Belle uses her art of disappearing to get as close as she can without being noticed! It may seem Baggins-with-a-ring magical, but it’s just a matter of small size, tight clothes, bare feet… hobbits are quiet like mice. Or like bears, which are extremely quiet for their size!
Jotun grew up learning the fine art of hunting from an early age, and though he could not disappear entirely, the barding could utilize the land to mask his passing in order to close in with his chosen quarry. The old rider catches Jotun's attention even at a distance, and he moves in to try and glean what he can of the mysterious oldster.
vs TN 15 = Failure!
Waylon will check on the woman with the scarf.
+ (2,6) = 12
Tilly was not as experienced as some of her companions, yet she would what she could to find a good place to hide nearby, watching their movements and listening to conversation for any tidbit of information concerning Dead-eye or any other curious detail. Her eyes glanced at Edoric, but he was a guide and would probably notice her presence, so she would leave him to Belle with her incredible talent for disappearing.
She cast her eyes to the the young man of fifteen summers and she wondered how she knew him.
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He appears to have no close associates. Edoric and Man 1 obey his commands, but he doesn’t welcome their company. He tolerates Woman 1, glares at Man 2, and has little time for the Dwarves, who seem subdued in his presence.
You may now “Dig Deeper” into Mirabar, though this may require more eavesdropping, or sneaking into the caravan camp at night to steal items or ask questions.
You may now “Dig Deeper” into Berelas, though this may require more eavesdropping, or sneaking into the caravan camp at night to steal items or ask questions.
You may now “Dig Deeper” into Eoin, though this may require more eavesdropping, following him into the wild or sneaking into the caravan camp at night to steal items or ask questions.
Hmmm...
Belle reports what she saw. Before ‘disappearing’ for her Day Two stealth mission, she says, “I’ll dig deeper with the old guy and also see what I can glean regarding the man he kept glaring at.”
Once back with her companions, Tilly shared what she had seen,
"The caravan's scout's a born and bred Breelander named Eoin. He's known as an honest fellow. He's been speaking with Edori, the guide, and the woman. If Eoin's not with them, he goes off alone in to the hills or woods. I'd like to learn more because I can't see why he'd be with bad folk."
Tilly wished to dig deeper into Eoin. What was he doing with these people? Why was he going into the hills/woods alone? She would try to follow him as discreetly as possible into the hills/woods, not moving too close behind him and following his tracks when she lost sight of him in the surroundings. Maybe, if she felt safe, and he was alone, she could try talking with Eoin and asking him the questions she had whirling in her head.
Báin will continue to spend his days caring for the bodies and souls of the mounts and the companions.
Belle uses her Art of Disappearing to stay close, eavesdrop, and observe behavior that cause the older man to glare at ‘Man 2.’
She isn’t crazy about stealing stuff, but if one of the men happens to drop something or put something down and walk away (making it plausible the object was misplaced), Belle might snatch the unattended object.
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You also learn that Man 2 is named Hirlinon, and comes from the land of Gondor, far to the South. He seems to be something of a mountebank or carnival barker. His pony is laden down with boxes of medicines, cure-alls, potions, fireworks and other wonders. Hirlinon claims to be Berelas’ brother, but the two look nothing alike. He associates with Edoric, the woman (Berelas) and the youngest Dwarf (Dwarf 4).
You can now “dig deeper” on Hirlinon if you wish. This will require sneaking into the camp at night.
”So beautiful. Yes, you’re an enchantress come from across the mountains to steal my heart, and I would walk from here to the east of east just for one of your smiles, my heart, my queen!”
Do you approach?
Bell reports her finding again, and once again, she sneaks into camp—this time in the night to dig deeper on Hirlinon. What is he doing at night? Lookout duty? Romancing the one woman? Hopefully lookout duty…
Waylon tries to get closer to learn more and see if he can see if there is a reason the woman is wearing a scarf in warm weather.
Eoin was acting peculiarly - speaking to the air as if one would speak to a lover. Had he always been this way? She knew of him, but they had not shared any particular closeness. For now, she wished to continue watching discreetly from a distance, and learning more of the Breelander's heart and motive/s.
Jotun jokes a bit with Bain that evening about the difficulties of sneaking up on unsuspecting Men and Dwarves instead of an unsuspecting stag or partridge. He changes his tactics a bit in the following morning and, feeling that Tilly has the strange oldster firmly in her sights, tries to learn a bit more about the scarred dwarf. Surely there's a story to be told there!
vs TN 15 (Dwarf 2) = Success!
You can now "dig deeper" regarding Vogar, if you wish.
Jotun decides that he will have to learn a bit more about these dwarf brothers. He recognizes that Vig is the one that Belle mentioned is deeply indebted to the caravan master. He speaks briefly to Bain and the others when he returns to camp and advises his dwarven friend that he won't be returning until the following day. He intends to enter the caravan's camp that evening, on the pretext of sharing some food and drink in exchange for good company on a lonely road heading to Bree. He intends to see what is going on that night in the camp, then circle back in the morning to rejoin the others the following morning. If anyone else desires to join him, the barding is agreeable, figuring they could make a cover story - though he suggests that no more than one other join them.
He glances at Tilly after a few moments thought. "We could enter the camp posing as a couple, you have roots in Bree and so our story would have merit, so far as that goes. Maybe you could learn more about that fellow through conversation. I can do the same with the dwarven brothers."
"My friend, a plan worthy of Mahal. I wish you well in it. I will pack you up some of those sausage and cabbage rolls you like."
