"Forgive my objectivity, but you have still not answered my question. Is there any reason for taking the princess other than ransom? There are innocents in danger all over the world--in danger of dying from hunger, in danger of dying from war, but we can't save them all. And how do we now she is an innocent? I find that the royalty learn early on the things necessary to maintain one's position. And now that were in a dialogue, why was she travelling the countryside in the first place? And what are these hobgoblin creatures? Why would they be interested in her? I'm sorry, but once you get me asking questions, it's hard to stop."
Tristain's face scrunches up as he listens to Todor speak.
Has he lost his wits in his bloodloss?
"While I'd like those questions answered as well, I can't help but think you're missing the big picture, Todor. She's a Princess...she's YOUR Princess. And she's rich, you know?"
Tristain looks at Todor.
"Help us save her. Think of the influence you'll have with her to build something wonderful in Korvosa. You'd pass up an opportunity to get into the Korvosa building coffers?"
Penance observes the exchange silently. All these thigns they spoke of were things that held little concern for him. The woman was in danger, this was true enough but he wanted to see how this played out, adn if they would try t get him involved.
"Help us save her. Think of the influence you'll have with her to build something wonderful in Korvosa. You'd pass up an opportunity to get into the Korvosa building coffers?"
Todor's eyes open wide as his dreams spin wildly in his head. "You do speak some sense, sir. And saving her would be cheaper for the royal family then paying the ransom."
Abadar, you tore me from my family for the church, but returned me to my roots as a builder. You then tore me from the building to heal, but allowed me to see the world and its wonders. You would now tear me away again before I could use what I learned? I thought you stood for order, but I humbly accept I am no theologian who truly understands your ways. Perhaps I should not fight my fate so much.
"Very well. I will gladly assist, but again I warn you that I am but an apprentice in the ways of war."
Todor turns to Penance, "Now here is a man who is obviously familiar with war or at least violence. I believe he was out there assisting us and would likely assist again. What do you say, sir?"
Knowledge Religion - Asmodeus brand
"And how do we know she is an innocent? I find that the royalty learn early on the things necessary to maintain one's position. And now that were in a dialogue, why was she travelling the countryside in the first place? And what are these hobgoblin creatures? Why would they be interested in her? I'm sorry, but once you get me asking questions, it's hard to stop. My teachers said it was my best and worst quality."
Lionel’s voice rises in anger. Don’t you dare insinuate something about Princess Natasha. She is the noblest person I know. He then lowers his voice, as he composes himself and again stares out the window. As for why she was traveling in the countryside, if you must know, it was due to her father, King Eodred. A couple of months ago he fell ill with a strange sickness and with the Year of the Faithless, no priests have been able to cure his malady. The Princess was distraught at her father’s fate and her step-mother’s subsequent activities of attending parties instead of caring for the King. She sought the services of some natural remedies from the tribal folk in the Cinderlands and we were returning home with a possible cure when the ambush took place. I hope the gods keep her safe. As for the hobgoblins, we know they are a militaristic race, well skilled with weapons. I don't know their involvement. I do not think they would be cunning enough to plan this strike on their own.
1d20-1 Does he seem like he's telling the truth?
"...we were returning home with a possible cure when the ambush took place.
"Was that cure hidden somewhere in the caravan so that it might still be recovered from the ambush site or will the princess have it on her person? In regards to when we leave, I will leave that up to the more experienced of you. I am not well suited to the night, but the hobgoblins trail might soon be washed away."
Serry cocks her head as she listens to the others, watching Lionel's reactions. "Well, I may have spent more time on ships than on land, but I'm still Korvosan, and the thought of our Princess in the hands of that lot doesn't sit well with me. And with this storm, I doubt I'll be sailing anywhere soon. I'll help. I've been in a fight or two in my time, though the gentleman with the tattoos over there seems to have better aim than I do. And --" and here she turns to Todor "--I'm no Chosen, but I can back you up when it comes to patching people. Sometimes the waves are kind."
She looks over at Penance. "You were a pretty good shot out there, even in the wind. I'd bet you'd be handy to have on a job like this!"
"Was that cure hidden somewhere in the caravan so that it might still be recovered from the ambush site or will the princess have it on her person? In regards to when we leave, I will leave that up to the more experienced of you. I am not well suited to the night, but the hobgoblins trail might soon be washed away."
No, she kept the vial on her person at all times. The shaman who gave it to her told her it was a longshot that it would even work, but she never gave up hope. She wanted to reach her father as soon as possible with it. We couldn't deny her that so we tried to force march through the night. Stupid..I should have spoken to Captain Rennic, told him her safety was more important. But I kept quiet and Captain Rennic who saw her as his daughter, agreed to her terms. Fools, we are all.... Lionel's voice trails off, as he closes his eyes for a moment.
