Then let us be off! Mrachni, if you would be so kind as to show us the way?
"Yes this.. "Makni" fellow could be useful in showing me the way out so that i may lead us out"
You can tell that Fox is a bit... Snobbish? You may say. Always wanting to be leading and in front and seems to often think better of himself in a condescending way, as in he doesn't mean to insult a lot the time even though he does, as he is nobility he has always been treated "highly".
That would be Mrachni, and this would be Makvor Quaylon says, making sure to enunciate each syllable, while gesturing to the other half orc. He then turns to the gnome, I will let him introduce himself as my elvish tongue will do no justice to his name.
now to the question of leading us to our destination. Mrachni has the map, and is quite capable of navigating the vale.
Fox turning to Mrachni really looking at him for the first time...
"Oh my god! *he grips his sword and points at Mrachni* Back for more of my armor are you!? *realizing he is holding the map the Quaylon said* wait.... You are "Makni"? My apologies.... Where i come from we don't see much of "your kind" except hanging from trees and at the end of pikes..."
He says confusing Mrachni with a common orc that he has seen fought and numerous times.
"Can you... Speak, beast?"
Mrachni turns and heads off into the woods.
Quaylon gathers his pack and follows Mrachni into the woods.
This is going to be interesting, I hope his sword is swung better than his tongue he says when he catches up to the half-orc.
Fox turns to oglon
"I'll take that as a no"
He says smiling resting his sword on his shoulder
Zat mutters following...But why did we have to kill them?
"I think you'll find that Mrachni speaks when he has something to say, Lord Foxheart." Oglon says as he shoulders his pack and falls into step behind his armored companion.
As he passes the gnome, he will look curiously at him. Wondering whom he had to kill as he has seen no bodies in the clearing.
"Hmmm... What an odd occurrence not addressing a lord properly. It just goes to further show his lack of manners i suppose"
Near the river it gets a little swampy, and as you curve around its north end you hear a high pitch whistle.
From a raised section of land a Hobgoblin stands up from the brush. A Razorclaw Raven landing on his shoulder. Dark coal gray as opposed to black with light gray claws that have more in common with a bird of prey than a Raven. It's unerving beady black eyes looks down upon you judgingly.
Hail! I remember you lot. I see you made it through the liard's little web just fine. I see you have two more, too. Must have been what they were after. I see the goblins are up to there same tricks. Never mind all that though. The lizards have set traps around here. Many traps, some say to catch loggers. I could point em out to you, for a fee of course.
odd he speaks very well for Hobgoblin.
there Mrachni...:P that's what I get for posting before coffee....
"What kind of 'fee'?" asks Mrachni, wearily.
Quaylon moves up near Mrachni, There is no need to pay him, I can handle the traps, let me take point he whispers to the half-orc
"Yes my goodman, how much is this fee? *he looks through his backpack*"
"And you wouldn't happen to know how someone could recover a stolen shield would you? Either from the goblins or just buying another would be quite useful if i do say so myself"
Fox takes no time to pay him, as a person of his background paying a toll like this is not unusual.
"Lord Foxheart, I think you'll find that your coin was taken by our attackers last night."
Glancing at Lord Foxheart you would give up he coin you have so that he can tell us where he placed traps at? If you had a store, would you pay the town thieves to not steal from you as well?
Oglon:"IM OUT OF COIN!? Those damned thieves will pay!"
Quaylon"Things are ran differently you'll find in more "civilized" areas sir.."
The Hobgoblin smiles.
First names are in order. Speaching of civilized. A-hem. Speaking of rather. They call me Grung Knight-tongue. You sir missing shield and boot, oh and gold I take it that you're Lord Foxheart.
I know the forest too, if that is of any help.
Mrachni eyes the hobgoblin silently, remembering the impression he'd gotten the other night.
Addressing him in Orcish, Mrachni remarks:
You are not seeing him in the same light Mrachni.
Please sir, an honest trade I am trying to make here. You can speak that grutteral swill all you want. And yes it served me last night. Giggleman is a fearsome twisted...oop.
