Alaeron shifts through the dirt with his hands as he sits and thinks and looks off towards the direction of the drag marks. He pets Nemesis as the young cat tries to nuzzle his hands. He gets up from his crouch and heads back to the campsite.
"We've got some tracks, several days old. Looks like a large group of individuals were dragging something off. If you need to make water, make sure to bring a look out with you in case they come back. Captain, do you have a moment?"
Terra just punches Doran on the arm. we'll call it even now
When I saw you in uniform I thought you were commisioned by my father to take me back home. but its obvious that is not the case. just accept the apology and we can move on. I want to prove I can make it outdside those damned hellish walls they like to call home, but I call prison.
Once they reach the forest edge.
I say rest before going further
"Kid, I've commanded my share of runaways, I could tell you what they ended up wanting in the end but I know it wouldn't make a difference. Just don't do anything you'll regret," Piers said and left it at that.
"What've you got Alaeron?" Piers said, stepping away from the others with the ranger.
"Concern... the tracks could mean anything, but for the time being I would recommend we set up a double watch. If nothing shows in the night, I propose we follow the tracks to see where they lead"
You make camp for the night and enjoy a wonderful meal around the campfire. Not long after you finish eating though, you all start to feel a little odd.
"Could be local hunters," Piers said but nodded, "We'll check it out in the morning and double watch is a good idea."
Tiriael sat there unable to fully grasp why all of her companions seem to nod off.
Shortly there after, eight men entered the camp. The man carrying a dagger and shortbow looked her, and seemed surprised. "Oh, you're still awake? Men," he snapped his fingers, "Keep her from interfering will you." Five of the men drew their longswords and stepped in front the Bard. "You," the apparent leader said while pointing at one of the robed individuals, "Tie up the little girl." indicating Terra. Turning back to Tiriael, "Your move, cutie. Your friends can't help you now." He said with a wide grin on his face.
She will use Spellcraft to try and understand what spell it is ->
If the spell is one that she knows and can be countered she will act accordingly, like screaming to wake people that are affected by the level 1 spell Sleep. If it is something she knows she will not counter immediately like Symbol of Sleep, she reacts otherwise immediately pretending that she also is falling asleep - > (but see below), and trying to somehow roll to a place more out of sight (behind backpacks or something similar) ->
Tiriael's semblant changes dramatically as she goes on a spite and hate filled tirade about the cowardice and lowliness of these mens' actions - The invective is so aggressive it has physical consequences of their own, grating on ears and mind alike - Casting Blistering Invective -> Save Reflex DC 17 if the Intimidate is successful
Not sure if this would entail a surprise round (if the Bluff succeeds) or an initiative from my end, but in any case:
She would cast Cacophonous Call on any caster looking character (maybe the robed individual?) -> Will Save DC17
Tiriaels' face looks somber at their inability to prevent such attack, and she answers simply with a stream of insults -
Your surprise string of insults catches the men off guard and on fire. The leader of the group flails about for a few seconds then falls to the ground a burnt husk. Before any of them could react to the situation, you launch a second spell at the robed figure with the religous symbol around his neck.
The figure puts his hands over his ears in pain. Dropping the rope, the other robed figure stands, throws up his hands and says, "Okay we yield! We yield. Come on boys, this ain't worth it." With that, the five men in front of you drop their swords and flee with the other two, leaving the burnt corpse of their leader with you.
- potion of cure light wounds
- acid (2)
- smokestick
- tanglefoot bag
- masterwork studded leather
- daggers (5)
- short sword
- thieves' tools
- longswords (5)
- 25 gp
- smelling salt
Upon searching the dead body, you find a crumpled up wanted poster in his pocket. You examine it and see a sketch of Terra on it along with the following text. Reward of 5,000 Gold for the safe return on Valterra Holister, daughter of General Vash Holister of the Hammer Brigade. Reported missing three months ago. You then use the smelling salt to wake the others.
Tiriael is still tense for a couple of minutes after the encounter - standing motionless with attention only to the sounds of the surrounding wilds, to make sure they are alone.
After confirming that the charred corpse is indeed dead, and finding the wanted poster, she decides to tuck it away safely.
The first person she wakes up is Terra, exactly for that reason.
When the girl recovers her bearings, she explains what has happened, and shows her the wanted poster - "Apparently they were coming for you. I decided to wake you first because... Well... I wanted to have a few short words. You don't have to share anything from your life that you do not wish to - I do not know how much the others know about the situation, but I was completely unaware that you were wanted for some reason"
Leaning closer she adds - "It is none of my business, and not my place to inquire about other peoples' lives, so I will not do it. But I will ask you to come forward with this towards everyone in our travelling group - since we travel together, I believe all should know. This allows each one of us to make our choices with the full necessary knowledge"
Tiriael then hands the poster to Terra and smiles - "Now... Help me wake up all these sleepy heads?"
I'm sorry, I thought this was behind me, I didn't do anything wrong, I'm not a criminal. I just...I..I ran away from home. I just couldn't take it anymore. she brushes some of her hair aside revealing the marks of abuse across her face. clearly an indication as to why she has trouble seeing considering the location of the scars.
