Raze has kept quiet during this conversation, but he has an ear turned to it. Sometimes, as a bouncer, he learned much just by pretending he was as dumb as the post he leaned on. He wasn't about to change the habit now.
557 CY - 5th Day of Coldeven - Gnarley Forest - 3rd Night of the Trip
Marya shrugs at Gerwyn's response, "Indeed, this entire plan relies on us, all of us, not revealing what we are to these people. They must see us as humanoids to be trusted. We must take the greater risks for the greater reward will be given to us". She pauses, "However, we must also survive to gain those rewards.
Not if but when we confront the creatures that will assail us in our journey through this forest it must be our last resort to shapeshift not our first. Those who do see us must not be left to speak of what they have seen after.
For now I shall assign one extra guard by day to the night shift. More bodies will aid you in a potential fight and if that one happens to die so be it".
She leaves the six of you alone at the edge of the forest to head back to the encampment.
During the night, Rhun checks her weapon over, and then approaches the guards. "So, seems like we'll be up most of the night. If you hear something that sounds like thunder, that's me, shooting something."
557 CY - 5th Day of Coldeven - Gnarley Forest - 3rd Night of the Trip
As you are all standing watch one of the female passengers, the one that forced you all to sleep in one cramped wagon approaches. "So, seems like we'll be up most of the night. If you hear something that sounds like thunder, that's me, shooting something."
The human guard assigned by Marya, Kenneth, frowns at Rhun's statement, "Unwise, you should stay within the wagons and out of the woods. We'll not be able to anything coming or you may attract attention we don't want".
"I have excellent night sight, and honestly, if it's fey, you want warning. If they get within bow and spell range, which they will if you're all huddled around the fire, you'll be dead before you can draw your weapon." She says, sounding disdainful of the man. "How do you think they got the other caravan? By sneaking up and killing people from the woodline as they were back-lit by the camp fire." The tone indicates that that is how she would slaughter the caravan, if she were so inclined.
At the gathering he makes a proposal while keeping alert.
"Sense we have an enemy to be on the look out for. Should we arrange pairs for the shifts? I would prefer both the first shift and a partner that is good in close quarters."
He knew where his shortcomings were and preferred an ally to cover them. While making the best use of his own strengths. Taking the first shift would also insure that he had ample rest, as he doubted the fey would attack near sunset. They would choose the dead of night when they held the most advantage.
Then the annoying passenger came. Igdus had kept quiet for most of the time but he wanted to make something perfectly clear to this one.
"We were hired to protect the wagons. Not you. If you leave the wagon then you are on your own and not our concern. I am sure our employer will not begrudge us for choosing the welfare of the wagons over a single person. Whoever that person may be. Aside from himself no doubt."
He had restrained himself from using the word fool, that was being charitable. Their was no gain in running your mouth or provoking your supposed protectors. It only created enemies. Anyways he doubted the fey wanted any part of the wagons if his suspicions were anywhere near the mark. This woman was going to get killed and it may not be the fey that do the deed if she continued. Not that it mattered to him. Still he wondered why she was going out of her way to provoke, was she really that foolish.
The woman appears to be more amused than angry, and also doesn't actually appear to have any ill-will toward Igdus.
The woman laughs. "I'll remember that then, when you're in trouble, you're on your own, right?" She grins, and then stretches. "Well, I got a good day's sleep, so I'll be up all night on watch. You fellows enjoy your shifts."
Vaki nods at Rhun, "Um, I'm pretty sure this young lady can likely handle herself in fight. Perhaps not as well as us, but I do not think she'll be a liability."
To the rest "I can take a later shift, though before sunrise, please. I loathe the sun."
Rhun bows to Vaki, and grins. "Obviously a gentleman of wisdom and keen discernment." She then laughs as he continues. "I might just surprise you, Vaki wasn't it?"
The sense motive was for the DM. Unless you want to try and bluff Igdus to counter it from working.
