Garridan agrees with Ed's suggestion on finding someone to run their business and responds to the request, "I'll go with you Ed." As they look for a manager he thinks, If we don't start making money soon I may have to divest myself from this investment.
Garridan agrees with Ed's suggestion on finding someone to run their business and responds to the request, "I'll go with you Ed." As they look for a manager he thinks, If we don't start making money soon I may have to divest myself from this investment.
Lief doesn't learn much as he scours the city night after night searching for information about the leaders of the city. Until the middle of the week when he bumps into Akron having a drink, taking a break from the day. Akron has information, and is happy to share it.
He's been busy the last few days divesting Zincher's various businesses. Many of them were snatched up pretty quickly by Cromarcky, then some by the Cyphermages, but a few made it into private hands. A dragon tonnage of cash was redistributed throughout the city through debt erasure. Lots of folks owed Zincher money, or were partners with him in various business dealings and all that went away with his death.
Finally the men and women that made up his gang have become something of a problem - and that's what Akron's drinking over. He can't hire them, and most he wouldn't want to. He can't imprison them, though he has seen to it that a few of the higher ups will see some jail time and there's at least one hanging.
There's just a large population of displaced thugs with no work, no income, and nothing to do. Muggings are on the rise, as are a myriad of petty crimes. Akron knows it's not his fault, but he doesn't like such messy loose ends and so he lingers in town trying to do something about it.
Lief does sense, from all his research, that things are more or less static. Cromarcky and the Cyphermages are still on top, and now there's an even wider gap to the rest of the rabble who call themselves crime lords. With the loss of Zincher, that title has less meaning now. Some are even calling the party, the 'Goblin crime lords. You find yourself more noticed than before in the various haunts you check each day. People know you...
- - -
Kaylayne fails to determine what magics are laid in on the ioun stone at her first try. She hunkers down (I assume) and takes-20 to delve...
- - -
Dimitrio (why not?) Garridan and Ederin go hunting. It's tough really. You cast a wide net to start and snare a few fish, but close examination reveals just minnows or thieves. You also find there's a new respect for you in the neighborhood, and maybe that's getting in the way. You ask for things, and folks just try to give it to you, and that lead to more than one incident wherein someone said they'd be interested and further questioning revealed they were just 'trying to help'.
Your first couple days are fruitless. You might try a different tack, let me know more details of what you seek, and, uh, roll better. :)
- - -
There is a brief but joyous scene when the captain of the Flying Cloud, Captain Creesy, makes it to port the evening of the 21st. He comes to the Gold Goblin looking for you around supper, and is mighty glad you're all there and all safe. "I circled the island twice, and feared the worst. I'm so glad you made it back! Tell me, how did it go? Did you find what you sought?"
- - -
You have two more days until your planned departure. It is 22 Arodus, 4709. Kwava is hanging around the periphery in case you decide to leave early (he has hopes), but he stays out of your way. He has, I think I mentioned, horses ready for your trip. He waits.
Lief turns the stone over in his hand, and smiles grandly. He hands it back to Kaylayne, who seems to need more time sorting out the intricacy of the weave.
...
"You can read those drow books, eh? Can you teach me the language? Figure we ain't seen the last o' the drow, might not hurt to have a few of us that can understand them."
Lief brightens to hear the archer speak on learning a new language. "Absolutely. Under different circumstances, I'd discourage your selection of languages for something more utilitarian outside of Riddleport, but Undercommon should serve us well, especially if we find them marking their paths for ease of communication between themselves." In what little downtime they have, Lief does his best to bring Ederin up to speed on the Drow language.
...
Lief reports on his meeting with Akron, and notes their slightly-increased street status as the Goblin Crimelords. He doesn't sound as thrilled as one might with a lift in reputation. As a crimelord.
When Ederin asks for help, Lief does his best to rip himself away from his brews to assist in gathering information about potential managers/floor bosses, but he largely focuses on his crafting.
Ederin knows they likely need to leave soon, as much as he wants to stay in Riddleport (he's a Crimelord now! Imagine!), he knows he can't just keep ignoring the drow threat, but people in his city are getting hurt. He tries to offer a few of his friends jobs at the Goblin, since he was directly responsible for killing their boss, but most decline since the business isn't actually open. They may be the Goblin Crimelords, but there's no money there yet.
