With everyone aboard their respective camel, the caravan leads out of the North Gate of Solku.
After a 3-4 minute slow ride, you reach the watering well, where you stop to fill up your personal waterskins, if needed, and the spare 20 waterskins on the supply camel. At the well, you also see five women with a young child, about 5-6 years old, being held by the hand, looking to the northern horizon. They speak among themselves when they see you stop and disembark and they seem to pick the youngest one, in her early 20s, who approaches your caravan and says, "Good morning, young soldiers, peace be with you, I am Karina. May I trouble you too much to ask if you are riding out of Solku today,and if so would you happen to pass the Church of Dion on your ventures."
Knowledge Religion:
Knowledge Geography:
Knowledge (Religion) -
Knowledge (Geography) -
"I know of the Church of Dion, and that it is near our course. I do not yet know if it is on our path. The bee beckoned back to the hive does not tarry at a nearby flower, no matter how sweet its nectar."
I take 2 of the spares, and put them on my camel.
"Before we take off on this journey could everyone who has not introduced themselves do so. I just think it is practical to know who I am with. As I stated previously I am Hav'k, and I have some control over nature itself.", say Havok eager to learn of the others.
"I am Raulzig, researcher and explorer extraordinaire. My skills are varied, and I am no stranger to arcane arts, too!"
Raulzig points his finger at one of H'vok's waterskins, and it suddenly makes a loop through the air before softly landing back on the camel.
"However if we must face gnolls, they will taste bolts and steel!
Raulzig proudly displays his crossbow and sword, which are both clearly quite new.
"Oh....", says Karina, clearly disappointed, as she looks back to the other 4 women, and nods her head no (from side to side). You see disappointment in the faces of the 4 women too, as again, they look towards the northern horizon. Karina mumbles "Sorry for bothering you" and walks back toward the women. Garavel turns and looks to you "What was that about?"
Urdaan takes a pair of spare waterskins and after filling them, pauses in packing his gear onto a camel to listen to the newcomers.
K. Geo
Not recognizing the location, he continues packing his gear, taking a moment to take a look at the caravan in general.
Upon hearing Hav'k request for general introductions, he shakes his head in amusment. "Yes, that probably should have been handled earlier, shouldn't it have? I'm am Urdaan Einalf. As Garavel stated, I've been working for some time as a caravan and market guard, mostly for my fath...partner, Thurrin Ironshod."
"I am Pashaj, a pilgrim."
"I did not mean to be a cause of disappointment, but neither will I make promises that may distract us. But I will go and speak with her all the same."
Pashaj rides slowly after Karina. "You reason for asking?"
"I hear that there is trouble from Samil my brother he is a monk at the church, and has been for some time. He said he would be returning to us soon a few weeks back but since then I have heard there is trouble at the old church and have heard no word from him. I... fear for the worst. in his last letter to us he said that High priest Golmek had been acting strangely... he told us nothing more. What if gnolls attacked or worse." Tears start to well up in her eyes."If you could just check up on him it would mean the world to me. The church is well hidden among the trees you may not be able to see it from the world I don't think they take to strangers well so tell the its on my behalf, Thank you a lot."she says under the impression you are going to help her. She turns to the four others and begins to tell them the "news".
"Strange that a follower of Irori keeps to bonds of family. That bond is one that holds us to this earth. But each path is different."
Sense Motive (on Karina) -
Pashaj turns back to Garavel, assuming he has been listening. "Similar to reports of Kelmarane, before it fell, if I recall. Concerned words followed by no words. Perhaps there is a connection. Perhaps not."
Garavel takes a puff of his new cigar "Gnolls out here if that is true then we will have to be more cautious than I thought. Usually monks of Irori keep to themselves perhaps there is something amiss though I doubt it is gnolls or bandits but corruption from within He mumbles out loud he seems to be very concerned over the ordeal "well we will see what we can do for the girl. If you are done with introductions we should head out". He than waits for a response.
"Charity is a centering point. If this shall please these here, it shall please us as well." Pashaj turns his camel in the direction of the Church. "When we arrive, I will speak to the monks. Our philosophies may differ, but our Master does not."
"though I do feel for the girl we would have to veer off our course to reach the Church, I have strict orders from Alamh to meet her in three days...but if there is indeed a problem it is best we look into it we could even learn more of what had happened in Kelmerane."sigh" It is good to know that you have good intentions, Pashaj, do you know the way"Garavel smiles
"I agree with Garavel; I would rather make apologies to our employer than potentionally leave someone to the gnolls' mercy. How long a side-trek would we be looking at?"
"It is a two or so day venture to reach the Church and then another two to reach the Claw from there. There could be a better route but...that is not my area of expertise." Garavel says in response to Urdaan.
** spoiler omitted **
"It is a two or so day venture to reach the Church and then another two to reach the Claw from there. There could be a better route but...that is not my area of expertise." Garavel says in response to Urdaan.
K.Geo
Urdaan glances over the dunes, and turns back to Garavel. "How are our carried water supplies? We could cut that by about half a day, if we travel directly through the desert. I'm not aware of any gnoll packs native to the region, and it may allow us to keep our appointment with Lady Alamh."
Garavel takes a puff and listens to Urdaan"You are just full of surprises gnoll hunter and if we push the camels hard we could reach Almah in time sounds like a plan though it may be risky to travel off road I'm willing to take my chances"Garavel than turns and speaks to the others "Our Hunter here has planed our route we are headed for the Church cutting though the desert stay tight and be cautious for many dangers lie on our path"with that said Garavel turns back to the road and begin to ride out at a slow pace he looks back to the group "Coming?"
