Once everyone was aboard, the Dwarf turned the wagon to the South-Southeast, and headed in that direction. "So, while we're not being shot at, I think introductions might be in order. I am Dara Shadeshard, acquisition specialist."
The masked men raises his shoulder as he looks at the dwarf
"also I belive if there is an heir, real or not, that it is probably a young child. Children have a habit of having good senses of empathy and natural morality.... until the world beats it out of them.
Isaac exhaled deeply. Grabbing the bodies and dragging them off the side of the wagon, if the masked man had made a motion or hand gesture Isaac didn't see it.
"My name is Isaac... I owe these men some respect. Our actions are not in a vacuum. They ripple outward. One of these men may have children, a child might swear revenge, who kills another and the chain continues."
Isaac dragged the bodies to the side of the road and lined them up. No time for a burial. He searched their bodies for names, and hid 10 gold pieces on each, hopefully in places a scavenger wouldn't think to look for, but a loved one would. He then took a gold coin and placed it over each eye and said a quick prayer to whatever god each of the men probably worshiped.
Then he had to run to catch up.
Once the wagon is underway with the dwarf riding it, the masked men will take the 2 bodies and will dump them on the side in a hiding place not to be seen on the road.
Once the wagon is underway with the dwarf riding it, the masked men will take the 2 bodies and will dump them on the side in a hiding place not to be seen on the road.
About 2 hrs before sundown you reach the secondary trail, you know from previous experience that there is an abandoned hovel about 1 hr west of your current location.
Ooc, I am not trying to shut down the conversation as you can still talk on the road, but also keep the story somewhat moving.
As the wagon gets on the secondary trail. the masked men will signal for a break.
As he steps down from the wagon he lightly taps the thigh of the dwarf.
He will then point to her then to the horses.
After that we will also check the condition and the horseshoes of all of them meanwhile the dwarf does the same.
Once that is done will take her at the front of the wagon and points his lance in a direction.
Upon hearing her acknowledgment, he will then motion her to keep following him as he goes back a little bit on the path the wagon just took.
he will go into a crouching position posting the the tracks left by the wagon. motioning her to take a closer look at them.
about a minute or two passes while both of them examine the tracks.
Dara headed back to the wagon and steered it west. Turning to the other she said, "There is a place west of here we can take to wagon. Beast will remain back to cover our tracks."
Elven
"As I stated earlier I am Hominim. I hail from a village NE of here. This heir provides a possibility for peace. Overthrowing these invaders is reward enough."
"If we overthrow the invaders through bloody strife then what happens next? Other nations will see that we are vulnerable and descend. The invaders we kill will have survivors, they will surly seek revenge. For every enemy you kill you will make two more."
"I agree a true heir on the throne would be good, and if you missed my name its Elrith. Pleased to meet you all" bowing
If any of you bothered to study history you might know the name "Korthin".
"If we overthrow the invaders through bloody strife then what happens next? Other nations will see that we are vulnerable and descend. The invaders we kill will have survivors, they will surly seek revenge. For every enemy you kill you will make two more."
"Death is inevitable, as is the blowing winds and the rain. Life will move ever onward. I am armed and ready to defend myself. I do stand ready to keep myself alive through it all. I will say an overthrow by way of the people would be far more satisfying, and preferred. I do not possess the innate ability to change the minds of others as some do () but I will do what I can."
"I have seen groups assemble, most fail, others self destruct. In-fighting is the most common element. Those not in power covet it. It is the way of the shorter lived races as a short life makes such power fleeting. A common enemy for the rabble and commoners to assemble against. We could exploit that."
Dara searched her mind for the name Korthin, but nothing seemed to pop out at her.
After hearing Himonim's speech, Dara couldn't help but comment, "Well, Bowstring, aren't you a cheery one."
"I have lived enough to know life is chaos, and mortals struggle to create order from the chaos. It is what we strive for, to have peace in this world, but one must always be ready for war."
Taliesin will take his time to erase all the tracks made by the wagon going to its appointed destination, taking all the hours needed to do this right (taking 20 on survival is possible)
I am Joroth Korthin, know that I am not interested in assisting Pathad out of the goodness of my heart. If any of you bothered to study history you might know the name "Korthin".
"I have herd the name, though stories can tend to change and become quite outlandish as they get passed from ear to ear."
Then Isaac listened to Himonim thoughtfully.
"Himonim, You may not believe me but I do understand your point of view, and a few years ago I would have shared it. I craved justice, and didn't let anyone stand in my way. In the end justice was served but the cost was too much, life moved on but the victims didn't, stuck in the pain inflicted and doomed to perpetuate it in their anger."
Issac stopped for a moment and quickly looked around.
"And that anger is almost impossible to get rid of..."
Dara thought back to her former companion, Iza, which in turn made her think of Droth. Droth, how I miss you, my love, she thought to herself. Snapping back to the present, the Dwarf asked, "So, what exactly do the rest of you do?"