"Garry I don't know what else to do. There must be some cow in this city that can run a business that ain't leaky, sour or sticky, right?" He knows Kwava offered to look over things but what does the elf know of running business?
He spends the first of the next two days pouring over his own knowledge of the city, wondering if he knows anyone personally that might be good. He asks everyone he can think of if they know anyone capable, either in person, or by sending animal messengers with notes including Sam, Cybi, Akron and, Captain Creesy. He's desperate not to leave his employees just wandering the building again.
If he can't even come up with a good suggestion by the end of the day he considers throwing in the towel and suggest to the party that selling may be the best idea. Cromarky would likely want to buy, given that he already owns every other legitimate gambling establishment in the city.
He spends the next day patrolling the streets. Wandering slowly through every district, quietly, keeping his face out of sight. He knows it isn't much, but if he can stop even one robbery or mugging than he's made some kind of difference. The idea of leaving the city a mess bothers him as much as it does Akron, but the other option is possibly worse.
He returns home at the end of the day and continues his study of the drow language, which he finds surprisingly easy to pick up. He never thought Riddleport slang would be good for something, but it taught him a strange pattern to language that lends itself well to learning another.
Ederin spends his day on patrol. He does in fact break up a few muggings and fights. Mostly folks targeting him as he’s traveling alone. If they only knew…
- - -
Later, more of the party gets in on the act, and it becomes a general hunt to find someone to run the Gold Goblin. Strangely enough, one name does come up and sort of float on the top of the accumulated scum. Bartlebe.
Mostly just rumors and comments (even from Cybi who likes to drink there), and when you put it together, it leads to real interest on your part. You know he’s a priest of Cayden Cailean from when he helped out with the tsunami aftermath so he’s got some power. Kwava also mentions he’s contracted him a few times for the odd spell now and again. Seems the man is hard up for cash.
Initially you thought it was due to poorly running his bar, the Drunken Lurch. Lief remembers someone telling him Boss Croat owns part of the bar however. A little digging, with Akron’s help, and you discover that poor Barlebe was taking in a sophisticated confidence scam and lost part of his ownership. He’s wiser now, and unlikely to fall for such a ruse in the future - another bonus.
The only question is, will he do it? He is a bit of a sourpuss, but Kaylayne found him to be a fair and direct employer. Not a lot of hassle, just smooth operation with minimal fuss. He's certainly no front man, but he might do well running things.
Oh and he can make wine from water with a spell.
"He was fine. He treated me just fine," Kaylayne opines on Barlebe. "I mean, he gave me a job when no one would, and didn't try anything to silly while I was working with him. He's a fine enough choice...if he'll do it."
Kaylayne looks up from her crafting to see if she's being heard.
"Of course, I'd be just as happy to sell the place as not."
Kaylayne happy listens and responds to any discussion on the matter as she, as she has for the last days, continues to craft magical butterfly fetishes.
Ederin nods in agreement with Kaylayne. "Barts? Yeah, let's offer him the job. The old cow is one o' the best bartenders we've got around here, helped us out when we had the flood too. If he needs the sweets and wants the job, I don't see any reason not to help him out. Might even bring in some people from the Lurch that wouldn't usually spend coin here."
Garridan considers the suggestion of hiring Bartlebe and agrees, "I think he would be perfect for the job.
Dimitrio did not want to sell the Goblin. He really thought he could make a living doing what he loved best... and grow fat and happy in the meantime.
So the bard asked around with the few friends he had made to find who in Riddleport was qualified, not not just qualified, but had the passion to make this place soar.
Dimitrio spent the next couple of days going from establishment to establishment to see who was good and who was unhappy. He spent some gold on drinks and talked to patrons and potential clients. Where did they like to go and why? Was there someone there that made the difference?
Well, there are many fine establishments, but your inquiries begin to make people nervous.
Bartlebe's place comes up in your search. Though it's not a hot-spot in town, it's known and liked by the locals. There are certainly those with more passion however.
In most cases, those with the fierce passion you seek, have already opened their own spots in one form or another. You could try to buy someone out if you wanted, but it might get expensive.
