"Well that certainly explains how he got a girl like you, eh?" Agathon says, still grining obviosly not giving up easely. Putting the pouch away before beeing told a third time he looks at he a bit puzzled, "But how did you end up here in the middle of nowhere? Suerly a man of wealth with a prize such as you would be able to set up better than this." he says, gesturing at the farm.
"Well that certainly explains how he got a girl like you, eh?" Agathon says, still grining obviosly not giving up easely. Putting the pouch away before beeing told a third time he looks at he a bit puzzled, "But how did you end up here in the middle of nowhere? Suerly a man of wealth with a prize such as you would be able to set up better than this." he says, gesturing at the farm.
1d20+5
He wanted the simple life for me and the child. I'm just a common woman so he was cut off from the family fortune. We have a lot of money left for our little girl." she smiled hurnestly, looking to her daughter. "She'll have a good life." as she explains this she looks back to everyone with a smile. "I was so scared what might happen next. Please, take what little coin I managed to offer for saving our lives."
Mal looks thoughtful for a moment then asks, "Why did these creatures target your husband and not you?"
Bluff
Sense Motive:
Mal:
Badger:
Kyrina:
Solaria:
Agathon:
"He heard a noise, went out to find what was causing it and then he dissappeared. I never saw what happened, but I think he was taken away by them for some reason." she shrugged as she wasn't quite sure why they would abduct her husband.
There is something strange about her story. You aren't entirely sure of the details but there are many points which seem odd in what she just said.
"So, you and your husband came here from the mooshae isles? Your husband beeing from a wealthy merchant family and you, a commoner?" Agathon starts, raising an eyebrow. "Settle down to a farm, have a baby, Agathon scrutinizes the baby, and then your husband is taken in the night by goblins?" he looks at the corpse, wondering all of a sudden how he died.
"Sorry miss. Somthing doesn't add up. We're missing somthing here."
sence motive
perception
Badger took his reed hat from his head and felt his knuckles begin to tighten. He hated awkward moments like this. His mentor had raised him to be an Inquisitor and taught him, 'Even the Forest Lord tells lies to his servants.' It was lesson that everyone told lies.
In a Gnome village it was expected that even lessons were passed from generation to generation with lies included. The student was expected to seek knowledge from several teachers and to find and remove the lies from the knowledge. The lies protected the knowledge and when the lies were removed the student could take pride in the knowledge that they had truly learned instead of memorized as simple rote.
'An untested truth is like a freshly made boat. It always leaks the first time you put it in the water.'
The problem was when dealing with other races. It was tough determining if Badger was just overly trained to be suspicious of everyone's behaviour or not suspicious enough.
'So, what was the reason that your husband's family disapproved of you so strongly that you had to flee the Moonshea Islands? Also, you seem to have done very well guarding the farm in your husband's absence. I don't think we found any sign of weapons or armour with your husband. I know that I wouldn't go walking in these woods in recent weeks with reports of attacks on people coming to town and children being taken from the town. I mean, I have big friends here to help guard my back when I go out.'
'It is all just so puzzling and late at night. Maybe, we should come in and sit down for a cup of tea or warm broth while you start at the beginning of how you met your husband. Talking of happier times always helps me in such situations.'
Sense Motive
Solaria, feels pity for the woman, to have seen her husband taken away before her eyes. She doesn't quite understand the way the woman can speak in such a detached way about he late husband, but then everyone must grieve in their own way.
Bluff:
Sense Motive:
Mal:
Badger:
Kyrina:
Solaria:
Agathon:
The farmer's wife blinks looking at Agathon as he says this.
"Good sir, I do not understand what you mean. I have told you everything, perhaps the fighting has made you wary?" she smiles as she says this hoping to comfort you all. "You are the heroes who saved the children, yes? Catching spys too, you all must be seeing liars everywhere."
Again, something seems wrong. You don't feel tired or anymore suspecious than usual.
The farmer's wife blinks looking at Agathon as he says this.
"Good sir, I do not understand what you mean. I have told you everything, perhaps the fighting has made you wary?" she smiles as she says this hoping to comfort you all. "You are the heroes who saved the children, yes? Catching spys too, you all must be seeing liars everywhere."** spoiler omitted **
'My apologies. We have been dealing with several problems and it has rattled our senses. We've been under a few threats from various villains and it makes it hard to spot an honest attempt at being fair and civil.'
Most of the area seems rarther plain, however certain things stand out to you like a vase, carpet and painting all seem well made and somewhat expensive.
'Just remember that if you need to talk to us or you need our help then we should be in town for a couple more days. We plan to clear the orcs from the road and then see if we can pick up the trail of their leader. If you have anything that you might be able to tell us on those we seek then it would be greatly appreciated and reward enough for helping you out.'
Badger could see the woman had secrets but he didn't see anything that would endanger him or his friends. It was better to let the woman decide for herself whether she could trust the companions in her own time.
Solaria watches the inquisitor at work.
Watching Badger with a puzzled expression on is face Agathon finally shrugs and grins at the widowed beuty.