"So...are we leaving now? If not, I can take first watch."
Tristain straddles his gear, wondering if he'll be tromping the dark after hobgoblins.
HOBGOBLINS!
Penance continues watching the exchange his face not betraying any thought.
Thank you all for volunteering. Well, most of you, anyway. So, do we head out now? Lionel stares at the tattooed man and shrugs his shoulders.
Penance, seeing the others volunteer made his decision. He stood up from his place by the fire and gave Lionel a simple nod of ascent.
Serry shrugs. "Well, it's not the best traveling weather out there, but I suppose we'll lose their trail if we wait till morning. I can help with light, for those of us that don't see in the dark as well as others." She smiles at Tristain as she says that last bit.
Lionel grabs his gear, as he limps over, and says, Let me you show you the ambush site. From there, the trackers can decide whether the trail can be followed. It’s only 15 minutes away. He opens the door and you can tell the worst of the storm is over, though a drizzle still falls on the road. Well, at least the weather has calmed down some. You step outside into the brisk air, the clouds having parted and revealing some moonlight.
You follow Lionel through town and you can tell that all the homes/businesses have their shutters drawn and no one is out in the streets. He leads you out the North road and though he limps, Lionel rushes as fast as possible to reach the site. On the road, you pass a large hill on the side and you are glad the rain has slowed for fear of a mudslide. As you turn the bend, Tristain’s keen eyes pick up the overturned carriage and slaughtered horses 50 feet down the road. We are close.. Lionel says. It was right before the bend. Bolts flew from top of the hill and behind the trees and rocks on the west. It was a perfect choke point that we didn’t catch in time in the dark.
In the aftermath of the ambush site, 6 horses lay dead on the ground, as well as three human soldiers and 5 hobgoblins. All the bodies have been ransacked for valuables and weapons, typical of a hobgoblin squad. Lionel holds back his tears and anger, as he identifies the bodies as those of the protective detail. He looks in the overturned carriage but finds no princess.
Tristain will make is own careful canvas of the area.
Perception
Survival
"Yeah, I don't think orcs did this...orcs always ride single file to hide their numbers. I've heard that only hobgoblins are so precise."
Penance looks around carefully trying to see if the hobgoblins left any intact equipment or anything that might have been missed.
Perception
Todor will take a couple minutes checking the remains of the carriage. He will then go to the hilltop and scan the horizon for any sign of light or movement. It's like taking a turn at the watch except now I'll be the one called on if I spot trouble.
Serry will let those with tracking experience look over the trails, and will instead focus on the general lay of the land, to get a sense for where they might have come from or gone to.
Tristain yells to the group, across the wind and rain.
"I think the trail leads to the west, along this path here...the trail is faint, but I think it's only one to follow. By a loose count, there could be as many as a dozen hobgoblins and prisoners who moved that way on foot."
Tristain looks again at the tracks...I'm unsure yet how far they might be ahead of us or how fast they would be moving.
"Huh. Looks like they took time to lay out their dead before they left. I guess they didn't think they were in any danger. They'll most likely stay off the roads, though; they're too careful to let themselves get caught easily by patrols." As Tristain directs the group's attention to the west, she'll add, "Only place I know of that way is Veldraine, and that's days away and they'd never get in there. They must have some hideout somewhere between here and there, I'd suppose."
Penance shakes head at no one in particular as he finishes his search of the wreck. Then quietly, methodically, and purposefully he begins to gather the bodies of the dead and lay them out next to each other. First one, then another, and with each one he carefully folds their arms together and closes their eyes. He does not stare at them as he did with the hobgoblins and makes no efforts to disturb those bodies. He mutters no prayer and does not even seem to treat them particularly reverentially he merely acts.
"There's a campsite up here on the hill. It looks like they had this planned out well ahead of time."
Seeing Penance gathering the dead, Todor will join him and respect the silence until the bodies are all gathered. When they have all been gathered, "Rest now and be at peace. Surely you are with Abadar even now, enjoying his peace and civilization."
Turning to Tristian, "I think we are done here. The dead will have to wait patiently for a proper burial if we are going to catch up with the princess."
Tristain will help drag bodies around while he waits for the group to move west, tracking the hobgoblins.
The party goes west, following the tracks off the main road. Tristain sees some dropped rations, pieces of clothing caught on bushes, and divots in the ground that reveal to him the way. He considers for a moment that all of this evidence would have been washed away in the rain had they waited for morning.
After an hour, Tristain’s keen eyes and training pick up the trail again and the march continues west, as the party makes its way up the coast, with the beach and the roar of the sea below them and the smell of salt air all around.
Two hours later, wet and cold and tired, Tristain stops, confused where to go. It is nearly 3:00 am and even with his elven sight, the druid has lost the trail in the darkness.
