Fener cautiously follows Thorgrim with Rudy at his side.
Looking for tracks again or any other unusual signs around the wagon.
Gezzo suspiciously looks across the river from his perch next to Sirena on the wagon.
I will help.
He hops down and walks to Thorgrim, looking out for danger and whispering a quick spell.
Flug stays where he is on their wagon, silent.
Hoping down from the wagon, Argyros readies his sword, following about 20' behind Thorgrim and Fenir.
I don't like the looks of this. Fords are all too often the ambush points of choice for bandits .... another other, fouler things.
"The driver and his beasts could have been washed downstream." Nästród says. He gets on the ground carefully, minding his lame leg. He pulls out his axe and scans for signs of the missing driver and animals.
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On the Wagon: Those of you staying with the wagon watch the others proceed down the slope toward the ford. You see Sirena continue to stand, and she pulls her longbow out and readies an arrow.
Approaching the Ford: As you get closer to the wagon, you perceive several things:
What you see: The wagon was obviously traveling in the direction you came from, as the front with the hitch is pointed in your direction. It is a freight wagon, similar to the one you have been riding on. It appears that some of the cargo it was carrying was offloaded, as there are several wood boxes about 50 feet downstream that have been opened and tipped over. There are still some contents in the back of the wagon.
What you hear: The sound of the running stream masks most sounds.
What you smell: As you get close, you can detect the smell of rotting flesh.
Stay alert, someone check those boxes I search the wagon searching for the source of the smell.
Gezzo leaps up on a nearby rock to give him a little more height. He has his sword drawn and he is scanning the area.
It smells of death. Go Thorgrim, be thorough in your search, I will watch your back.
I will search the boxes.
Fener and Rudy cautiously make there way along the edge of the stream to the boxes.
I climb down from the wagon and head down the slope toward the other wagon, keeping close watch on my surroundings. I climb up into the wagon at the opposite end that Thorgrim entered and assist him in his search of the contents.
Perception:
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The smell of death gets stronger the closer you get to the wagon. The source is evident when you look around the rear, as a body lies in the mud and water, halfway under the wagon bed. There is no sign of the horse that pulled the wagon, although its harness and collar are lying in a pile about 25 feet behind the wagon.
Individual findings:
Thorgrim: You observe that the body behind the wagon has been there for some time, and that it was stripped of belongings before being dumped there. It appears to be male, probably somewhat young in age, although it is hard to tell what race, as it also appears that animals have fed on the carcass. A Heal skill check might tell more concerning cause and time of death, and other details.
Fener and Rudy: The wooden boxes appear to have been purposely carried to their current location, and their contents were dumped into the stream. Even though little of the contents are left, you are able to determine that the boxes contained plant and animal remnants - skins, leaves, herbs, etc. There are several sets of tracks going to and from the wagon, and they all appear to be wearing boots. There is also a set of horse tracks that wander farther down the bank of the stream.
Imowen climbs into the back of the wagon (taking care not to step on the body) and observes that what remains on board are several items:
- A large wooden box with the lid pried open
- A sealed 30 gallon wooden barrel with a spigot
- A large chest with a hasp lock
- A large cloth bag with a shoulder strap and handle
- A small metal box, which is barely glimpsed as it is under the driver's seat
Gezzo wades around the wagon, looking for any more clues to explain origin or reason of the event and pauses to examine the body.
I grab the small metal box and open it, pocketing the contents. I attempt to pick the lock on the large chest, and if successful, open it and check out the contents.
Disable device (small box):
Disable device (large chest):
Flug, remaining on the wagon, follows Sirena's lead and takes out his crossbow.
Nästród limps over and checks out the condition of the wagon.
"Bandits?" he asks out loud.
If it was bandits, why'd they leave the lock boxes? And I'd check for traps on those boxes before you open them, Imowen. You never know what extents someone will go to keep things secret.
We will know for sure what's in those boxes when Imowen opens them, but my guess is at hired raiders, bandits would be more thorough, but mercs might easily miss something like this. Someone might want to isolate this area, stopping trade would be the first step for that.
I follow the horse tracks down stream, while making sure I stay within sight of the others.
Fener & Rudy "assist" Thorgrim with the tracking.
If you would stop dragging that Battleaxe on the ground we might have a better chance at this....
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Seeing that there is no combat occurring, Sirena brings your wagon downhill toward the ford, stopping about 50 feet away. She hops off the wagon and joins you, but still has her bow ready. We might have to hitch our horse to that wagon in order to pull it out of the stream so that it is not blocking the trail.
Imowen fiddles with the small box for a minute, inserting various gadgets. In short order the box is unlocked. She reaches in and pockets something.
She tries the spigot on the wood barrel, and sees that it contains water. Peering into the wooden box with the lid pried off, she finds a saddle and bridle for a horse, as well as a grooming kit.
Next, Imowen turns her attention to the large chest. After a few seconds the lock on the hasp pops open. She takes the lock from the hasp and opens the chest lid, peeking inside.
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Thorgrim and Fener follow the horse tracks downstream, and Fener's keen eyes spot the animal grazing in an open area about 100 feet up the rise from the stream. It appears to be in good health, not having any visible wounds or maladies. It is not wearing any equipment. It raises its head and looks at you as you approach.
I am amazed at the contents of the chest! I gently shake his arm and wait for a response. While I consider this peculiar turn of events, I examine the large cloth bag and open it to see what is inside.
