"Tamris is not the only one who keeps wolves. Your friend Grogan here-"
Numalar turns to stare daggers at the man only to find the man is gone.
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"Tamris is not the only one who keeps wolves. Your friend Grogan here-"Numalar turns to stare daggers at the man only to find the man is gone.
Numalar starts for a moment, and looks around, wondering where Grogan has gotten off to.
He continues talking to Renault but periodically his eyes wander, looking for the hunter.
Celyne already stepped forward, so simply introduces herself from where she is. "I am Celyne Nightstorme of Everholme, and this is Luna, my dear friend and companion, as are these others who have introduced themselves already. You asked for introductions, now you have them... As for the bounty, I will contribute to reestablish it if necessary if you'd just drop it for now til we can find Tamris and get to the bottom of the events that have occurred here. I think you have enough pledges of bounty that it will be significantly higher than the original if it needs to be restarted." She smiles and runs her fingers through Luna's fur as she introduces her...
Zokon also looks for Grogan "Grogan may be off after Fan, I'm going to go try find them"
"Darn I can't find any tracks, i'll have to try find Fan"
Zokon will take of in the direction he assumes Fan is going, where he saw Alia and such come from as they were helping him escape?
Alia holsters her Estoc...trying to move the quiver slightly so the feathering of the arrows is not prominently visible to people who may or may not have accidently(or not) been hit by one of hers.
Dexterity Check(basically would be sleight of hand which is trained only)]1d20+3
Bluff(in combination with above if dexterity alone is not sufficient]1d20+2
Zokon ponders his earlier insights on Alia
Posh will run up to Scarlet, Alia and Fan to make sure they're safe.
"Of course, Introductions."
Numalar doffs his hat and makes a deep bow.
"I am Numalar Auritonius of Valdralee, once a retainer of House Garess, recently chartered along with my companions here, as an explorer here in the Stolen Lands by the Swordlords of Restov."
There's a little gasp from the crowd at the mention of the Swordlords.
"Master Renault, we know full well you put up the bounty; we were at your meeting, though we did not get the chance to talk then. But you did so at the behest of another man, and you were not a witness to the incident that brought the complaint."
"I did so because there was a seemingly dangerous beast stalking about our farms. Regardless, what does any of this have to do with your charter? And what I wonder has this charter to do with us? Everyone living in this valley came here to get away from Brevoy. We've toiled and bled for this land, and now you come with a piece of paper to what? Take it away?"
Scarlet almost rolls her eyes when Renault talks about the charter. Of all the times to bring it up...
"Hey. They're trying to make this a better place for everyone. That includes Tamris, whose companion sought out a friend. We're going to check it out, make sure Tamris is alright and Rain isn't gong to bother you guys again. Wasn't that the point of the bounty in the first place?"
While everyone else argues about who owns what, she turns to Fan to address more important matters.
"Hey Fan. While they're working this out, we need to figure out where Rain went. Also we need to figure out where to go next."
When Renault speaks up, a slight smile plays on Alias lips, but is quickly gone again.
They are not willing to bow to Brevoy. These people may welcome help that guarantees their sovereignity, for a formal declaration of fealthy. The elders were right.
"Scarlet is right. The more time we spend arguing idly, the longer it will take to resolve this. I'm sure the two of you can work out the details regarding Brevoy or that charter once we return...there's more important things to do, now. I'll fetch the horses."
Unless held, Alia would go fetch Vega and the horses...
Zokon whispers his reading of the crowd to any close enough and asks them to pass it on
"Our charter does not say we are to take anything away from any of you, we are exploring and removing vicious beasts and gangs of bandits, we have defeated two such groups of bandits so far."
"We need to find Rain and fast. Can I hitch a ride with one of you?"
"Yeah, Fan. You can use my horse. If Zokon's right, we need to get out of here, anyway."
Scarlet tries to find some kind of tracks and figure out Rain's general direction.
"Besides, I think Rain will find us when we get out of here."
"Of course, Introductions."