In the other cases, they're already working in one of those places. The owners start to wonder if you're looking to poach, and get nervous, putting up roadblocks to the very thought that their prized employees might leave.
You'll even hear the early rumblings of a fight over one man, a halfling former slave, who seemed particularly skilled. It's rumored he served in the highest nobles houses in Cheliax before earning his freedom and coming here. He goes by the name of Drywsone and currently works in one of the other gambling halls (the Watercress) - owned by Cromarcky.
He's very, very good at gambling.
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"Barts? Yeah, let's offer him the job. The old cow is one o' the best bartenders we've got around here..."
Kaylayne raises an eyebrow at the insinuation that Barts could be the best, but realizes that Ederin is 'one of' the best, leaving the option for Kaylayne to be the best.
Which, of course, she is.
Someone needs to actually offer Bartlebe... or Drywsone, the job. Don't get too bogged down with details, I don't want you hung up on this too much.
That said, you can also do more research on either one or both of them, but this is where you are the day or two before planned departure.
The bard gathers the rest of the owners with the hopes of reaching some sort of agreement.
"My search for a better candidate was not very successful. I think we can offer Bartlebe the job and then see how he is doing, right? I mean we don't have to sign over the establishment or anything like that. Let's approach this as a ... let's do this and see how it goes. If we are all happy then we can make this into something more permanent."
Or by that time, I could be back from all this SHINKORA nonsense and take over the place myself.
"What do you say? Layne you want to come with me and talk to Bart? Anyone else?"
Seeing that just about everyone is in agreement Ederin joins the group to got offer Bartlbe the job.
"Ain't been the the Lurch in a few weeks now, will be good to grab a drink there again."
Once that's all said and done Ederin is ready to finally go meet these Elves in Crying Leaf.
"What do you say? Layne you want to come with me and talk to Bart? Anyone else?"
Kaylayne shrugs, blowing dust of a pre-painted butterfly carving.
"Yeah sure. It will be good to see him again. He helped me a lot when I needed it. I wonder if he'll be available to help me again."
Kaylayne accompanies Dimi (and whomever else) to The Drunken Lurch. She lets Dimitrio do the talking, but is happy to take over if things don't look to be going over so well. She recognizes that she, as a former employee, is coming back not more than a few months after leaving with a very successful story and offer. Some men might be put off by that.
We'll see how Bartlebe responds.
Excited at the prospect of returning to where this all began Garridan heads to the Lurch with the rest of the group and thinks, I wonder if that lucky halfling will be there?
The party, as a whole I would expect, heads over to the Drunken Lurch in the middle of the afternoon. It is, as usual for this time of day, mostly empty with just a few locals loitering about sipping their early drinks and relaxing. One, a particularly nervous gentleman, gets up and leaves as you come in, but the others greet you warmly enough. All of them know you.
Bartlebe is working in the kitchen. A new servant is working the bar in Kaylayne's place, and she's pleasant enough and connects you with Bartlebe fairly quickly and without a lot of hassle.
You head into the kitchen where Bartlebe is helping to prepare for the dinner rush in a few hours. He looks up at the lot of you, "Yes?" he wonders aloud.
"What do you say? Layne, you want to come with me and talk to Bart? Anyone else?"
"I'm perfectly fine staying behind. Send Bart my regards." Lief is content working over his formulae notes, and readying for their journey to Crying Leaf. He wonders if he can use the remaining time to obtain more mixtures from the Order. He decides he can work on that angle after they've made their trip. Armageddon. Why'd they have to choose that word? It's so... pressing.
You head into the kitchen where Bartlebe is helping to prepare for the dinner rush in a few hours. He looks up at the lot of you, "Yes?" he wonders aloud.
Dimitrio saunters into the place like a peacock among hens, his boots clanging loudly.
Once he gets to see Bart, he greets the man warmly and compliments him on the fine establishment that he is running.
He then asks what his plans are for the future...
"So I was- we were wondering if you wanted to spread your wings so to speak. If you wanted to try and use your fine management style that you have for running this place and run the 'Goblin'?"
He added, "Would you be interesting in running the Goblin for- with us?"