"Deadeye is dead. I think him snooping around is the most likely reason. Going in like that could be dangerous." Waylon warns with a dark look towards the caravan.
Jotun slaps Bain with easy camaraderie on the dwarf's shoulder as Waylon utters his dark warning. With a grin still on his bronzed face, the barding shrugs. "Ah, but I've got the advantage here. Tilly won't let me get into any trouble if she agrees to come along, and if things go sideways just listen for those owl hoots!"
He turns to Bain with a laugh. "You'll have to teach me those quickly, my friend. Oh hell, just listen for a really loud manly scream and then come running!"
In truth, the barding isn't terribly concerned. Encounters on the road are commonplace, and if things get nasty, then they'll find that Jotun is more than capable of defending himself. He figures Tilly can probably handle herself quite well also. But he strongly doubts it will come to that...
Belle says, “I agree someone in this caravan is a murderer …but I don’t think they’re all in on it. You got one guy glowering at another, another rehearsing his pick-up line. Maybe there’s a right person to approach and he’ll come clean—or she will.
“I can make myself kinda-sorta invisible and snoop first, or just be there as back-up.”
Jotun smiles at the hobbit. "That would be most welcome, Belle. Keep a close eye out from hiding. If we get into trouble, head back and tell the others, though. Don't try and come in for us alone."
Tilly sighed and looked around at her companions and then in the distance where the caravan was situated.
"Jotun, I'm not good at lying. You can ask anyone in Bree; I couldn't trick Eoin with it, if it came down to it." Looking at Waylon who warned them against such a thing, Tilly swallowed and continued, "I think it's dangerous to go into their camp - just the two of us and try to trick them. I'd rather talk to Eoin on his own, when the time's right. I might be able to get through to him. I agree with Belle, there's a murderer among them and we've got to discover which one did poor Deadeye in. Since Belle's an expert on snooping, I'd rather she go in first. Then we'll decide on whether two or more of us go into their camp," giving Jotun an apologetic look. She wasn't a coward - her family'd confirm it - but she wasn't reckless either. Tilly wasn't certain of the success of Jotun's plan and that worried her.
Belle nods. “We bide our time, but let’s think on the premise—this isn’t a caravan of murderers. There’s maybe one murder, maybe some—less than half?—know or suspect.
“So who’s my target? Open to suggestion!”
"The innkeeper said that Deadeye got into a row with a dwarf and Edoric the caravan-master." She tapped her finger against her mouth in thoughtfulness. "The burly dwarf with the scarred face could be the said dwarf. He looks mean enough. So, I think either him or Edoric, Belle."
"Possibly. The dagger was chilled and the woman is dressed strangely for this weather. The argument in the bar may have nothing to do with why Deadeye actually died." Waylon says.
Jotun accepts the group decision with a slight frown, but makes no more of the issue. At least for the moment. When they begin discussion about likely candidates though, he shakes his head at Tilly's suggestion. "I don't think it's the scar-faced dwarf, his name is Vogar. I think there might be something wrong with him, simple-minded or something. He slurs when he speaks and seems barely capable of moving around on his own. His brother Vig has to keep him on track from what I saw."
Belle considers…
“I’m not the only sneak around here. Let’s consider this premise as we snoop on different targets. Maybe Báin can watch the dwarf, and I’ll watch Edoric.”
The barding grins at the hobbit. "I seriously doubt I could sneak nearly as well as you, little one. I'm more of an up front type of fellow. But if my idea of infiltrating the camp openly, if under less-than-truthful circumstances, has been voted down, then I'll certainly do my best." Jotun's smile fades, and his mien becomes serious as he finishes. "Rest assured, I'll be at your side quickly if you find yourself in trouble." He promises.
"I think the woman is the odd one out. But I will grant that I have not found anything that would explain how she had access to that dagger yet." Waylon says as he thinks the argument with the dwarf was not what led to the murder.
Jotun nods at Waylon's advice, considering that perhaps the woman dressed for the cold might indeed be worth observing. He figures to sneak into the camp with an open mind, observing what he can and making any moves based on that. As darkness falls, Jotun rubs dirt into his skin to avoid reflecting any firelight and makes his way toward the merchant campfire...
vs Wits TN 15 Use T-Rune for 'Extra Insight'
Seeing an opportunity, Jotun sidles up to the door and takes a look around inside the wagon...
Jotun looks around in the woman's wagon and spots among her belongings an amulet that looks identical to the one found on Dead-Eye's body. It's a carved raven.
Belle uses her Art of Disappearing, which works so well she apparently can’t see her own feet until after she puts one through a branch that is very crunchy and loud!
Thinking the woman might reappear at any moment, he grabs the amulet and looks for something to write on. If he does, he'll pen a quick note.
If you'd like the amulet back, meet me tomorrow at midnight. A hundred yards north of your campsite. Come alone. I know what happened to Deadeye.
Then he peeks out through the door to see if the coast is clear before slipping back out into the cloaking darkness and to his own camp...
Love it. Okay, back at the camp. Anything you want to do before Day 3?
Jotun shares what he saw, including his impulsive decision to grab the amulet and pen a note to the woman about a meeting. "I know, it might not have been the best idea... but sometimes you have to poke the beehive to stir them up if you want to get to the honey. We could always skip out if you think it's too dangerous and see how she reacts. But I'm betting she knows Deadeye, and that's why the ranger was waiting for the caravan. The only question is, what's the connection exactly? Were they both a part of something fell? Or are they seeking it out to fight against it? If Bungo was truly a good chap, and Deadeye an ally of the hobbit, then maybe this lady is an ally as well? Unless of course she's the one that killed the Ranger."