The half orc takes Hezar's hand and shakes it, though the expression on her face is less than friendly. You're a sour one, mister Hezar ... let us see what truths we can glean from one another, once we become better acquainted, hmmm? You might find we are not so different, at our cores! Perhaps we share similar tastes, hmmm? The half orc's eyes fall upon Belina for a moment, before return to Hezar's, a crooked, charming smile upon her face.
If you'd like, we could adjourn to my camp for the evening - it's about a half hour from here, but more secure and there are significantly more .... creature comforts.
Sour? No pragmatic. He pointedly does not comment on her look.
Feeling more than a little annoyed, even humiliated at that damn orc managing to spot her, a noble sun elf, Janiries sticks to the outskirts of the group, glaring angrily at anyone approaching.
Matthias cleared his throat. "Allow us a moment to confer," he asked, stepping back towards the campfire a bit.
"If we go with her, we could scout a bandit nest for later, though that might be risky," he whispered to the others who were near. "But is it really riskier than staying here in the open? As we all said, the dead are becoming a problem. And who knows? Maybe they'll actually join us if they accept our offer of honest work. Surely they can't want to be bandits," he finished, perhaps a bit naively.
Janiries does eventually head over to Matthias, though she still looks rather annoyed.
"Well, given how easily they managed to ambush us, I don't see any more danger in playing along for the moment and visiting the bandit camp."
"Speaking of how easily they managed to ambush us, I'm thinking that I should learn how to make traps... get the drop on anyone in future who thinks they can sneak up on a Sun Elf."
Hezar moves back to his post and observes for a while. He speaks to the rest. I do not trust them, but I do trust you. I will follow your judgement.
Belgrin scratches his cheek, glancing back to the tusky newcomer once before regarding the party in as low a tone as he bothers to use.
"Way I see it, campin' with bandits, no matter what they call 'emselves, is gamblin' with blood, theirs and ours both. orcish ones to boot? Can't say I'm feelin' too jolly about the whole deal."
Rylind smiles at your deliberations. I am not leading you into a trap, friends. If you wish to stay here, so be it; I offer the safety and comforts of my encampment out of courtesy, and so you can see for yourselves who we are and how we live. If you choose not to take me up on my offer, I can stay with you tonight. We can discuss - future prospects.
Hezar listens closely
but he is distracted by Belina in the moonlight.
With an apologetic glance at Belgrin, Matthias raised his voice again. "It seems we will be accepting your hospitality this evening, miss Rylind. Thank you for your courtesy." He finally lowered his heavy shield, showing none of the strain that carrying it high must have given him. Slinging it on his back, over his sword, he reattached his mace to his belt and went about gathering up their camp items.
"Show us the way," he said with a polite nod once they had gathered their things and saddled their horses. He held a burning brand in one hand to light their way in the darkness.
Janiries moves over to her pack, getting ready to move out. "Right, lets go."
Besides, this gives me a chance to knife that filthy orc in her sleep."
Rylind smiles indulgently to Janiries, waiting for you all to pack up, before leading you up the road about twenty minutes, then taking a poorly-marked footpath that leads west from the road. After about fifteen minutes you arrive at the camp, concealed within a copse of trees.
A number of tents and three yurts - one of considerable size - represent the camps shelters. A large central fire lights the area, but these people are woodscrafty - the fire pit is recessed and little smoke is generated, drawing as little attention to its presence as possible.
The people appear fit and healthy, though very wary of your presence - about two dozen are able bodied males, primarily human, though several show half orcish characteristics and at least one appears half elven. Added to their numbers are seven or eight female hunters - one of whom appears to be a wood elf, who watches Janiries very carefully.
The rest of the inhabitants are noncombatants - women, some pregnant, older or cripped men and a number of children. All told, about eighty souls altogether.