He added, "Would you be interesting in running the Goblin for- with us?"
Kaylayne head nods to Bartlebe.
"Hey, Bartlebe. Been a while. He's serious. We need someone good."
Diplomacy to aid
Bartlebe is shocked at the offer, and says so as he looks at Kaylayne. ”Quite honestly I’m shocked. I don’t know what you’re thinkin’, but I’m interested sure. Before I sell what’s left of my business to Boss Croat, I want to look over your books, and think about it.”
He asks a few questions, ‘Will you be there’, ‘How often do you expect to add to the place’… basic stuff. His demeanor is less dour, but then you’re offering a lot.
Assuming you show him the real books, he looks up from them a couple hours later. ”OK, I’ll make you an offer. With you lot gone, we need a fund to pay for talent to take your place, right? Let’s put that at 60gp a month, paid to me. I’ll dole out what I need to cover the panache of the place, run special events, and the like. I keep the rest as my fee for doing the books and running the place while your gone.”
”But that’s not all. I want an owners share. An equal vote, and payout, on whatever you… I mean we, do with the place. I’ll not break my back sweating for you and have nothing to show for the effort. I figure you could get 20,000gp for the place, and there’s five of you, so I’ll buy in for 4,000gp. More then generous.”
”Are we in agreement? Naturally we’ll split the 60gp when you’re here and working. I’m not greedy.”
Ederin rolls his eyes at Dimitrio's flowery negotiations.
"He means for us, at least for a little while, we're gettin' pulled outta town for a bit but we wanna reopen the doors before we go, get it off the ground again. Think you're up for it?"
As Lief pours over his last failed adamantium blanch, he stands up from his desk, fuming. "I waited long enough, damn it! There's no way that shouldn't have worked! Gah!" He thinks about throwing something breakable, then thinks ahead to the needless act of cleaning it up, so holds his action.
As he walks about the room, he huffs, imagining the others clinking glasses with Bart, and making merry. "Well, Bart? What do you think? Are you more than satisfied with our offer? Of course you are, why wouldn't you step into the heat of the worry that we've become a threat to others, now that we've killed two crimelords ourselves? Didn't you hear, the word's out!" He burns off the heat of his anger to the silent room.
"In all honesty, Bart, we'd really appreciate your help. You're known to Kaylayne, and you were a good man through the floods. We're not greedy, and we'd like to see the place thrive, as our touch on Riddleport. Cromarcky himself would see a change come to this city, and we'd like you to be a part of it." Don't mind the worry that you might be targeted like the rest of us, now that we're being described as crimelords...
He feels a bit better, both for mitigating his anger, and for staying back while the others negotiate. He might not have done as well speaking for the group as a whole.
”Are we in agreement? Naturally we’ll split the 60gp when you’re here and working. I’m not greedy.”
Kaylayne lifts an eyebrow at the amounts of money being tossed around. She's happy to agree but questions the man's math...and wonders how much he'd like to be in.
"Bartlebe, just because I'm curious...how did you arrive at the 20,000 number? You think the Goblin is worth that much?" Kaylayne asks, her eyebrow raising again. "For that matter, shouldn't your buy-in share be 3333.33 if we're going to make you a full scale partner? With 1/5th of that going to each of the 5 of us?"
"You're being generous to round up to 4,000, huh?" Kaylayne asks to confirm the math and her tone connotes uncertainty.
”Are we in agreement? Naturally we’ll split the 60gp when you’re here and working. I’m not greedy.”Kaylayne lifts an eyebrow at the amounts of money being tossed around. She's happy to agree but questions the man's math...and wonders how much he'd like to be in.
"Bartlebe, just because I'm curious...how did you arrive at the 20,000 number? You think the Goblin is worth that much?" Kaylayne asks, her eyebrow raising again. "For that matter, shouldn't your buy-in share be 3333.33 if we're going to make you a full scale partner? With 1/5th of that going to each of the 5 of us?"
"You're being generous to round up to 4,000, huh?" Kaylayne asks to confirm the math and her tone connotes uncertainty.
Dimitrio was very happy, "Layne, Layne, no need to get upset at the numbers, Bart here was just being generous because he recognizes the potential and opportunity this place has."