Numalar doffs his hat and makes a deep bow.
"I am Numalar Auritonius of Valdralee, once a retainer of House Garess, recently chartered along with my companions here, as an explorer here in the Stolen Lands by the Swordlords of Restov."
There's a little gasp from the crowd at the mention of the Swordlords.
"Master Renault, we know full well you put up the bounty; we were at your meeting, though we did not get the chance to talk then. But you did so at the behest of another man, and you were not a witness to the incident that brought the complaint.""I did so because there was a seemingly dangerous beast stalking about our farms. Regardless, what does any of this have to do with your charter? And what I wonder has this charter to do with us? Everyone living in this valley came here to get away from Brevoy. We've toiled and bled for this land, and now you come with a piece of paper to what? Take it away?"
** spoiler omitted **
Posh puts up his hands towards the crowd.
"The charter has nothing to do with taking your lands or touching anything of yours that you have worked so hard and sacrificed so much to live here." he attempts to keep the crowd calm "All it allows us is to deal with the bandit problem and keep these lands safe. We have all met as strangers, but I have learnt to trust them. They have nothing but the best intentions for you all. I only wish I could be as honest with myself as they are with all of you. That includes you, Master Renault." Posh decides to add gravity to this statement by bowing on one knee towards Renault.
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"The charter has nothing to do with taking your lands or touching anything of yours that you have worked so hard and sacrificed so much to live here."
"No one here has any designs on your property or your freedom, Master Renault, and we will have no part of such a thing if the Swordlords were to ask. Their desire to eliminate the bandit problem in this region indicates a desire for safety, not only for them but for all who dwell here. The bandit Kressle has already danced at the end of a noose thanks to us."
"Our charter is not related to this wolf, except that these events take place in lands we are expected to chart. But this affair is related to the lives of our friends, and we will not let them meet an ill fate if there is something we can do to help."
"But now, we really need to get going, Master Renault. We believe there is some urgency here, and a delay might prove disastrous. We will, of course, inform you of the results of our errand."
Numalar gets back on Sir Didymus and prepares to ride off.
"Agreed. Our most pressing concern is finding this wolf--alive if possible. Like you lot Grogan and his two cronies are outsiders who have never struck me as particularly savory."
There's a general murmur of agreement from the locals.
Posh looks directly at Fan
"I guess you didn't trust Scarlet or any of us enough to tell us about this?" Posh sighs though and shakes his head "I'm sure you've had your reasons and I'm the last person to judge you for not being open, but let us find this friend of yours. I can't promise if any of my spells will help much, but if I manage to slip it up with my grease spell it'll be easier to subdue."
"Tell about what?" Scarlet seems genuinely confused. "Not his fault Tamris went missin'."
Oh boy. What is Posh hinting at here? Fan, what's going on?
Zokon mounts up and seems impatient to get going
"Which way?"
Fan turns angrily away from Posh to Zokon in sudden disbelief. "How would I know? I thought you were the ranger!"
"Whereas I do have some measure of woodcraft my true expertise lays in dealing death to my enemies"
With that said Zokon will try and figure where rain? Went
Celyne looks around with a helpless shrug...
"I wasn't really watching, but I THINK he went *that* way." she says...
Alia looks around, trying to get her bearings: "Fan, is this direction Rain vanished into per chance towards some meeting place you and Tamris used in the past? If Rain was intelligent enough to track you here, he may also be smart enough to lay low at a familiar place where you could find him-"
Valorin's party rides off.
Alia looks around, trying to get her bearings: "Fan, is this direction Rain vanished into per chance towards some meeting place you and Tamris used in the past? If Rain was intelligent enough to track you here, he may also be smart enough to lay low at a familiar place where you could find him-"
"No. Not that I know of. I don't even think Rain's ever been out of the woods."
Zokon says to his friends
"Not sure of the significance but Renault conferred with hunters and then Valorins party left"
"Ah, just when I was enjoying the festival." Scarlet stares at where she last saw (and leaned against) Rain, trying to make sense of where the wolf went. "Now they think we're Oppressors from the Big City."