Welcome to our camp! says Rylind grandly, with a crooked smile on her face. We move frequently - bandit groups, primitive humans and orcish tribes are not unknown in this area. We've even seen dark elves in the night - not sure where they came from. She points to an empty area about twenty feet from the fire. If you want to set up there, that's fine - then we can get some food into you and talk for a bit. Rylind calls back over her shoulder. Willow! Help these newcomers if they need anything, and make sure they get something to eat! A young, pretty, slender human girl, not more than 18 winters, runs forward. Her long brown hair is held back by a simple brown scarf; she wears a white linen blouse and a long grey skirt. Yes Rylind! she responds, a little out of breath, before looking to your group. How may I serve? she asks, making sure to carefully avoid eye contact.
Belgrin scans the camp warily, noting the spread of racial features to himself.
humans, orcs and elves all bunkin' in the same camp? An' I thought Lassathor's lackeys were mad...
Hezar takes a walk around the perimeter with Belinda observing
Matthias was, perhaps intentionally, immediately struck by the need to put the young girl at her ease. He spoke encouragingly to her as he helped set up camp again, though he didn't forget to keep an eye on the rest of the bandits. He asked where she was from and how she came to be here, about her family and her faith and about her life here.
These people don't look like bandits - they look like a whole village! And Rylind nominally in charge of them... interesting. She seems educated. I wonder what her story is.
He also looked to see if they had horses, which would imply some sort of supply system running into these rocky hills (not to mention that they would have trouble outpacing the village if they were forced to flee).
Looking rather shocked at the sight of a wood elf here amongst the bandits, Janiries glares at her for quite some time, before Willow's statement snaps her out of it.
"Uh.. yes, some hot food would be good."
After saying that, however, her gaze falls upon the woof elf again.
@ Matthias: The girl warms up quickly to your relaxing manner, but has little of import to say. The group moves frequently, and most of the members were either driven from their homes or fled during Tethyr's dark days. She herself was orphaned at a young age and lived on the streets of Zazesspur until one of the local toughs tried to force her into a life of servitude on the streets. She fled north, and eventually fell in with the group. You see her look often towards Rylind with both admiration and a touch of fear.
After you set up, food is brought - mostly fresh game and foraged vegetables, though a spicy wine is also served, a wine which must have been bought from a winery, as it is must be the product of a vinter's work.
Rylind sits at your circle after a few minutes; having removed her cloak and armour, her body is revealed to be slender, but wiry - clearly stronger than one might think. Her gray blouse and black leather trousers are brightened by the red sash she wears low on her hips. She surveys your group for a moment before speaking. All settled in? Good ..... now, tell me, what sends you north, through this dangerous pass?
Belgrin takes a seat to enjoy his serving, but keeps his maulaxe within forearm's reach, plainly visible.
After one last glance around at his circle of companions in case of any objection, Matthias turned his gaze on Rylind. "We are hunting a dangerous band of men. Killers, who have destroyed several homesteads near Port Kir. Perhaps you know of whom I speak?"
Hezar puts his arm around her and holds her tight Nd whispers reassurances to her as Apollo nuzzles her.
Chowing down on the hot food, Janiries would consider in her mind what to do with the wood elf. Surely it wasn't right for a noble sun elf like her to make the first move, but finding out about the state of the People here in Tethyr would be valuable. Besides, sitting and eating with a damn orc just wasn't civilised.
So, after finishing her meal, the rogue would swiftly stalk over to the wood elf and motion her a little away from the group of hunters, so they could talk in privacy. Only naturally, Janiries would speak in Elven, putting on her best noble accent.
"Fair be our meeting, for our hearts are light and our swords sheathed, we hold peace in our hands and its light guides us."
Belgrin keeps to himself during the meal, observing the exchange between his party and Rylind's.
Not sure what I want more; for these scoundrels ta sign up, or make a move. Bah. Least the food's passable.
Rylind's gaze slowly meets Matthias' as he mentions your quarry in the north. Is it ... you seek Kane, then? Several of the people nearby go silent at the name; Rylind herself puts her wine down quickly.
That is .... a name of ill omen, friends. We've tangled with his band once before, as they headed north through the pass. Like beasts, they were - they attacked without parley or warning. We lost three people before we drove them off. They, too, seemed desperate to head north, else our losses would have been greater.