'Just remember that if you need to talk to us or you need our help then we should be in town for a couple more days. We plan to clear the orcs from the road and then see if we can pick up the trail of their leader. If you have anything that you might be able to tell us on those we seek then it would be greatly appreciated and reward enough for helping you out.'
Badger could see the woman had secrets but he didn't see anything that would endanger him or his friends. It was better to let the woman decide for herself whether she could trust the companions in her own time.
1d20+6
"I won't be here. I have to pack and head home to The Moonsea. Try and beg his parents to take me in. With his death...they might pity me enough." she explains as she continues to hold her child.
Being able to see through her lies so much you have been able to read her like a book. Most of what she says is true, however parents seems fuzzy and she seems to be a lot more afraid than she should be. As if her life lies on the lines.
" If there is something bothering you, You should let us know, We might be able to help!"
Diplomancy
"Once you take that journey you will be too far away for us to be of any help.
"Dear lady, if you want any help to prepare, then now is the time to ask, for we too will not be here forever?"
'I understand if you have to head back to the Moonsea. I would let you know, we are heading towards Baldur's Gate. Now, it is up to you and your daughter to decide if you want to travel with us that far. We're a rough group and we don't accept charity cases; so, you would be expected to pull your share of chores on the trail.'
'Still, I'm sure you will see that having five armed companions, one dragon, and a few guard dogs will make journeying safer than traveling with just you and your daughter and cart full of gear.'
'When you we reach, Baldur's Gate, you should be able to hire passage to whatever port you want.'
'Now, I will warn you that our lot is not the safest. We have some powerful enemies that are already hunting us across the realms. Hitching your cart with ours is hardly the safest and if we were to find a safer group of travelers for you and your daughter. Well, then, I would fully understand your need to move on.'
'Well, like I said, we've got Orcs to clear and a few friends to say good-bye to in town. If you want to get a hold us, you can send word to Evilbane at the Temple of the Lathander. I'm sure we'll see him again before we leave town. That will give you a few days to wrap up your affairs here if you wish to come along.'
Badger gets ready to depart. He mounts up on Victor and tips his hat to woman.
'I sure hope you consider our offer, Ma'am.'
The halfling nuzzles up to the dragon, and for a change mounts it. "Farewell, dear lady, until we meet again, hopefully in better circumstances." They follow Badger on his way.
Moving up to Badger, Solaria speaks to him questioningly, "She wasn't as distraught as I imagined, maybe she had feared the worse and been ready for it. Grieving is such a personal response, I can never understand it. Do you think we'll see her again?"
The halfling nuzzles up to the dragon, and for a change mounts it. "Farewell, dear lady, until we meet again, hopefully in better circumstances." They follow Badger on his way.
Moving up to Badger, Solaria speaks to him questioningly, "She wasn't as distraught as I imagined, maybe she had feared the worse and been ready for it. Grieving is such a personal response, I can never understand it. Do you think we'll see her again?"
'I don't know. She clearly has a past.'
'I noticed her furnishings through the door were more than for a regular cottage dweller. I'd say either her or her husband came from money like she said. You also don't bother purchasing or lugging those types of wares around unless you plan to stay somewhere for a while. It's not the thing that people who are bandits want to have stuck moving. I also didn't see any signs of disorder inside the cottage; so, it wasn't like someone had taken over the cottage and replaced the woman with a double while looking for the book and locket.'
'Did she lie to us at some point? Yes. But, being an Inquisitor is like being a guard at a city gate. Everyone tells some lies. The key is trying to figure out if the lies are ones that will endanger the city or are merely the simple stuff like trying to dodge a few extra coin of taxes.'
'We made a good impression with her and made the woods a safer place for the town's folk. That's a good days work however you measure it.'
Shrugging at Badgers assesment of the misplaces beuty, and she would never be anything else in Agathon's mind, Agathon follows Badgers lead. "Where to next? Are we hunting orcs?" he asks eagerly.
Shrugging at Badgers assesment of the misplaces beuty, and she would never be anything else in Agathon's mind, Agathon follows Badgers lead. "Where to next? Are we hunting orcs?" he asks eagerly.
'We could but we've been up since early dawn and it's a couple hours after dusk now. It would be almost dawn by the time we got to the Orc's camp. After being awake for almost 24 hours we'd not be at our best.'
'Add to that if you're like me then you didn't sleep well last night and you've got a recipe for disaster.'
'The town isn't that far away. I recommend we head for there and turn in the goblin bits in the morning for bounty. We should be able to grab five or six hours rest in a good bed, have a hot meal for breakfast along with a bath, and hit the trail again before sun reaches noon. That will put us on the Orc camp in the latter part of the afternoon with us rested and spoiling for a fight.'
'Orcs being nocturnal critters are often at their worst around then especially if they got saddled with sentry duty.'
Stunned by Badger's sound strageizing Agathon can only nod his assent. 'Truly, you would make a fine general.' he mutters as he scrutinizes the diminutive inquisitor.
