"Ah, ya okey." He says before climbing back down. The wagon appears to be levered up and then pivots on the wheel still touching the ground. The man in the helmet and a few other soldiers work on the gate, he yells out, "Come on in."
Once you are in they pivot the wagon back to its closed position. The man in the helmet points to another soldier and says, "Take them to the commander." The soldier in studded leather armor, light shield and a spear nods his head leading your group to the center of camp.
This lad seems to be younger and friendlier, "Sorry about that, we have been attacked recently by some gnolls, just skirmishes but we have been securing the gate for that reason. My name is Bradley, please address the commander as sir. Here we are, one moment and I will introduce you."
Inside the tent there is a large table with maps and books separating your group from the imposing figure of the commander in heavy armor. The rest of the room is Spartan except for the bed with extra blankets on it. The commander has brown hair that is graying, a goatee, and a very serious look on his face, then he says in a gravelly voice, "Supplies, from sanctuary, excellent, do you have writs or do I produce them?"
"Gnolls, huh? The name's Garret."
Garret takes a quick look about the room, replying, "Hello, sir. We weren't given any writs, just packages and directions. Looks like you're in quite a pickle around here."
The commander continues to speak evenly but in his gravelly voice, "Unload the packages next to the table, will one writ work or do I need to make seperate ones? Pickle, no. The Thousand Day war had many pickles, these are just raiders. If only I had more experienced soldiers I could send out a squad to take care of the gnolls, what about you is your group up for hunting gnolls? There is good coin involved."
Names Aien.
Gnolls! Well, I guess we could take them, but we kinda need to do another thing...
Ise salutes the commander. "Ise's the name. Unfortunately we are on a time limit with negative repercussions if we fail the task we already have."
Garret scratches his chin, "Uh, probably best to make seperate writs for each of us. As the others have said, we have prior engagements. Besides, I think we may be a li'l underequipped to deal with raiders."
Baris has been a bit out of sorts since getting close to the outpost, walking a bit like he is drunk.
He smiles sheepishly as he begins to unload his bag of packages, a total of seven. Then he says, "You can make it out to Baris."
The commander nods as he gets out some paper and begins to write on them. He nods to each of you as he makes the writs for each of you in turn, "Now each of you need to sign the top with your name, then return it to the one who gave you the packages. Perhaps I will see you again soon? You are dismissed."
The writ has a place for your name, it says the supplies were delivered, the commander's signature Sir Ivrick Colbann, and for 1 delivery for 10 gp.
The outpost is rather simple in that there is eight more smaller tents and several piles of dirt with fences. Some soldiers walk around aimlessly as others do chores.
Garret does the same with a writ, "Thank you, sir. We should be on our way then. Perhaps, we'll be able to assist at another time."
"Well then, shall we go?", he asks the others.
Baris waits for everyone else first then grabs his writ and asks, "Does anything need to be delivered to town?"
With a negative response Baris quickly joins the group and responds to Garret, "Yes, let's get this show on the road." He goes to the gate and helps open it.
It is about 4 in the afternoon. There is a slight breeze and only a few clouds out.
Ise takes his writ, adding his name. "Thank you, sir." He leaves with the others. "I think it would be best to rest for the day, so that when we get to the forest tomorrow we can start gathering web's ASAP."
Aien signs his wrrit, almost adding his real name, but quickly correcting.
Good idea. Plus, I'll get rid of this pesky fatigued condition.
"Hmm, true. Although, I don't think anyone has campin' gear. Maybe there's some spare bunks here at the outpost."
Garret proceeds to ask as such.
Bradley was still outside of the commander's camp. "There are extra tents, let me go see what we have. The only cost for using them would be to help protect the outpost if attacked. If you need something more official go ask the commander." with that said he goes looking for the extra tents.
"Ah, thank you. That's plenty enough for me. And an agreeable cost.", Garret says with a tip of his hat.
He looks to the others, "How 'bout y'all? Any greater needs?"
"Sounds fair to me." Ise pats the sword at his side and looks around for some sort of training ground.
Accepting the offer, Bradley eventually produces two tents and a sleeping roll for each of you. Dinner comes along and a bell is tolled. Any soldiers walking by would offer for your group to join them but only if Jellena does as well.
Since the group chose not to continue Baris helps the soldiers close the gate. Otherwise he sees what the soldiers do for fun... Playing dice, cards, etc., that keeps him entertained for a couple of hours.
"Thanks, Bradley."
Garret walks the grounds of the outpost till the dinner bell, asking the soldiers who seem less busy about the happenings in the area.
At dinner, he sits facing Jellena, "What are you reading, Miss Darkling? Any good?"
Ise looks around for a comfortable place to sit and takes a light nap till dinner.
Well, what now?
Aien lies in his tent as he thinks.
I hope there's no raid tonight.
He takes out his musket and keeps it close.
Garret you learn that there are quite a few beasts roaming the plains including dogs, goblins, giant ants, undead mostly zombies, gnolls, and even some wrogs.