Elric searches his knowledge of the land around them. Perhaps there lies some hidden cove or secluded beach where a ship coould wait to carry the kidnappers away.
Serry will join Elric in trying to make sense of the area.
"Would more light help, Tristain? Or is it just too much worn down by the rain?"
Todor will provide guidance to each of the other party members who appear to have a broader knowledge of the world. "Abadar's patience be with you that it might unlock the knowledge hidden within you."
Todor will look around, but be careful not trample on anything that might disturb the trail. He is well aware of his role as apprentice in regards to hunting down people.
If nothing is seen, "Perhaps it would be best if we camped for the night. Though we are unprepared, a single night in the wilderness shoudn't kill us and we should stay close to the trail. Perhaps it will be easier to follow in the light of day. Or, are we near any towns that might provide lodging or would be a logical destination for the hobgoblins? Perhaps there is some notorious town of scum and villainy nearby?"
"We must be cautious."
Tristain looks around again for anything he has missed, but realizes that waiting for morning might be the best thing.
Perception
Survival
Todor will point out the hidden path. "Tristain, I've been trying to observe what you do and what is of significance, does this look like a hidden trail to you or just some trail made by animals. It looks like it goes down to the beach."
"The beach?" Suddenly Serry's eyes widen. "Oh, wait. There's a place... maybe an hour or two to walk there from here? Down on the shore. There are some caves there, people call them the Devil's Den. Used to be full of smugglers, but every couple of months the guard goes through and sweeps folks out. Wouldn't call it a town, exactly, but certainly 'scum and villainy' applies. If nobody else is using the caves right now, they'd make a pretty good hideout for a bunch of hobgoblins with a prisoner."
Tristain had just put down his pack and was looking for a nice tree for shelter when Todor and Serry combined to ruin his dreams of rest and sleep.
Trudging over to where Todor was pointing, Tristain will confirm what is there.
Crickey. I'm an artist, not a scout, nor a soldier.
"Yep. Let's go."
Tristain goes back, picks up his back and grabs his 'scythe and again takes point in following the trail.
That was close...I came dangerously close to resting for a moment.
Penance follows closely keeping an eye out for danger as best as possible given his inability to see in the dark.
Tristain leads the party along the beach, having caught the trail again, the waves crashing against the shore. After about another hour of traveling, with the party starting to tire, Tristain spots the entrance of a cave along the beach. Visual aid of cave In front, 2 horses are tethered to some rocks. The shadows of a flickering light can be seen coming from inside the cave.
"Horses? We had no horse tracks. There must be other guests therein. I got us here and I'm willing to scout and sneak further, but I'm not sure about next steps."
Tristain looks at Lionel and the Marine as rain drips off his face and nose. "Well, soldiers?"
Lionel looks back, The Princess, she must be in there, so close! I am not trained in the art of stealth, but I can rush in with my sword when needed. Well, as much as anyone with a bad leg can rush in.
You see some of Lionel's bandages are red with blood, as he grits the pain. I am fine is all he says, as he looks out at the cave.
Tristain will nod, then look for a place to disencumber his pack, taking only what he needs.
Tristain will begin to apply dark mud to his exposed skin...not sure if it will help his hiding or not.
What the hell am I doing?
Todor peers toward the cave as his hand grips his hammer tightly. Why am I so eager to rush in and likely have my guts opened up again? Patience. I must remember Abadar's patience. Todor takes deep breaths as he stands there waiting for the world to explode.
Penance readies himself for whatever may come.
"My training allows me to move silently as well. I will take point with my hammer. Tristain, follow me, your keen sight may see what I miss. The rest of you, stay here and make ready whatever spells you might have that can aid us. Once we are ready to strike, I will blow my whistle to call you in."
Elric takes out his signal whistle and fastens it to his sash within easy reach. He then draws his Lucerne hammer and once Tristain is ready and any helpful spells are cast he moves into the cave.
Right before our scouts go ahead, Todor will Bless the party (+1 morale bonus on attack rolls and on saving throws against fear effects).
Tristain will find 3 rocks and cast Magic Stone upon them, stowing them in his front pocket.
Nodding to Elric, Tristain does his best to follow along.
Stealth
Perception
As Elric and Tristain sneak up to the cave, leaving the party some 50' behind, they peer into the cave and see a campfire, with two hobgoblins about 25' in, leaning against a wall and warming themselves with the heat. Behind them, a tunnel leads deeper into the cave. One of the hobgoblins is deep in thought, staring at the embers of the fire. The other, however, though bored is quite alert and spots Elric and Tristain peering around the rim of the cave! Krugash! he yells as he slaps the other hobgoblin on the back.
"Damn." Tristain whispers as the hobgobs see them. "A'ight, let's do this."
Tristain will release the catch on his 'Scythe (the blade springs into place with a pleasing "twang" sound) and prepare to die on his feet.