"Aye, Vaki mi lady. You're armed, which I assume means you know how to use them. How well, I am unsure, but I'm willing to bet well enough"
-Posted with Wayfinder
-Posted with Wayfinder
That's not the only thing sense motive exposes depending on how much the DM wants to use or reveal. It can analyze prowess, tell if someone is trustworthy, or an imposter. The roll result can also effect the "depth" of the information, which again is for the DM to decide. Perception is similar in it's vary degree's.
Gerwyn simply listens to the conversation, looking a bit lost. He never liked in-fighting in the pack, but had no idea whether or not to even think of their group as his pack yet.
There is something about her that bears watching.
Too early to out her as a shapeshifter just yet, the more you interact with her though, it' will start dawning on you that something is not right with her. That will be later down the road if she does not reveal herself.
557 CY - 5th Day of Coldeven - Gnarley Forest - 3rd Night of the Trip
Kenneth holds his ground, "She might be good with her weapons Vaki but remember what that traveler said, there were Kobolds and Goblins and lots of em not just fey. You do what you want. Like Igdus said, we'll help you if we can but we ain't runnin' out oin the dark of the woods fer ya'!"
557 CY - 5th Day of Coldeven - Gnarley Forest - 4th Day of the Trip
The third night goes by uneventfully even with Rhun's Forest stalking activities.
You sleep by day.
You sleep well once again uninterrupted by anyone.
The night shift is awoken by the sounds of the caravan stopping and setting up camp for the night. The smells of fresh cooked rabbit means that Arty, the semi-professional Ranger actually caught something today.
Tonight Kenneth gets rest and Kravis is on the nightwatch, he sits with the six for dinner. "I know Raze was a bouncer and worked nights but how the hell do the rest of ya' stay awake all night?"
The Merchant meanwhile approaches Rhun, "My Lady. One of my guards complained that you stalked the woods last night making those damnable sounds, for what purpose would you do this?"
"Merchant. Not all merchants have a stall in the market, many deals are made in a tavern over drinks."
Igdus kept his observations to himself as usual, feeling no need to stroke his ego. He listened to the various things going on as well. While the question was not directed at him, he gave his own answer.
"Discipline."
Gerwyn shrugs slightly. "Sleeping enough during the day," he says with a bit of a grin.
557 CY - 6th Day of Coldeven - Gnarley Forest - 4th Night of the Trip
Kenneth looks at Tobar confused, "You're a merchant? Whatchoo you doin' pullin' guard duty?"
The Merchant continues to look at you expectantly, [b]"Well?"{/b]
"My apologies, I don't know what came over me. It's as if the gods pushed themselves into my brain and forced me to target practice last night. I shall not do it going forward." She sincerely apologizes to the merchant.
"there are many ways to make a deal, not all coin. A favor for a favor is still a deal."
Valaronex wasn’t entirely sure what to make of this ‘Rhun’ character. She was very confident in herself to the point of arrogance, which made the human want to dislike her. On the other hand, the fact that Vaki vouched for her was... odd, and firearms were not a common weapon to have. Powerful as they were, they were horribly unreliable and expensive. So only a rich idiot had one... or a trained professional.
Or a rich, idiotical training professional. That was an option to now that he thought about it. In any case, Valar decided it was best to keep an eye on her, but that was it. No need for suspicion at this moment in time.
Still, time went on, and another night fell, leaving them around the campfire talking to the other guard they had been posted with. Kravis, if Valar remebered correctly... not that the human knew much about his fellow guard at the moment. The question was... honestly a understandable one, and Valar allowed the others to offer their own answer before he shrugged and spoke as well. “Gerwyn’s right honestly, it’s just a matter of sleeping during the day. Takes a little getting used to, but you’ll adapt soon enough.”