Perception:
Diplomacy:
Flug remains on the wagon, keeping a lookout from the higher ground. He seems to have nothing to contribute to the conversation.
Fener tries to approach and calm the the Horse.
Fastening a makeshift halter from rope in his pack he will lead the horse back.
Handle Animal
Standing on the bank of the stream, Argyros surveys the situation.
I'll give you a hand hitching the horse to that wagon Sirena. The sooner we can clear this, the safer I will feel.
Gezzo looks up at Imowen on the wagon.
You find anything?
Nästród looks around for any sign of trouble.
"Can I help with anything?" He asks.
Yes, Gezzo, and I need some help. There is a young boy child in the large chest. He is alive but in need of immediate healing! There's also a big bag of clothes for him.
I hand the cloth bag out to Gezzo, and go back and gently lift the lad out of the straw and carry him to the back of the wagon.
Gezzo jumps up on the wagon and looks at the boy in Imowen's arms. He assess his condition, mumbles a few words quietly to himself and gently slaps the boys face.
Wake up now, boy. What has happened to you?
Nästród's limping gait makes little dragging patterns in the mud as he comes over.
"I foresee you getting better," he says to the boy, as he places his hand on him.
Oh, thank you so much, Gezzo and Nästród! You have saved his life!
Here is some water for you, I say to the boy as I uncork my waterskin and put it to his mouth. Drink slowly in small sips. Too much too fast will make you sick. That's the way. What is your name?
"Nobody is going to hurt you," Nästród says, "I promise. My name is Nästród. This is Imowen and Gezzo. We'd like to help you find your father."
Boy tell us, who is your father and why were you on the run?
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Cayden: Papa has a store. He wakes me up in the night and puts me on the wagon, then has me get in the box...tells me, "Don't make a sound, no matter what!" I lay in the box, and then I feel wagon is moving...but very soon, it is moving really fast! Then it stops, and I hear people shouting. I stays quiet like Papa told me. After awhile it gets quiet. I tries to get out of box, but can't get lid open. Don't know how long I is in there...nothing to do but sleep and get hungry and thirsty. More water please, and I is very hungry!
Sirena sees Fener and Thorgrim leading the horse toward the rest of the party. This is certainly a stroke of good luck. Now we have another horse, and it can be used to pull the second wagon. Does anyone here have the skill it takes to drive a wagon? Fener, you seem to have made it your friend, perhaps you should be the one to control the animal.
Flug continues to stand guard from atop their own wagon, his crossbow out and looking at the surroundings.
Sirena, I will drive this second wagon. I am more comfortable with creatures less domestic but in this case I see the need.
Fener pointing at the horse In time, I may be able to get our friends side of the story, at the moment he doesn't seem to want to talk
Fener makes his way to the body now assumed to be the boys father and tries to determine cause of death.
Heal
perception
Gezzo turns from the boy, as others attend to his needs. He searches through the various items for any indication of why the wagon was attacked or more information of the boy's father.
What was your father's name?
I carefully place Cayden on the front seat of his wagon and give him the waterskin.
Stay right here while I go to the other wagon and get you something to eat.
I go quickly to our wagon and retrieve the rest of the bread and cheese from breakfast and take it back and give it to Cayden after I climb up on the wagon and sit down beside him.
Here ya go, Cayden, have some bread and cheese.
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Cayden glances at Gezzo, a frown on his face. What you mean what was Papa's name? Did he change his name? His name is Modoq Tasqaril. Everybody knows him, he buys animal and plant stuff, then takes it to be sold in Kuturka. Always brings me candy from Kuturka when he gets back. Where is Papa?
Sirena lifts Cayden from the wagon seat, firmly takes his hand, and proceeds uphill to the other wagon. Let's finish your food at our supply wagon, Cayden. That way, you can eat as much as you like. I'm sure your Papa is somewhere, we'll try to find him. She looks over her shoulder while leading Cayden away: Hitch up the other wagon, and...quietly get rid of the "other thing."
Fener is able to re-equip the horse with the harness and collar found on the ground, and hitch it to the wagon sitting in the ford. As the horse begins pulling the wagon forward, what little of the man's body remains in the water is quickly washed away and soon disappears downstream.
A little while later both wagons are lined up and ready to resume traveling. Cayden sits with Sirena on the seat of the lead wagon, and Fener is ready to guide the second wagon.
"Everybody check the banks for tracks. Maybe we can determine which way they went." Nästród says loud enough for everyone to hear.
I'm afraid I'm not a skilled woodsman. Tracking the bandits that did this several days after the fact is beyond what little skill I do have.
We should concentrate on finding out if the lad has any surviving kin in the village ahead. That is far more important for now than revenge. He'll have time enough for that later.
Gezzo keeps his eyes open for any signs of tracks or anything else that might be a danger.
We could take him to the local Temple of Septimus. It appears his father may hold some sort of position. They may know what to do with the boy.
I believe it is time we moved on before it gets much later. I think we should return this child to his village. Fighting creatures the like of which we saw last night is our duty, but becomes far more complicated while having a child in our care. Returning this child to safety should now be our primary mission. We can take up the hunt later.
"Agreed. Let's take him to the Temple of Septimus," Nästród says.
He limps over to the boy. He smiles up at him.
"We'll take you to your church while we search for your dad, Cayden. Does that sound good?" Nästród says trying to sound as positive as possible.
I dread to tell him that he might be an orphan like I was, he thinks.