Sandru smiles at Shiori. I figure it is about another 14 days or so. Hopefully the we do t have another day if such heat.
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Exiel smiles with a hint of envy at Shalelu's words. "I wonder if it is because you had more of a choice than I had when you left your childhood home, or because you worked harder at making Sandpoint your new home. Finding it within one's self to move on...I should think more on that."
"But thank you for coming to talk to me, Shalelu. It was good to have someone to share my burdens with," he says with a genuine smile.
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Day 3
After dinner the next day, Exiel takes a little time off his training routine to seek out Ameiko.
"Hey Ameiko. I was wondering if I could ask you something. I was speaking with Shalelu yesterday, and it made me think about my past a little, and I think understanding your reasons for wanting to embark on this journey might help me find some answers I'm looking for."
"Well...I wanted to ask, why did you decide so urgently to go on this journey? Was it the lure of adventure? Or the promise of treasure? Or was it the promise of discovering a secret concerning your heritage? Well, maybe it was a combination of the above, but which was the most important for you?"
Bump you score by 2 ex! With Shalelu not a gift, but good rp
Day 3
On the third day, Koytine heads out scouting with Shalelu. As they are moving a way ahead of the caravan scouting for brigands or anything threatening, Koytine spots a small pool, almost a grotto, enclosed within a few tall oak trees and up against a hill. A small waterfall drops into the pool creating rainbow effects from the sunlight filtering through the tall trees. Koytine waves Shelelu over.
Want to see something beautiful.
Shelelu comes over and looks. You can see her liking the pool, but then Koytine raises her hand. Wait and watch.
Koytine then speaks a few arcane words. A moment later from the pool springs a fountain of water which slowly cycles through all the colors of the rainbow in random patterns. At the same time, within the fountain appear several small goldfish.
After letting the fountain cycle several times, Koytine smiles and allows the illusion to disappear.
I know it is just an illusion, but nature can be so beautiful. And turning it into living art can be so much fun.
Koytine nods.
True, nothing is as beautiful as nature all on its own.
At the last comment, Koytine smiles:
I cannot say that I have been in many battles. But, the nice thing with illusions is that they are limited only by the creative imagination of the caster. If you have a horde of charging goblins. Then, place a row of thorns or a deep trough in front of them. It might not stop them, but it will give archers such as yourself an additional 5-10 arrows before the little green menaces figure out it is not real, or simply move around it.
Or, I can make it appear that our warriors are charging while the rest of us flee. The uses are endless. It is also amusing to use in taverns. I have on more than one occasion found a nice corner booth and made the wall appear about two feet from where it normally is. As long as I am behind the "wall", I can listen all day to conversations around me with nobody the wiser.
As my powers grow, I believe I will be able to make the illusions create noise and even attack the enemy causing real damage, at least in the mind of the one struck.
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"I'm sorry Ameiko, I didn't mean to bring up old hurts. Though it seems there's been alot of inadvertent revisiting of the past in these last few of days," Exiel says wistfully with a sigh.
Ameiko's face is hard-set and determined as she pronounces the importance of this venture, but Exiel had spent many years hiding his own pain behind just such a gaze, and his familiarity with what had happened in the wake of the goblin attack some years ago allows him to guess at the reason for the the hint of sorrow behind the steel in her eyes.
"You know, you can't blame yourself for what happened. You did all you could for Tsuto, and none tried harder to smooth things between Tsuto and Mr Kaijitsu () than you. It was just that...the 'circumstances' surrounding Tsuto's birth stacked the cards against him from the start, got caught up in Nualia's insanity, and your father got dragged along when the cards fell. Fortune is a fickle mistress, as they say. Things happen that are beyond our control, and all we can do is make the best of the hand we are given."
There is another awkward pause as Exiel struggles to find words that will ease the tension.
"You know, in the time following the incident at the glassworks, I initially thought you would crack or break down. Any normal person would have, and it would have been reasonable and understandable following such tragedy. But YOU didn't. You held it together, and even kept on running the Dragon IN ADDITION TO taking on the responsibility of bringing up Shiori and Gorou. And for all the stupid muscles that Darinius and I have, you've shown that you're stronger than the both of us put together, because of how you pulled things together. You're strong, Ameiko. I firmly believe that. And I respect how much you cherish your heritage and your family - in fact, I see that as one of the greatest reasons for your strength."
"More than I did, anyway," he thinks to himself.
Exiel pauses as he realises that the conversation had gotten a little more personal than he had initially intended.
"I just wanted you to know that, having heard your reason, I believe in the purpose of this journey. I believe your reasons for starting this are important and precious, and I believe that you have the strength to see it through. And I hope that in coming along I will be able to learn from that strength. I'm sure many of the others feel that same way. Shiori, for certain. Just...remember that we're behind you, and we believe in you," Exiel concludes with a warm smile.
"That's all I wanted to say"
"I'm not the only one who has suffered loss, and I'm not the only one fighting past hurts. And Torag has led me to a fine example of one who has found the strength to accept the past and push on. So I won't let the past drag me down either. I'll keep pushing onward."