Rhun, at night, enters the woods in human form, and then after sneaking off and making sure nothing is around her (waiting crouched in a dark spot for minutes at a time, just listening and watching) she slowly shifts to her fox form, and then rolls in the dirt until her white fur is gray and patchy. Then she spends the night circling the camp in Fox form, small, stealthy, and using her scent ability to watch for attackers.
557 CY - 6th Day of Coldeven - Gnarley Forest - 4th Night of the Trip
Kenneth turns to Valar, "Nah, you all are on the nightshift, we'll be rotatin' the whole time, hell I won't have to do this again till we're halfway to Dyvers and by the time we arrive I'll not be likely to have to do it again".
As you apologize for nothing to keep the peace in the camp one of the Merchant's bodyguards approaches, "My Lord, what sounds in the night? I heard nothing".
The Merchant frowns and looks to both of you. "Hmm, perhaps I was dreaming it then and became confused at the report. I am sorry Milady, I am tense. That Stranger confirming the dangers of the road ahead has me feeling more nervous than I thought I would feel".
Rhun smiles. "Perfectly understandable, sir. Apology accepted with no hard feelings." She looks at the other guard. "If you do hear thunder, and it's not storming, that is likely me and it means things are approaching camp." Turning back to the merchant, she nods. "Dangers are present, but if we keep our eyes open, we should be fine. If you have any cold iron, you might keep it near. Even scrap iron would be good. In fact, if you have any scraps of cold iron, I could make some cold iron rounds for my weapons, in case we encounter fey."
Vaki grins at the question about how he ended up on guard duty "In order to catch a thief, sometimes you need to be a thief"
557 CY - 6th Day of Coldeven - Gnarley Forest - 5th Day of the Trip
The fourth night goes by uneventfully.
You sleep by day. With the encounter with the Stranger now a few days old those on the trip begin to relax.
A brief pause at mid-day finds a knock at your wagon door, "Rhun, are you awake?" You hear the voice of Kate.
Rhun shifts back into human form, letting her fox form drop away, and then says loudly. "Yes, one moment." She opens the door. "Yes? Is something wrong?"
Raze most certainly will now be more alert instead of relaxing. It would be when he would hit, just after the target lowers its guard.
-Posted with Wayfinder
Gerwyn doesn't do anything unusual, but he stays wary for the same reason Raze does.
Reckless, maybe the others didn't notice because they lacked the senses or focus. No matter, if she was exposed then it would work to their advantage. A way to plant the attention far from them. Standing apart was dangerous when you had secrets to protect, more so when you made such a point of playing your cards. Something he thought all their kind knew. He wondered if the others knew, perhaps some did. Well he wasn't going to spoil anything without reason, they would need to justify their deception. That would be interesting if things went that way.
"Excuse me, I have to water the plants."
He made sure to get some distance from the camp. He waited, watched, and listened to make sure no one or nothing was near by. He kept alert as he relieved himself and sent his senses high above the campsite. Nothing was going to sneak up on him.
557 CY - 6th Day of Coldeven - Gnarley Forest - 5th Day of the Trip
Igdus steps out of the wagon at mid-day to stretch his legs and relieve himself. As he expands his awareness into the woods.
The rest of the Six wake up and stretch their legs as well.
Kate smiles when you open the door, "No. No nothing is wrong, I was just, well I was hoping to talk. I know you have been awake at night but I'm a bit lonely, I think you could tell the rest of the passengers on this caravan do not care much for me..."
Rhun laughs. "Well, most of the passengers on this caravan are idiots." She says with a smile, and steps down out of the wagon, straightening her clothes. "To be honest, I've always been a night girl, big city, there's always something to do, and less people to deal with, which usually means less idiots..." She waves a hand toward the Caravan, with the aforementioned idiots. She looks around, and shrugs. "A little noon break doesn't hurt my sleeping, I could sleep on the top of the wagon with a band playing inside if I wanted to." She stretches and cracks her back a few times. "Sleeping on rugs isn't great for the back, but it's better than sleeping sitting up."