He turns to the man, "I for one will be very involved and want to be in charge of entertainment. I'd like to have direct involvement in who we hire as musicians, dancers, etc."
"I think you have yourself a deal," he turns to the others, "Right gentlemen... and Lady?"
"Bartlebe, just because I'm curious...how did you arrive at the 20,000 number? You think the Goblin is worth that much?" Kaylayne asks, her eyebrow raising again. "For that matter, shouldn't your buy-in share be 3333.33 if we're going to make you a full scale partner? With 1/5th of that going to each of the 5 of us?"
"You're being generous to round up to 4,000, huh?" Kaylayne asks to confirm the math and her tone connotes uncertainty.
"Well it's hard to say for sure without putting it on the market. But I'd guess Cromarcky himself might pay that much just to see it shuttered. Hard to know for sure, but I think it's a fair appraisal."
He leans back from the books, "If you like, you can get another opinion. I can wait."
"As for my buy in? We're going to be partners. When you see how much money this place can make, I don't want you coming back to me upset that you gave away too much for too little. We're to be partners, best to start on the right foot."
"Besides, that's what I can afford. I'm all in."
He turns to Dimitrio, "How will I contact you for final approval while you're traveling?"
- - -
If no one is opposed, Bartlebe is your man! It'll take him a few days to get things in order on his end to take over, then a few more days to actually reopen the doors. You'll be gone by then, but let's handle the cashflow now.
You gain 4,000gp from Bartlebe. You owe ~750gp to keep the place fully staffed while you've been mucking about. So you clear 3,250gp. The Gold Goblin, or whatever you're going to call the new business (Bartlebe likes the Gold Goblin himself, but he doesn't much care if you chose to change it), will be open 1 Rova 4709.
"As for my buy in? We're going to be partners. When you see how much money this place can make, I don't want you coming back to me upset that you gave away too much for too little. We're to be partners, best to start on the right foot."
"Besides, that's what I can afford. I'm all in."
He turns to Dimitrio, "How will I contact you for final approval while you're traveling?"
Dimitrio was happy. Here was a man who had passion and proven ability to run such a business. And Dimitrio was still part owner. He made some quick calculation in his head to see how much he needed to buy out the rest of them. A few weeks ago that sort of money would have been unthinkable but now a days it was a real possibility.
Bart's question broke his reverie.
"Uh... I don't know to be honest. But don't worry, I have faith you will make the right decisions while we are gone. If there's anything we can talk about now then let's do it, we still have a couple of days in town."
He shook the man's hand, "Thank you and let's make this place even better than it was."
When the group gets back to the Goblin, Lief heartens to the news of Bartlebe's recent acceptance. "Well done, Dimitrio. Sounds like he'll treat the business well enough, seeing as how the Drunken Lurch has managed to thrive in the waters of Riddleport's market. We should have paperwork drawn up before we leave, don't you think? Everything needs to be in its place before we depart. Did you have to threaten the man should he betray our interests like Saul did? He does know we killed both Saul and Zincher, I would assume."
Lief actually does take an interest in making sure both Bartlebe and they are represented well on both sides. Their partnership with Saul with the Gold Goblin without names on paper was nothing, until Cromarcky made it so.
"I won't need to approve anything while we're gone, just don't let anyone on the cat walks who doesn't seem like he's earned it." Ederin chimes in as he sips his drink and listens to Bartlbe.
"I figure anything you decide is better than keepin' the place closed like we have the last few weeks, like Carini here, I'm willing to trust you to make decisions on your own while we're gone. Wouldn't be fair of us to run things from the road."
Ederin takes whatever time he can to go over the guards schedules and contingency plans for emergency situations. He explains that the catwalks are only reserved for the ones who earned it, merit, not seniority. He feels very strongly about rewarding the most vigilant of his security team but other than that he's comfortable leaving the rest of any operational standards to the rest of the group.
"When we get back Barts, I wanna discuss what we can do with the basement. Got a few ideas for a nonlethal fightin' ring. Maybe openin' a little tattoo shop down there too! Give it some thought, mate."