After the day is over Mary finds herself looking for a quiet conversation with Koya. Finding her free Mary asks or a moment of her time. Koya, I was wondering if I could have a quick word with you. It is nothing too big but I wanted to ask your opinion on something. A few nights ago I was talking to Sandru he said something to me that got me thinking. I want to ask him about it but don't want to offend him. I mentioned that someday I would like to have a caravan of my own. He responded by saying that it is a foolish idea and I would do better doing something else. Do you only why he would say such a thing considering he owns his own caravan?
Probably because it is a terribly hard life, and he, himself has found himself almost destitute on multiple occasions. I suspect if you ask him about it he will tell you.
Koya replies as she putters about her wagon.
sigh
Day 4
The odd weather continues as it rains all day, that night Sandru gathers everyone together.
So far all of you have done good work, and earned your keep. Well except for the dummy abuser there. he smiles at Exiel But we are short food every day, somehow. I am not accusing anyone of you, but I want everyone to keep an eye out.
Day three
"Fourteen days?" Shiori questions, looking dejected, "How do you keep your mind occupied for so long on the road?"
Day four
"We're short food? Well, we didn't bring Gorou, so perhaps we have a stowaway?" Shiori suggests, knowing that if they had brought her brother that he would likely have eaten everything by now.
Mary looks perplexed as she has brought in food each day. The way she figured it with 2 of them scouting and having Ameiko cook that should reduce their food usage down to 8 units a day. 4 days in should have resulted in 32 units or just over 3 stores that they purchased in Sandpoint. Have animals gotten into the stores while we are holding tight for the night? I have not noticed anything while out scouting for food these last few days. Here is a brace of young rabbits i caught today. it doesnt make up for what. Re losing but it is something. Have the rest of you noticed anything? Either that or we have someone following us and sneaking into the camp to steal food. We might have to set a watch to guard the supplies.
Turning to Sandru, Do we have enough supplies to make it to the next town and restock there?
Mary sits in contemplation as she hears Koya's reasoning for Sandru's words. Finally she stands up and thanks Koya for her time. Thank you for the time and wisdom Koya. I will do as you suggest and talk to him directly about it. I just didn't want to offend him if it was a sore subject for him. I heard that he doesn't talk about his past much, such as his time with Ameiko, and Wasnt sure if this was later to that or not. Have a nice night Koya and sleep well.
14 days is nothing Shiori. Maybe we keep going and go all the way to Absalom, or Qadira? Imagine how long that might take. The exciting thing is to see new places, meet new people. You will see. Well maybe, I suspect we won't see many folks between here and the ruins, but you get the idea!
DAY 4
Perhaps somehow we left something behind...I just don't understand. Sandru replies to Shiori and Mary It is the darndest thing. If Gorou was here I might have assumed he was sneaking food as well, I suspect as long as a couple of you manage to bring some food in we will be alright. Well lets all just keep an eye out. Sandru frowns a bit.
Sneaking food...? Sandru's complaint seems strangely familiar. You know what...the same thing happened when we were in the swamp and oρκίζομαι στο γενιά του μου if she left us with that little... He intersperses some choice Draconic in his sentence.
We should probably be on the lookout for a baby goblin He looks pointedly at those who thought that trying to adopt a goblin was a good idea. Exiel I'm looking at you.
Before anyone notices, Shiori has her daggers out. "If anyone wants to keep the little bugger now, they better hope I don't find it first." She looks at Exiel as well when she says this, adding "Goblins don't stay cute for very long, they age too fast."
Mary hears what they are saying and has a flashback to her injury when she was younger at the hands of goblins. She stands up with Shiori. I will help you look for this stowaway. I agree it may be 'harmless' now but a caravan is not the time or place to try and raise a cretin such as this. Besides its is already posing a problem to us with our supplies.
Perception check unless strongly persuaded otherwise
Mary and others search but they do not find anything. Goblin or otherwise.
with everyone taking 20 no one finds a goblin anywhere.
Day 5
Another pleasant day of travel, though the weather still is not being cooperative, the whole day is overcast and drizzly.
The overcast sky was fine by Mary as her mood was foul as well. The thought that someone was pilfering supplies weighed heavy on her mind. It was going to be something that kept her preoccupied until she could figure it out. To that end she went about her morning searching as quickly as she could for food to bring back to the caravan. It didn't have to be elaborate food but something tht would help make the supplies last longer. Her thoughts in a whirl Mary almost missed the telltale signs of edible tubers growing in the ground. Digging up a sack full as quick as she could she made her way back to the caravan. Once there she put the tubers away and then proceeded to keep watch on the supply wagon the rest of the day. Not the most stealthy of people she did what she could to work it in her advantage requiring her to remove her armor and buckler and most of her pack. Then she travelled along keeping an eye peeled as best as she could for the thief..
Perhaps if she could catch the thief the group would accept her as she has not had much interaction with them other than the lady who could change her shape and look by thought. Further more she could prove to Sandru that she was a valued member of the party. That would give her the opportunity to speak with him about his comments from before without making it seemed forced.