Take 10 on Knowledge(geo):10+3=13
I concur with Urdaan, the straight path may lead us to the church faster. And three and a half days is technically still less than four days, so, Garavel, you wouldn't be in a breach of your contract! I have my wayfinder over here, it always shows where north is. We can use it to avoid getting lost. Plus it can serve as a light source if we travel by nighttime. And the church should have a drinking well to restore our water supplies. I say, we go and help the poor girl out!
Calain, having heard Garavel's shout,
Church or the town, we can kill gnolls just as well in either location, let's just get on with it
"Calain control your gnoll bloodthirst you will have your share of battle by the end I promise, and Raulzig I'd like to known a little bit more about that wayfinder of yours how did you come by it"
"I, too, have a wayfinder. The Venture-Captain gave it to me, though I did promise to pay him back for it. While it may add a little time to our journey, the desert is too dangerous of a place to leave such concerns as these uninvestigated. If we don't find anything, we can provide peace of mind. If we do find something wrong, we have eliminated a danger close to Solku."
"We are headed for the east every one sattle up and lets ride"Garavel signals the group
With everyone aboard their respective camel (in the same order as before), the caravan leads out of the North Gate of Solku and heads straight west thogh the open desert. As the hours pass, the heat of the desert begins to take its toll on you. Withen a couple of hours, the temperature is in the mid 80s with no sign of relief in sight. You all feel lucky you are not traveling during the summer months (still 2 months away), where you have heard the temperature can reach as high as 120! You see no other travlers of any sort. It seems the gnoll threat and the dangers of the desert have scared people off. By 2pm, the heat is at its strongest, and you each have used up more than 2 waterskins, as your clothes stick to your skin, drenched in sweat. As you come over a sand dune, you see to the south a small village "Thats the village of Samil folks It's definetly seen better days hear that theres great trouble there used to be a good little villa but with the trouble as of late...Listen to me blabber we have a church to find"With that said Garavel continues on full speed ahead!
After a few more hours of progress Garavel calls to set up camp at a near by group of trees Link(for shade and in hope of finding a watering hole) for the night, tired and sweaty.You eat your trail rations and drink your water, trying to conserve as much as possible. Garavel joins the party for dinner. After dinner, he excuses himself and goes into his tent. He wishes you luck on your card game, if you decide to engage in it. He also reminds you that there are only 10 full waterskins left.
After the camp is set up, Urdaan gives the grove a good search for a watering hole (unless it's presence was a foregone conclusion), and any other potential problems, like a serpent's den or scorpion nest.
Survival
Perception
After this, he settles down near the rest of the group, setting out tools for weapon maintenance. While oiling his axe's handle, he asks conversationally, "How would you all like to divide the watch tonight?"
Having finished his meal, Raulzig has made himself comfortable under a nearby tree, took out his notepad and started making notes, recording his impressions of the first day of the expedition and his newfound comrades for future reference. He is still close enough to the fire to hear the conversations going on there.
Pashaj begins to fill the waterskins with create water.
"I prefer to rest early and greet the morning in meditation."
Hmm. Don't the spellcasters need a full nights sleep or something? We need those water spells. I'll take the watch at midnight.
Suprisingly this is the first comment Calain has made that has lacked any bravado.
Samuel sets up his bedroll quietly in a relatively protected spot. "I'll take the 1st watch. I enjoy the quiet before going to sleep."
"May your dreams bring you learning." Pashaj bows to his new companions before retiring for the night.
Perception () -
Having finished his notes, Raulzig has bid his companions goodnight and took shelter in his cozy bedroll, glad that the watch question seemed to be settled without him this time.
"I suppose that leaves me with the final watch." Urdaan finishes with the cleaning of his ax, and leaves his tools and armor with the rest of his things, though his ax and shield remain within arms reach. Unrolling a bedroll against a tree, he takes a last visual sweep of the area, then closes his eyes and dozes off.
Perception
"I have no issue with making a change to our travel plans."
perception check if needed:
Samuel you are first on watch you see or hear nothing for the first many minutes until you hear Garavel come from his tent and walks a few feet from camp for a smoke"Beautiful night ain't it"he comments not sure if he was talking to you"I have had trouble finding rest these last few days. I fear that the threat at Kelmarane spreads it's reach much further than just the ruined village"Garavel dryly comments before taking another puff. He stands there and watch's the starry night for many minutes until he is disrupted by a loud howl from that of a hyena or another such animal from deeper within the "woods"."It seems we may have company in these woods, wake the others I shan't sleep knowing there's a threat nearby"Garavel barks to you before rushing for his tent.
"Well, I'm sure we'll be able to deal with whatever is causing the problem in the village." Samuel replies to the first few comments quietly. When Garavel gives the order to wake the others, he does so quietly, but quickly.
Garavel storms out of his tent torch in hand and sword at his side "That was a hyena I recognize its cry...where there's hyenas there's Gnolls, be cautious and stay together this could be our first fight...or our last."Garavel seems overly cautious and makes a strong assumption that there is indeed danger ahead.
Pashaj stands quickly but quietly, looking to Samuel and Garavel for some indication of what is going on.
"I am sorry I am being overly cautious though it is best we check it out everyone take a torch and a weapon with you just in case there is...trouble"Garavel says lacking a word for what happened though those who had just awoke probably have no idea what he is talking about.
Pashaj casts light on the tip of his spear ().
Calain is awoken by Garavel and the ensuing activity.
What the Hells? Is it time already? Priest, If you would cast that light spell on my armor, I need both hands to fight.
He grabs an unlit torch and places it through a loop on his belt, should the light spell expire.
Hav'k brings his scorpion with him staying just outside of the light of the torch, using his darkvision to scout ahead. He has his sling in hand.
Perception check:
"Use it well." Pashaj touches Calain's armor and casts light. The glow from his spear fades.