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She smiles at Garret and replies sweetly but with a bit of sarcasm too, "Well I am reading our holy text, the Libris Morbis also known as the book of the dead. Though it is not the small pamphlet that most members receive. More words than pictures in this one."
Once she has her plate of food she prays quietly over it before delicately eating it with as much subtle innuendo as possible. She stops eating halfway through the plate and whispers to the group, "One of us has to pick up cooking ASAP! I don't know how many more meals of tasteless food I can take, any takers?"
"After nectar of the gods, all mortal food seems to be tasteless though you aren't a god Jellena. Hmmm, no I am too lazy to pick up most professions." Baris says simply, he only ate a few pieces of fruit and juggling four more apples right now.
Garret cocks his head to the left, "Libris Morbis? Hmmm, never been a devout individual. Maybe I'll get involved here. Seein' how we can actually meet gods face to face."
Garret pokes at the poor fare, "Agreed. I was plannin' to pick up Cooking after tastin' those horrible rations that are in my pack."
The night comes quickly but the morning comes faster. Before you know it you are walking on the road again.
Garret lets out an enormous yawn, somewhat resembling a large cat, and causing his jaw to let out a loud, sudden pop.
"Ugh, glad I can sleep pretty much anywhere. Otherwise, I'd have been too concerned about a possible raid last night. How 'bout y'all?", he asks while massaging his left cheek.
He scans the surroundings, not particularly looking for anything, "At least, we ain't got much further to go though. Hopefully, we can wrap this up relatively quick and get back to town."
At the sound of Garret, Aien snaps upright and levels his musket.
Aaaahhh! $#!+ ! Gnolls!
Oh, wait, its Garret. False Alarm! Again!....For the thirteenth time.
Aien loads his musket with a fresh paper cartridge.
He turns to face Garret.
Better than the other last night, but still hell, as you can see.
Aien yawns.
As the sun rises, Ise stretches and does some morning exercises with the troops garrisoned here before joining the others.
"I slept pretty well, Looking towards Aien with a joking smile Unlike Aien I see. The sooner we get the silk the sooner we can make it to town to spend our reward money!"
Garret cocks an eyebrow at Aien and lets out a hearty laugh, "Bahaha! Dude, seriously? You're as jumpy as a rat in a snake cage."
He claps Aien on the shoulder, "Gotta chill, man. You'll have a breakdown if you don't."
Baris is still sleeping on Board. Board's large loud snores are complimented by Baris's small wheezing snore.
Aien fixes Garret with a stare.
Who says I haven't already had a breakdown?!
Now, how about we hurry along on our quest? My paranoia will persist only for a short while. I can be more alert.
Totally works like that.
"Ah, now that I think about it, that's very likely. Yeah, we oughta get goin'. Just make sure to check your targets twice.", Garret says as he readies to depart.
Board gets up lazily, packs up his stuff including the halfling into the top of his pack. He follows slowly behind.
The group sets out. There are a few mobs in the distance off of the road but sticking to the road seems safe enough. After four hours of walking you likely take a break to eat something likely one of your rations.
A traveling salesman walks up to your group and says, "Would you care for a sample of my wares? I sell a tasty treat of roasted boar. I also have a drink that will help make the most dull of meals worth taking the time to eat. I call it Elixir of Taste. Here have a sample of the elixir and a piece of meat." He offers thimble sized metal cups and small slices of meat on a silver tray.
Garret looks at Jellena quizzically, "Cold? Or somethin' more serious?"
He eyes the halfling bobbing up and down in the pack, "Uh, havin' fun there, Lord Baris?"
He turns towards the tray, "Um, no thanks. I'll make do with what I've got."
He whispers to the others, "Definitely suspicious."
As they walk Ise slips up beside Garret. "You're a religious man right Garret? What god do you serve?"
Ise lips at Garret "You think?" He then turns to the man, "I'll pass, we're all pretty well prepared for our trip."
To Ise's question, Garret replies, "Religious? Not particularly. Although, I may become one here. What with the gods right there in front of us, you know. But anyways, I serve Death, same as Miss Darkling."
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She responds to Garret's inquiry with indifference in her voice, "A bit cold, also these lads don't need encouragement."
She shrugs her shoulders, dropping the black fur blanket as she does, and goes to take the samples, "Perhaps it will be an answer to one of my prayers." She takes the drink first then the slice of meat. A pleasant look appears on her face and happily says, "Yup that is great! How much for a bottle of your elixir? I am a priestess of Death, any discounts?"
He looks surprised and pleased at her statements, "May the goddess watch over you as well. The first bottle for you is free, each one afterwards will be 5 silver. Make sure to only take a swig before a meal, too much and it will just be wasted. If you need more I stay at the dwarven outpost between the forest and Sanctuary."
"Yup! Training for my follower." Baris says as he moves to one side and Board accommodates to keep the halfling on the pack.
The halfling stares at the merchant letting Jellena interact with him. He seems to keep a wary on on the fellow.