"That's good, Bartlebe. I'm sure you'll do right by us and we'll do right by you," Kaylayne opines to Bartlebe. Kaylayne seems as happy as she can be under the circumstances as now they can move on to more important things, like the upcoming trip, without having to hear Dimitrio grouse and worry over the Bald Noblin.
"Alright, I'm out. I'll try to make sure the bars are stocked before I go, Bartlebe. Do mind the countertops, I put a lot of time into keeping them polished."
Kaylayne is ready to go...and ready to go go.
It'll take Lief a day of legal research and writing to put together a good contract. Bartlebe goes over it carefully and a few minor changes are made and the whole thing redrafted.
As Lief was occupied with crafting, it means you all have an extra day to spend on whatever you like.
"When we get back Barts, I wanna discuss what we can do with the basement. Got a few ideas for a nonlethal fightin' ring. Maybe openin' a little tattoo shop down there too! Give it some thought, mate."
"Let's get it back open and operational and we can start to add. That is a very nice space down there, with it's own private bar. We could make it into almost anything." he ponders.
You'll depart the day after tomorrow. Today is 25 Arodus, 4709. Kwava is quivering he's so excited for you to depart...
So please post your days activities and I'll move us along when everyone has posted, or later today whichever comes first. ;)
Ederin does a lot of nothing with his last day. He practices with his needles, reads some Undercommon, drinks at the bar, and in general just looks bored. There's not much excitement with the Goblin still closed, and he attracts too much attention out on the streets to enjoy skulking around anymore.
"So, we still taking Kwava's horses? I know Lief said he wanted to try somethin' magical. What's our plan?"
"So, we still taking Kwava's horses? I know Lief said he wanted to try somethin' magical. What's our plan?"
Dimitrio nods, "I think so Shorty. I haven't heard anything different. You a good rider?"
Dimitrio spends his day trying to find a comfortable cushion for his rear end. He's not a proficient rider and has heard that it is a very bad experience to ride for long periods of time if you are not used to it.
He asks around for some riding tips from Ederin's 'thugs' and practices on a saddle on top of a couple of chairs.
He also tries on his new magical armor, looking sideways at the mirror and clicking his tongue at his own reflection.
The man is ready to go adventurin'
"OK, who's carrying the healing wands, the lights, the smelling salts, and the antitoxins?"
You get an early start on the 26th, almost before the sun even gets up. You gather your horses at the stables. They're nothing special, but fine enough steeds for the journey. Kwava expects you to turn off the main road by dusk, and you should reach the forest the day after that. Then one day through the forest and Crying Leaf should be reached again by dusk. If all goes well.
The lands north of Riddleport are sparsely populated, with a few struggling farms near the city and the occasional hunter’s lodge further afield. A winding dirt road that quickly becomes a Varisian caravan path leads north from Riddleport, a route only infrequently used by travelers making their way between Varisia and the Lands of the Linnorm Kings.
This road follows the Velashu River for much of its length, occasionally veering away from its winding course to reduce travel time. The route to Crying Leaf follows this road until the Calphiak Mountains recede to the west. About 45 miles north of Riddleport, the hunter’s trail branches off - it is this road that leads to the rim of the Mierani Forest and the settlement of Crying Leaf.
You camp not far from the river that night and, assuming normal watches, the night passes uneventfully.
The next day, you rise a little later, some of you undoubtedly sore from the riding the day before, being un-used to such travel. But you get going well enough. It’s close to lunch when you see the cloud of dust that seems to be headed in your direction, and should arrive in about 10 minutes. From this distance, you can’t see what’s forming the dust-cloud. Could be a Janni for all you know, but it’s probably just a large group of horsemen.
I mean who would put a Janni here?
Lief frowns as he looks off in the distance. "Shall we find a small place off the road, and let this pass?" His horse shifts back and forth, agitated by its rider's lack of control. He tugs on the reins reflexively, and his horse turns in a circle, despite the young man's best attempts to prevent its completion.
"Best to avoid it altogether, right?"
"Best to avoid it altogether, right?"
Dimitrio shifts in his saddle. Again.
"Yes, you're right kid. it is best to move aside, dismount to stretch our legs, and let this pass."
Without waiting for anyone else to agree, he quickly dismounts and starts to gingerly rub his rump.