"As far as Renault is concerned, a pair of wolves just ran into a crowded festival and one of them escaped thanks to meddlin' outsiders. The hunt is still on, as far as he's concerned."
"Guys. Follow me. I think I'm onto somethin'."
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After collecting your horses, Scarlet leads the way following the tracks and the blood off into the nearby hills.
The trail eventually leads to a dark cave entrance.
"In here? You certain? Nevermind that, I trust you. Before we step in, could you take a look at other tracks? If somebody else came here before us, be it that brute or that noble, we may have to hurry."
Alia casts Light on a piece of string held in her left hand, drawing the Estoc with the right and advancing after the trackers and rangers give the clear sign. "Left or right?"
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Alia casts Light on a piece of string held in her left hand
"Well, this looks promising."
Numalar edges ahead, still astride Sir Didymus. He looks around the cavern suspiciously.
He turns around and looks back at Fan.
"Alright, Mister Auric, Rain seems to have led us here, so Tamris is likely within. But before we enter, I want you to be forthcoming. What can you tell us about this Tamris? You have told us very little and we wish to know what we are getting into. Is he human, or some other race? Is he a magician? Or a warrior? Or both? Tell us as much as you can. Even knowledge that you might think is insignificant might turn out to be quite helpful."
Alia casts Light on a piece of string held in her left hand
Pestered again Fan fairly explodes. "Woman I've been telling you all the the truth! What exactly do you think I've been lying about?"
This causes a bit of a scene before Renault shoots everyone a glare as terrible as barbed cold iron darts.
Alia ignored Fan. Completely, ever since his outburst. She is utterly convinced he is hiding SOMETHING, and unwilling to put up with his attitude any more.
Oh, I was just passing through and got attacked by those kobolds.
Oh, my friend went missing, I have NO idea what could have happened.
Oh, I just got up extra early after being attacked and travelled alone risking my life so I could make an extra silver or two.
Oh, my friends Wolf suddenly appears at that festival and I have no idea why.
No way he's telling us everything. Should have just shot the wolf instead of the brute, be done with it.
As dark thoughts enter her mind while riding, some meowing from behind pulls her back into reality.
You are right, Vega. I can't allow myself to think like that. It's hardly the wolves fault this guy is an a**hole., shooting an evil glance in Fan's direction, she rides on towards whoever takes point/falls behind towards whomever brings up the rear to be as far away as possible from him.
"Hmmm... Sources of light out please, I have standard vision, so if there's anyone who can see better in the dark and wants to enter first please do, otherwise i'll use a sunrod"
If no one responds Zokon will take out a sunrod and activate it and hold it in his buckler hand, he'll then draw his Rapier and step into the cave sneaky like.
going right
"Careful, I don't know how he might react." Fan turns to the gnomes. "Do either of you know the beast speach?"
Maybe you should take the front center, go ahead, since the beast knows you!, Alia thinks, and holds back saying it in the last moment.
And if he takes point, he'll be torn to shreds by something else in these caves, and I'll never forgive myself for causing it to be so. As my grandfather told me..Better a few days of bitterness than a lifetime of regret....better just put up with him.
Alia steps forward, taking one look at the left side of the cave before joining Zokon.
"Hey Fan, relax. You seem to be on edge recently. We'll find Tamris and Rain, don't worry about that."
Scarlet either hasn't noticed or hasn't cared about the secrecy about Fan and Tamris. Suspicion always leads to distrust. Scarlet thinks. I can't afford that. Not anymore.
"I can go ahead, Zokon. It turns to all black n' white once we're outside of light, but I can see alright."
"Then again, I've never been a good spotter...Hey, where's everyone going? We should stick together."
Zokon can already hear the low warning growl from around the corner of cave wall.
Round 1
The Bold May Act!
__________________
__The Party!
__The Wolf
Zokon steps across near the wall and away from the entry to allow others in
He sets himself to total defense in case he is attacked