Stealth check
Perception for thief
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The light rain makes it difficult for Exiel to set up his dummies, so he spends the evening under a makeshift awning at one of the carriages, finding himself a place by the brightest lantern he can find to pore over one of the martial arts manuals he'd brought along on this trip.
After about an hour of reading, Exiel sees some movement out of the corner of his eye. He looks up from his manual to see Sandru hustling in from the rain. The caravan owner's hands and knees are muddied and Exiel guesses that he must have been checking up on or attending to the caravan in general.
They exchange brief nods and polite grins as Sandru turns to stick his hands out under the awning to wash his hands in the rain. An awkward silence between them, till finally Exiel decides to put his book away.
"Hey Sandru. Terrible weather today, huh. What've you been up to?"
Mary will pull her dagger and slip quietly closer to determine exactly what it is that she is seeing. If it is a goblin, Mary will attack it as it has already posed a problem to the safety of the group by raiding their supplies. If it is a baby then it would be a mercy to end it now as it has no others of its kind and no one claimed it last night when Shiori or Mary spoke up about killing it.
Stealth
Perception
Attack if needed for
Shiori spends much of the 5th day on guard. She doesn't actively go searching for the culprit who is taking their food, but instead gives the others a chance to find the bugger first. However, as the night comes, Shiori does begin looking for the creature near the food.
However, Shiori makes so much noise that it may in fact seem like she herself is trying to get a late night snack.
Day 4 or 5
Deciding that perhaps this stowaway is not a super intelligent creature, Koytine decides to use a test.
As everyone is bedding down for the night, she casts a spell which creates what appears to be a crate just outside of the supply wagon. The crate appears to be filled with dried meat and vegetables, good tasty foodstuff just waiting to be pilfered.
She then relaxes and concentrates on the simple illusion to see if it attracts the thief.
Cast Silent Image
--> I will recast and/or use Veil Points to maintain it if necessary. I do not think there is a rule on how long one can concentrate on a spell, but this should be a fairly simple illusion.
Bluff(pretending to be asleep):
If she sees any movement near the illusion, she will cast Color Spray to stun/disable the culprit.
Exiel make me a perception check
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"Well, with all this rain, I can't find a decent spot to set up my training dummies, so I decided to review my books instead. Speaking of which...I do appreciate that you're allowing me to tag along for now without helping much around the caravan for the time being. I was considering how I could make it up to you, and was thinking that since I have some skill at talking and negotiating with people, perhaps I could assist in negotiating sales prices or finding out local supply and demand when next this caravan arrives at a trading location. What do you think?"
You wake up the next morning with something small and warm curled up in your bedroll, snoring softly
Confounded by the noise she made Mary dejectedly abandons the attempt for the night but vows to try again tomorrow. With her attempt failed and the night still early enough to talk she heads over to the fire to see what everyone else is doing. Before she can make it there though she sees Shiori snooping around. Limping up to her, she stops a few paces away as to not startle her. After catching her eye Mary smiles, No luck either with the thief? By the way the name is Mary. What's yours? I didn't have much time to talk to you earlier before we left as I had to hurry to make sure that I had everything with me and want to rectify that now by getting to know the people I am traveling with. So what do you do when not chasing down thieves or catching goblins? Not that I mind you doing either of those activities and would assist you if possible. Nasty goblins are the reason I have this limp anyways.
Foregoing talking to Sandru tonight as Mary did not have much success and no concrete evidence yet. She wants to make an impact and without anything defeats the purpose of proving herself useful for the caravan other than bringing in some food each day.
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"Heh, whatever you say, Sandru," Exiel returns by way of banter. "But seriously though, let me know what I can do when the time comes. I'm at your disposal."
Exiel nearly jumps out of his bedroll, completely freaked out by the discovery!
"What the...what on earth? What is this!?"
Darinius peeks out of his own sleeping roll as Exiel shouts. Is that what I think it is...
As exiel leaps up a tiny goblin head sticks out of the bedroll, with a doll in its mouth. The doll drops out and it says no kill. You friend.. Sense motive of 1 to know it is terrified from something. It picks it's doll back up and scurries and hugs Exiels leg.
"Shiori, Shiori Kaijitsu, I'm Ameiko's little sister, and as such I spend a great deal of my time in her shadow." Shiori says, introducing herself to the halfling. "I have my own reasons for detesting goblins, I'm sure you at least know partly why that is." She says looking away.
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"Alright, little one, come with me. Your fate is not mine alone to determine."
The next day, Exiel comes knocking on the door of Sandru's carriage with his scrounged-up bedroll in his arms.
"Sandru? Hey Mr Boss-of-the-Caravan? We have a problem here requiring your executive decision. I believe I've found our stow-away."
what is it? Sandru asks a bit grumpily.
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Jk
Exiel opens the box and find it filled w various things colored rocks, string, a few marbles, some ribbon, a mw dagger, 3 vials with colorful liquid, a wand, some candy, a handful of silver and copper coins, and a folded piece of paper