"Me? I am skilled kin the healing arts, one of the favored of Canda."
"Ah Canda, if I believed in the gods that's the one I'd follow."
"As for me, I simply speak the words that the universe was waiting to hear and it bends for me. Some days more so then others. In fact I-..."
Isaac spotted something moving in the bushes. Without hesitating his arm reached out, fingers tensing, uttered a word. Electricity arched out from his hand and thundered into the bushes.
Isaac had been too sloppy and the electricity arched the side, harmlessly hitting the ground. A cat with red and orange fur jumped out of the bush and ran off.
"damn... I knew it was following me again." He brushed off his shirt and sighed. "I'll catch it next time"
"Whatever you say there, Sparky. Whatever you say." Dara said after witnessing the 'display of prowess'.
after about an hour of travel you arrive at the hovel. It is in center of a clearing that is about 100ft in diameter. To the east of the hovel their is a small vegetable garden that looks rather well tended. You see that there is smoke coming out of the chimney.
Perception
Looking for anything out of the ordinary, possible ambush, etc.
Hominim jumps from the back of the wagon then proceeds to follow on foot acting as a moving guard. He stays behind the wagon as best he can while using it to shield him from sight.
Elven
About 2 hrs before sundown you reach the secondary trail, you know from previous experience that there is an abandoned hovel about 1 hr west of your current location.
"There appear to be no living beings around, and no noise from within. The tended garden is suspicious, and whoever is here is likely asleep or quiet. Tread cautiously."
Himonim will move to point with his bow up, and wait for the others to act, hoping they aren't noisy. Noise discipline is important.
Ready action to fire the bow at an ID'd hostile.
Dara pulls the reins to stop the wagon a little ways from the garden, then took out her shortbow, notched an arrow, and took up a position 30' from the Himonim's right. Quietly, she approached the hovel, listening carefully.
Elrith takes a look around, letting the stealthy ones move forward.
Hominim motions to Dara that he is moving toward the house, and for her to scan both sides while he moves.
With an attempt at stealth Hominim moves toward the house, ready action as stated. If possible move to the portion of the building facing the group, and watch the area to the left that's currently not covered (Dara stated watching the right).
@Himonim probably about 20ft into the clearing, so about 30ft from the hovel.
Isaac called forth the same spell he had used earlier. The small spells never really went away, they cooled like a hot ember waiting to reignite a fire. The spells energy flourished again, this time reaching out to Dara. A whisper floating through the wind going directly into her ear.
"Dara, this is Isaac. I'm watching from back here. You can whisper and I will hear it. If you get into trouble or need a distraction let me know. Also if you spot someone please give me a chance to try my method. I have ways of disabling their weapons and the weaker minds."
Isaac was nimble, but not as skilled at sneaking. Rather then following and possibly ruining Dara's approach Isaac began making his way around the Hovel.
Looking around for the source of the voice, Dara spotted Isaac. "That's a neat trick, Sparky, will do." She continues to keep an I out.
The door to the hovel opens and a man in his 40s exits the hovel. he looks around and sees your group. "Welcome, I am father Loran, a priest of Turgan. I have tea brewing inside, come."
As I am the closest, I hold the bow up for a moment, then slowly lower it. I check the inside of the hovel (take 20 on perception check, so 21, takes one minute), and when clear, "It's clear".
Elven-
I then step the the side of the door and watch the other way.
Hearing its clear, Elrith hops off the cart and goes in.
"Greetings Loran, I am Elrith. I hope the day finds you well.
"good morrow, Elrith. Would you care for some tea and perhaps to hear about Turgan, the one true divine?"
Isaac popped out of his hiding place and walked to the hovel. Arms comfortably at his side but looking around curiously. Once he made eye contact with the man in the hovel he waved to him, attempting to draw any attention away from the dwarf in hiding.
"What luck. I myself have a great interest in religion and have yet to choose one myself. Can you tell me more about this Turgan? I am not familiar with him."
"200 years ago Turgan was a tribal chieftain in one of the northern forest tribes. But he had a vision, one of a land united under one benevolent ruler. So he set out to make his dream a reality and over the next 15 years he pacified the northern lands uniting the tribes under his leadership and crushing those who opposed peace through unity. He drove the orc raiders back into the undil wastes, cleared the forests of their goblin tribes and provided villagers withpprotection from gnoll sea reavers. And while his kingdom thrived, Turgan was destined to be more than a great king and 15 years after his quest began he ascended, becoming a god, and better able to watch over his flock. His general's and advisers gathered together and declared that within the kingdom, Turgan would be the only god worshipped.
Within the kingdom of Rand, all is peaceful as Turgan's inquisitors hunt evil within, his Paladins hunt evil without, while it is up to poor souls like me to spread the word of the benevolent Turgan before the arrival of his blessed kingdom, which will expand until its peace encompasses the whole land.