Bluff -
"Oop?!", Oglon looks sharply at the Hobgoblin for the first time, "Who is this 'Giggleman' you refer to Grung? And what part did he (and you for that matter) play in Lord Foxhearts unfortunate encounter?"
You do me this dishonor of knowing my name but not giving yours human. the primal elogated face stares its beady eyes at the monk.
The raven mocks the conversation with a CAW CAW
Mrachni takes one step toward the hobgoblin, lowering his voice a bit. "My companions are capable of doing you a greater dishonor than that. Speak, and speak honestly!"
Nah
"I am the Wanderer, I currently serve Lord Foxheart. One who plays with people's possessions and well being is not worthy of more honor than he shows." Oglon will begin to advance towards him, steadily.
I didn't steal your stuff that was the goblins. Did I work with the goblins? Yes I did. Will I work for you to get your stuff back, maybe a bit of revenge. Yes I will. To know what's coming you will need some help.
Throw some preceptions.
"Those who turn once may easily do so again."
Oh, aye, yes they will. But I warrant you have more gold than goblins. Stronger too, by the look, and lucky. Gold makes the rules, rules keep them loyal, at least where I come from.
Scratching his bare chin, he looks at the sky in thought.
Well, then if you won't buy my aid hows about purchasing a question or two? A silver per question, my life on its honesty.
suddenly a very raven like sound passes from his lips.
Corwarrk, tic Crobble?
Perception:
look at the dm thing Oglon.
"We may yet buy your aid, the priest has asked your price, you have not yet answered..." Oglon continues to approach, but slows some
took something out of his pocket, to small to tell what, other than round and brownish
Oglon will turn his head from the hobgoblin, just for a moment, hissing back at the others, "He has something in his hands, I believe he means to cast a spell!"
When he turns back towards Grung, he is prepared to close the distance between them as quickly as he can.
Spell? I could no longer cast a spell that I could father a human child. Though I would relish in the attempt. I dare say that it is you that is advancing I reveiled myself and have came to you peaceful like. Is it a crime to defend oneself in the wilds?
he smacked his lips at saying "relish in the attempt"
A growl escapes Mrachni's throat. "Answer the question that was put to you, offalspawn. What is your price?"
Price, uh. Oh, ya price how about 5 golds a day?
"I will not pay outrageous sums, much less with no knowledge of what I'm buying. What dangers are out there that you might protect us from?"
And that is your right traveler. Can't say I didn't offer you my help. I be a fool to offer for free what should be paid for. Good day.
He begins humming a tune, and moves down the other side of the hill, and off into deeper brush.
perception:
I think we should just move along, paying this creature anything will get us nothing, I would wager he would take out coin, provide us half truths and turn around and sell us out to the goblins, assuming of course he isn't just delaying us while they get into position to attack us
Sense motive:
He was pretty plane to everyone but Mrachni about taking some stone out of his belt pounch. Looked like an alchemical item.
Mrachni motions for Quaylon to take the lead.
Fox looks at "guide"
"Scoundrel -_-"
Quaylon moves to the front, keeping an eye out for any potential traps.
Mrachni, please keep me on the right path, I will keep my out for traps
Perception:
Mrachni will give directions from right behind Quaylon, keeping his eyes open.
You come to a section of the trail where a boar has been snared. It is quite dead. The brush, ground, and nearby trees have been thrashed greatly by its tusks. It's back hauch, the one not snared has been removed.
It has been dead for a few days, a crossbow bolt sticking out from between its eyes. Maggots are just begining to feed in earnest.
We will need two more survival rolls. DC 15 to stay on track.
Night falls before you reach the Old Growth, assuming your not lost or some such.
Mark off rations and water accordingly. YOu can also throw a survival to do a bit of hunting/gathering.
Random encounter - type of encounter
Mrachni examines the bull in an attempt to see if it was the crossbow bolt that killed it, and whether he can tell what sort of creature fired the crossbow bolt.
After examining the boar, he takes the map again and frowns. "This map is difficult to read."