Matthias looked around at the gathered bandits, or villagers, or whatever they might be. "I'm sorry to hear that. May the gods watch over their souls," he told them all. "As you have seen, they are men who need to be hunted down. Anything you can tell us about them, any aid you might give us, will bring them closer to justice."
Lowering his voice to speak normally, he addressed Rylind. "Do you have any idea what they attacked you for? Supplies perhaps? Or were you simply in their way? Did they give any hint of where they were headed, or why they were so desperate to go north? How long ago did they attack you?"
Janiries pauses a moment, thinking over in her mind if she should ask her next question, before deciding upon it.
"Further, and do stop me if this is too personal a question, but I find it unusual to see a Or'Tel'Quessir living amongst N'Tel'Quessir. Is there a particular reason why?"
Rylind's jaw spasms almost imperceptably as she recalls the encounter. They raided our encampment, no doubt seeking supplies. Like feral beasts they were! Kane himself fought with sharp claws, like an animal. I was able to fight him to a draw, and the sheer weight of our numbers enabled us to drive them off. I know not why they head north, nor anything else about them, save that I'd love another crack at the bastard!
tell us about the rest of them. How did they fight?
"Well," Belgrin starts, before finishing a mouthful of food and wiping his chin, "Only way ye get yer shot is comin' with us, cause he's not walkin' away once we track him down."
The Dwarf spares a moment to glance around the encampment, pausing with a bite of food an inch from his open mouth, noticing a few disapproving eyes from Rylind's band.
"But I wouldn't bet me beard on that happenin', aye?"
"Any aid you might offer us would be welcome," Matthias repeated, looking around to appeal to any doubters. "By Helm, we will make them pay for the losses they incurred."
Janiries turns away to walk back to the rest of the group, before stopping a moment.
"One last thing.. I don't suppose that on your travels you've been in Myratma?"
Rylind thinks for a moment. Kane himself had a feral wolf as companion - a black beast with red eyes, it was. There was an archer with him, accurate as hell, and some sneak whom I didn't get a good look at, but who was fast - very fast. They had a magic user as well - scrawny little man, but he had the stink of brimstone and burned flesh upon him - a diabolist, I guess.
I need to keep most of my people here - we can't drop in numbers by much, or we'll be vulnerable to predation by other groups. A couple of the folk here do have scores to settle, however - if they want to go with you, bolster your numbers, then they have my leave. I'll go with you as well - though I won't enter Port Kir - let's just say the local constabulary and I don't see eye to eye.
"We thank you. Greater numbers will give us an edge over these criminals," Matthias responded. "If you can be ready to set out by first light, we will be on our way. Have you horses to travel swiftly with?"
Inwardly he hoped that, should those who left return again, they would see that the party's offer of honest citizenship in Talonhawke was real, and take them up on the offer. In truth, he felt sorry for the rootless village - but it was true that people motivated to make a better life would make better citizens than any brought in from the city to the hardship of the frontier.
"My reason for being here in Tethyr is to discover what has happened to a friend of mine, a Sun Elf by the name of Endara. Perhaps you saw another her there?"
If pressed for a description, Janiries would give one.
"Well, if ye make a good name for yerself in all this, maybe a good vouch or two'll take some heat off yer head. Maybe. After that, it's up to you how ye work it out with the law."
We have horses, yes. The final tally will be taken in the morning but I guess three of us will be with you. We'll be ready by dawn; you'd best get some sleep, if you're to match that. We have guards, so you're all free to rest.
Rylind thinks for a moment at Belgrin's words. I'd rather not take any chances, master dwarf, good reputation or not. I find that low justice for a half orc is often less than equitable. My people and I are best served steering clear of the big towns and cities.
Hezar finds a secluded area and rigs up some twigs that will crack loudly if he and belina are approached. He plays w Apollo before they sleep
Hezar can't help but smile at Apollo and his protectiveness
Matthias wanted to believe in Rylind's word on their safety, but he had no intention of disregarding his holy duty to be vigilant. He quietly arranged to take a watch with Landon, who shared his beliefs, and anyone else in the party who seemed willing.
