stand near the front of the caravan, making small talk with whomever is nearest to him.
After thinking for a moment, Alembic adds "you know, now that I think about it, you're the first person who's ever asked me that. Maybe that's a good sign?"
Griffo considers that question then replies, "The Greenbelt is a pretty big place, but I'm not sure you'll find many answers there. Not unless that's where you come from, I expect. On the other hand, it could offer a place to sink in some roots and have a new beginning. Exploring some wilderness, setting up a homestead far away from the crowds and stink of a big city. I'm looking forward to that part, myself. And I think Minto is too. All the scents of a city must be pretty overwhelming for someone with his sensitive nose."
As the topic of conversation shifts to bandits, a concerned look crosses Griffo's face. "I'll admit I'm a little worried about the bandit issue. I didn't realize I might have to administer a king's justice on them when I first accepted the charter. It makes me uncomfortable to think I may be the one stretching a few necks on the gallows."
"Only the unrepentant must die. Some of those filling the ranks of any bandit group are just trying to take care of their own the best way that they can figure out. If we can identify them, then we can redirect their efforts to our benefit. The leaders of bandit groups and any of their followers who actually want to be bandits, well, they made their own choice, didn't they? I've been told over and over again through my youth that meeting out justice to the peasants is not punishing them. It is giving them what they keep asking to receive."
"Well, I don't know about all that Josef, but I do know that most people are pretty reasonable, and want the same things: food, shelter, a place to belong. It's my hope that if we offer these things to the people, we won't have much of a bandit problem at all."
Noticing the discreet lavishness of Svetlana's outfit sets off another alarm in Varryl's mind. This journey has just began but it is already not the first time that such wealth has been displayed where he would have expected commonness. He starts looking around, inspecting his surroundings. He is also suspicicious of the fact that Svetlana waas expecting other armed men. Are her intentions hostile...?
Griffo bows to the woman and says, "Thank you, Mrs. Leveton. My name is Griffo."
"Yes, we are the company chartered to explore the Greenbelt. Er, at least I am along with my companions, Minto and Herschel," indicating the wolf and pony. "I think the rest probably have similar terms to mine."
As he follows along to the main hall, he adds, "And we are grateful for your hospitality. A few days on the road works up a powerful hunger. What's for dinner, if I may ask?"
Alembic bows and says "alas we are not the guardsmen that you seek. are you expecting trouble? I'm sure we could find what ails you and give it a good stern talking to."
Noticing the discreet lavishness of Svetlana's outfit sets off another alarm in Varryl's mind. This journey has just began but it is already not the first time that such wealth has been displayed where he would have expected commonness. He starts looking around, inspecting his surroundings. He is also suspicicious of the fact that Svetlana waas expecting other armed men. Are her intentions hostile...?Praeno is on the lookout for more signs of wealth and/or weaponry and other armaments
Not noticing the quality of her clothing, Josef treats her like just another peasant. "Yes, we've come to 'tame the wilderness'. We'll be getting on with that tomorrow, I imagine. For now, a good hot bath and some freshly made bread, along with whatever else you might have, sound really good."
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Aberus bows slightly at the lady, showing a toothy smile as he rises.
"Thank you for your hospitality ma'am. Indeed, we all seem to be the adventurers sent to explore the Greenbelt."
Aberus glances at the dress of the Hostess to try and find out what it's worth, and perhaps even determine how someone out in the middle of no where could afford such niceties.
"You said something about guards ma'am? What were you expecting guards for, if you don't mind me asking."
"Nice spread, very well done!" Josef is gathering some of the bread and a little cheese to his place while Svetlana retrieves the pot. As she comments about the ruffians, Josef chuckles. "Awfully nice of the ruffians to keep such a regular schedule."
Varryl looks at the table full of graciously displayed goods with a suspicious glare.
"Your outpost certainly doesn't look like it is being ransacked by low-lifes monthly... I don't suppose that the time of the month might be soon, per chance? If so, perhaps we can strike up an... arrangement?"
To the others:
"If the lawless scum attacks with such punctuality, then it is probably that they have some sort of primitive organisation. In that case it might be wise to try and capture a few of them and see if we can obtain information about the bulk of the bandits at our destination. And get a reward that we can put to use in this bandit purge of ours. "
"It's my hope that we can convince them to give up their foolish lifestyle choices. People are usually only driven to banditry when they have no other option. If we can not get them to give up their ways, then we should definitely take them alive, so that they can work off their debt to society and then become productive members."
it seems likely that this woman is in league with the bandits, but I wish to allay her suspicions. I'm also definitely not going to eat, hungry as I am, should the food be drugged.
"It's my hope that we can convince them to give up their foolish lifestyle choices. People are usually only driven to banditry when they have no other option. If we can not get them to give up their ways, then we should definitely take them alive, so that they can work off their debt to society and then become productive members."
Griffo starts to make his way along the buffet as only a halfling can, with gusto far exceeding his small size.
"I like your optimism, Alembic. But I've encountered far too many people of genuinely ill-will to believe that people are only driven into banditry by poor circumstances. There are truly bad people out there, as willing to take advantage of those weaker than themselves as not, and it can be hard to tell the difference. I'm happy to offer them a chance to surrender, if we can, but I fear not all of them will take it and not all of them will repent of their banditry even if they do surrender."
"Oh, it's not just optimism; I have a fair deal of experience working with reformed highwaymen. As I said earlier, most of them were driven to the lifestyle by circumstances outside of their control."
"I have to agree, most bandits are simply trying to survive. These are normally being controlled or used by someone with a taste for the relatively easy profits of sending others to die in their stead. Sound familiar?" As he asks the last question, he taps the bag where you've seen him put his charter previously.
"So, the bandits are due in the morning? Our charter specifically calls for us to deal with banditry and to see the unrepentant dead for their crimes. You can choose to wait for guards if you wish, but we are supposed to deal with exactly this sort of problem!"
After paying extremely close attention to the tale, Varryl reaffirms his position, completely ignoring Oleg's objections.
"It would be foolish to pass on this opportunity...If we capture one of these bandits- which should be a simple enough task - we will assuredly gain important information on the status quo in the Greenbelt."
"It does sound dangerous, but I've about had my fill of wicked people using their strength of arms to bully other people around. I think we should stand up to them or at least find a way to put them to a fight. I'm sure Minto will agree. Herschel may not, but he's a chicken at heart and I'll have a talk with him later."
"It sounds like they might just be a small group of bandits; at most, no more than a couple dozen."
"Then it sounds like we are generally agreed?
Let's be sure to keep in mind that we are putting the lives of everyone at the trading post on the line if we make a mess of this. Revenge will almost certainly be taken, so once we start on this path, at least with the bandits extorting the post, we need to finish it and finish it right."