Garridan silently listens to his companions negotiations with Bartlebe as he realizes he is not a skilled negotiator. He is surprise at Barts forthrightness in assessing the value of the place and realizes they have found the right man.
Later he prepares for the journey and checks to see if his shield and rapier are done. He picks up a few more supplies as he gets ready to leave on the 26th.
As they journey and see the dust cloud Garridan quickly agrees as he begins to move off the side of the road, "I agree lets get out of sight"
Ederin eyes the dust cloud suspiciously and nods in agreement with the rest and starts scanning the area.
"Let me see if I can find a decent place to lay low."
"Best to avoid it altogether, right?"
"Good idea, Lief. Let's do that. Ederin...?"
Kaylayne smiles deeply as Lief finally learns to avoid fights that they need not have. She follows Ederin into the woods(?), going up into a tree (15-20') once they have found a spot to hide and after she ties off her horse.
Ederin, with all his skill, finds but one tree, and a pitiful example of the species it is - all gnarled and stumpy only rising 15' from the plains and providing little to no real cover.
The tall grasses of the prairie might be something you could hide within, but the horses stick out rather oddly. Maybe you could hide behind your horses?
The dust cloud shifts slightly to continue heading toward the party. As they close, you can see that it is comprised of riders, maybe a dozen or two - it's hard to tell as some of the horses are riderless.
They'll be here in less than a minute if you want to prepare in any other way.
Kaylayne looks at the pitiful cover, but relaxes a bit as she realizes they are riders approaching. Kaylayne doesn't seem overly concerned.
"Unless they are looking for us, they should just pass by," Kaylayne notes, waiting with spells ready.
Now that they figured out that there really wasn't any cover, Dimitrio relaxes but continues to stretch out his legs while waits for the riders to approach. Not like I'm going to outrun experienced riders anyway.
"You guys want me to talk to them or would you prefer Shorty, with the more rugged look, to do that? I could quickly grow a rough beard and mess up my clothes if you think that will help?"
I guess we'll find out what they want, Garridan concludes as he draws his rapier.
I guess we'll find out what they want, Garridan concludes as he draws his rapier.
"Wow, wow, Garry. They may just be passing by like Layne said, We don't need to make ourselves look aggressive, do we?"
Lief sees the subtle turn in the party's direction. "They see us. They've adjusted their course to continue in our direction." Having not dismounted, Lief kicks his horse ahead a little. "Might as well accept our fate."
He readies to meet the horsemen, by raising his hands and waving to them as they close the distance.
Kaylayne shakes her head, wanting to avoid a confrontation. She casts Call Lightning, but has no desire to use it. She awaits the oncoming riders.
Ederin nods at Garridan as his draws his own bow.
"Riders on the road ain't somethin' to relax about, and even if they don't mean us harm they'll understand why we have our weapons out."
Ederin doesn't cast anything but he uses the advantage of his short stature as he blends into the grass and watches the riders approach.
As the party prepares, the dust cloud closes. Eventually it is upon you and drifts past you with the wind. In its wake, you see a group of mounted men, and even more riderless horses.
The cloud of dust dissipates as the riders at its head slow to a canter. They are barbarians by their dress, bearing distinctive patterns of war paint on their faces and shoulders, marks repeated in the same dark color on the necks of their equine mounts. They are twelve in number, although they are followed by a train of two dozen additional horses. As they pull to a stop, they hold up their right hands, showing that they brandish no weapons.
The leader of the group, a tall, sun-tanned man with dusty black hair, urges his mount forward a few steps before speaking. “Strange days these are when stars fall from the sky and the walled-folk wander the plains of the Velashan. I am Windbraid. What brings you here?”
He doesn't seem to see Ederin hiding a little ways off in the tall grass.
The Horse Lords are primarily composed of Ulfen explorers and travelers who abandoned the Lands of the Linnorm Kings for a less violent life here on the outskirts of Varisia. Over the generations, their blood has mixed with both Varisians and the odd Shoanti. Although the Horse Lords aren’t officially part of the Shoanti tribes, some scholars still refer to them as the “Eighth Quah.” Never in front of a full-blood Shoanti, though.