The night passes quietly; Selune is but a sliver in the night sky, so the night's darkness seems more pervasive, though the stars shine beautifully without the light of the moon to obscure them. True to her word, Rylind's people keep a quiet vigil through the night, maintaining a perimeter that includes your resting area without approaching too closely. Just past midnight an impressive display of falling stars attracts attention in the night sky.
With the dawn comes Rylind, armoured and equipped, and two of her band, set to ride north with you. One is a big brute of a man, close to seven feet tall, muscular and scarred, wielding a large battleaxe, with several smaller throwing axes in drop scabbards around his thick belt. He grunts in introduction, his bald head showing an intricate tattoo as he nods in greeting. Tarek. he grunts while pointing to himself; you heard several of the others call him "Ogre" as they were saying their goodbyes.
Beside Ogre is a more normally sized man, dressed in traveller's clothes and armed with a pair of daggers. He shakes hands with his left hand, introducing himself as Ambrose, the magic user. You note that he keeps his right hand concealed beneath a black glove. which seems ill-fitting; his features are almost goatish, and his small black eyes dart around nervously, as if fearful of every sound, every movement around him.
We're ready when you are! Rylind says, rubbing the shoulders of her horse, a beautiful black mare. She whispers words of encouragement into the beast's ear, while admiring the magnificent creature.
Hezar assumes his usual position, and if he has to leave Belina he insists that she stay at Landon's side.
Take 10 on Survival to move on for 18
Matthias greeted the trio, having finished putting away his own things not long before, after his prayers and daily exercise regimen. When everyone was ready, he headed north with them.
Belgrin sizes up the newcomers, looking up at the massive warrior with a discerning eye.
"Nice axe."
He then checks his gear, jots down a new entry in his logbook, and mounts up.
After double checking her pack and the parties supplies, Janiries mounts up and stays upwind from the half-orc.
"Lets move, shall we?"
The first day of travel with your new companions goes fairly well; while a little sharp tongued and cunning, Rylind is a good conversationalist and eventually even Belina, who was standoffish towards the half orc, seems highly engaged in her tales.
Ambrose is a shifty character; he watches everything but says little, eyes narrowing when attempts at conversation are made. Ogre, despite his intimidating appearance, is actually quite friendly and gregarious, though not at all quick witted. He grunts a great deal, and hesitates a great deal before speaking or responding to a question.
The only encounter of the day occurred in the afternoon; Rylind had been patrolling ahead, only to come racing back to the party, demanding that you hide in the brush by the side of the road. Panting, she whispered Cave men ahead!
A couple of minutes after hiding, you see a group of perhaps 15 people across the road, in the rocks overhead, slowly and quietly making their way south. Both males and females are heavy limbed, with deep brows and thick features. Dressed in animal skins and armed with clubs and spears, the group disappears into the rocks almost as quickly as they appeared.
The wild men of the mountains. Marius whispers. Fierce, and very insular. Twice as strong as the average man, and thankfully no love for Orcs - though I don't suspect we'd get much a reception from them either!
After a few minutes you party is underway again, and with only a couple of hours of daylight the search for a camping spot has begun. Anyone with the skill can make a survival check to see how good a spot you can find.
Hezar quickly points out a secluded spot, with good cover from the elements and foes.
Having trouble just riding properly in his armor, Matthias was both relieved that the cavepeople hadn't seen them and relieved to finally dismount and help prepare the campsite. He asked Hezar to help him find a good vantage point from which to watch their surroundings - and their camp.
Keeping her distance from the half-orc, Janiries tries to stay upwind from her while watching Ambrose carefully, protective of the party loot. As the group makes camp, Janiries finds a spot to watch the surroundings and, most importantly, the loot.
Belgrin responds to conversation during the ride, but offers little else, choosing instead to watch the new traveling companions as carefully as the neanderthals that cross their path.