My father is a General, a well connected military leader, that is why I didn't trust the captain, all of those military types tends to work together. Please, I didn't say anything, well 5000 gold is a large sum, many would see that as an easy income, maybe set for life. I just want to live my own life, not the programed, structured life of a general's daughter.
she takes the poster and tosses it into the fire.
tell the other if you like, if I am a liability then I will leave. but I am not going back home!
she then will help wake the others
You're awakened by Tiriael and Terra, with your vision slightly hazed for a couple of seconds. The camp seems to be in order, except for the burnt body and the pile of swords that weren't there before. After hearing the Bard recount what happened, you all are extra vigilant during your watches. The night passes without any further incidents.
Morning comes in a beautiful array of pinks and oranges. After breaking down the campsite, you begin to decide where to go from here.
Doran blinks for several moments, blearily looking around the campsite- then he notices the burnt body and jumps to his feet, a look of absolute terror on his face. "Oh dragon-gods I-I-I-I I didn't mean to I know I snore and move around and stuff while I sleep and I've created fire sometimes butbutbutbut I've never hit someone with it while..." After a few moments, he looks around. "Wait... everyone's here. So who's that?"
After it is explained to him, he visibly calms down, and gives a weak smile. "Good... good. Nice job, Tiriael!"
"Lucky break there," Piers said, reassessing his opinion of the scholar.
"I doubt our next few encounters will be so easily handled. Alaeron, give me a hand with this body. The smell of burnt human is something I doubt the rest of you are as acclimated to as me."
Alaeron rubs his head has he gets up, "Magical sleep always gives me such a headache... starting to wish I was an elf so I'd be immune to such nonsense."
He gets up and moves to the over side of the burnt body, ready to move it with the Captain. He betrays no sign of being disgusted or grossed out. "I may not be as... venerable as you Captain, but I have seen quite worse in my short life so far." He heaves up his one half of the body and begins to move it into the forest.
"Venerable? I'll have you know I'm more that young enough to tan your hide," Piers grumbles as he hefts the other half. When they find a suitable ravine or ditch, Piers tosses the body down without much respect but before leaving, he does mutter a quick prayer in Barsav. He was not a superstitious man but he had no interest in vengeful ghosts either.
Alaeron chuckles as he pats the Captain's shoulder after tossing the body. "Just cheerful ribbing among comrades. I'm sure you have at least a few good years left!"
After waking the others and the night passing to morning, Terra cleans up her part of the campsite wuietly. she occasionally watches the others. apparently she does not want to be the hold up to moving along.
of course she does not have much to pack up as it all fits inside her travel bag. slinging it over her shoulder Terra is ready to move on.
"Seems like something Ms. Scholar would be able to enlighten us about," Piers said, collecting one of the vials in a handkerchief and taking it back to camp.
You are unsure what the residue is, but you get the feeling it might be important.
Alaeron nods to the Captain and heads back to camp. "Don't think we need anymore then the one..."
With her gear packed, Tiriael stands in the middle of the camping site, with the map in hand - "We should get going - Alaeron, would you assist in finding our bearings - which way?" - she smiles.
Nebari awakes from a heavy dream and peers around the camp and after a brief explination her begins to pack his things and prepare for another days travel while his mind drifts back to his dreams. After some time packing he listens to some of the group banter while he nibbles on his bread.
Hammock packed up, Doran borrows another of the daggers and slides it into his bag. "Onwards!"
He shoots a side-glance at Terra; she's been looking a little... worried... since the incident where the Bard annihilated that bandit.
Alaeron looks up at the sun and orientates himself
"This way.." He says as he begins to lead them through the forest. He sighs in a happy manner as a small breeze wafts the smell of the trees to him. He whistles to Nemesis to begin his scouting ahead of the group, but to stay close in case their is trouble
You travel through the forest for several hours. The sweet scent of pine hangs in the air as the early morning mist swirls in the breeze. Birds are heard chirping from every direction, while select rays of the sun come down to illuminate various areas of the forest floor. Despite the peaceful scene, you keep an extra vigilant eye out, due to last night's escapade.
You hear the movements of a group of animals. A few seconds later, a pack of wolves appear. You count six in total, and they seem to just be standing there, looking at you all.
Doran blinks and cocks his head, staring at him. Under his breath, he quietly mutters to all of you "Try and move past? Scare them off?"
"They're right to be wary as we almost match their numbers, but be alert for others trying to flank us. Just because they're wolves doesn't mean they're dumb," Piers said to the others as he edged forward, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword.
Tiriael scans the area around, looking for additional beasts that may lay in ambush.
You're unable to discern whether or no they are going to attack, but there do not seem to be any other's running about. It just looks like these six.
In a low whisper Nebari offers a suggestion. "No point in wasting resources on the wild life, let us make our way back the way we came and circle around their territory."
Alaeron steps forward and places his hand on top of the Captain's that is resting on the hilt of his sword. "Please Captain, no violence..." He then slowly, calmly and confidently approaches the wolves.
The wolves stand and look at you for a couple more minutes, sniffing your hand. The pack leader licked your hand, then turned away and continued on with whatever they were doing. You continue on your way.
You travel a few more hours, and while the sun starts to set, you start to get the feeling like something is watching you.