Kyrina Gives a big stretch and a yawn
"A Bath Sounds fantastic! But sleeping under the stars is so fun! I'll follow the Group's decision. Also, is everyone feeling ok? is anyone hurt from the goblins?"
I'll channel Positive Energy enough Times to heal them to full, I can do that 5/day
'Mal, with a god backing our foes, I don't really think it much matters where we hang our hats and swords. The villains are still going to come and find us.'
'If trouble is going to come and find us then I rather it do it when I've had a decent meal and a few minutes in a warm bed.'
'I'll sleep under the stars but after you have had a root or stone dug into your flesh a couple of times, you get to learn why the Gods gave us beds.'
Badger flashes Mal a smile.
Mal smiles back, "Those roots help get the knots out of my back".
Kyrina Speaks in a manner that is WAY to cheerful for this time of night
" What about you Solaria and Agathon ? what do you guys think? Town or stars for sleepy time tonight!?"
Raising an eybrow at Kyrina's cheerfull tones he shrugs. 'No preferance one way or the other. I'm used to fine beds and good service but I can do without too.'
"A kind thought Kyrina, I've been on the road for some time now, a bed is nearly always better than nothing, but for tonight I'm tired so lets just say its the safest and easiest for me." She snuggles into TzeTing to keep a bit warmer.
'Well if it is the simplest thing to do then let's take a good spot like that one over there.'
Badger points out a glade with a that has some brush to construct some suitable cover and a source of water not too far away.
Badger after making a small lean-to for him and his hounds curls up with four legged companions sharing in their warmth and fur.
You find a suitable place that appears untouched by sentient creatures.
Survival take 10 = 10
Agathon sets to collecting sprigs for a fire, bringing in an armfull of realtively dry wood. Setting it down he stacks stones in a circle, palcing the sprigs in it and tryes to get a fire burning.
Survival -
Badger will follow Mal's experience in the woods on not lighting a fire this night. We can have a small fire in the morning to heat some breakfast but don't need the fire while we're sleeping.
Badger would have spoken in IC after noting Mal's views and suggested holding off on lighting a fire till morning.
Disapointed with no fire going Agathon eyes Solaria and Kyrina as if he's about to ask somthing. Changing his mind he turns to Badger. "That looks mighty warm there." Agathos says to Badger, indicating the dog huddle. "Room for one more?"
Mal you find that no creatures have come anywhere near here, but not putting up a fire tonight might be for the best as you don't know what's nearby. You do find wolf tracks, but only a small pack and your experience of nature is that Wolves will gang up when hungry but with so many people here you doupt they would try anything.
Disapointed with no fire going Agathon eyes Solaria and Kyrina as if he's about to ask somthing. Changing his mind he turns to Badger. "That looks mighty warm there." Agathos says to Badger, indicating the dog huddle. "Room for one more?"
Badger growls a bit at the hounds and they move around giving Agathon a spot next to Victor while Badger curls next to Fox and Hound.
Mal walks over to Agathon, "I will take the first watch and wake you up for the second my friend".
Mal climbs a tree and takes watch as he does not feel fully safe.
Perception
Solaria snuggles up to TzeTing as both of them keep warm together.
Badger just sticks a hand in the air briefly to signal that he heard Mal's words on watches before settling in to sleep.
Agathon sleeps does his best to keep warm through the night, cuddling up with Victor and anyone else who askes to share the heat. When his turn comes for watch he puts his flint and steel on the ground by a torch for easy access if he would need a light, otherwise he will keep quiet and alert.
ðerception
You all get a uneventful night, a howl going up at the still full moon, but no wolves cross your path and the morning comes with a refreshing sun shining down on you all.
Kyrina Stretchs like a napping kitten as she wakes up with the First rays of the sun. Quickly Dressing, she searches her Back for some food stuffs, Potatos, herbs, some sourdough bread, and a few eggs, she stokes up the Fire and starts to prepare everyone Breakfast
'With Mal and I leading, I suggest we head to the outskirts of where we think the Orc camp is located. If we are lucky, we can try and look for any recent trails and see if we can't kill or capture a few to give us more information on what we face with the camp.'
Solaria wakes to the smell of breakfast cooking, the smell of bread being heated and cooked, brings a smile to her face. She turns and watches Kyrina for a brief moment, thinking maybe the woman might not be so bad joining this group of adventurers. Already TzeTing is stirring, he too sniffs the air as his serpentine body adjusts, letting the chill morning air snap at a cosy Solaria.
Solaria, joins the day by getting up and splashing water on her face to remove the remnants of sleep from her head and from her eyes. With a shakes, she moves over to the rest of the party eating their breakfast. Turning to Badger as he outlines his ideas for the day, she smiles knowing that this Gnome is a resourceful chap and doesn't make plans without giving them due consideration. "It would seem that's what we've come to do, Badger. You and Mal lead on, we'll do our best to eradicate the evil we find."
Survival -
"Sounds good to me. I am certainly ready to take on the orcs".
Badger thanks Kyrina for breakfast.
When they head out, he rides out on Victor keeping his eyes on the surroundings.