Squirm lingers a while with Kelpa, sharing a little food with the man and gently dropping questions of the overseer and the ruling of Arbil.
Squirm sits clumsily, and not quite naturally, on the floor at the foot of the couch; listening intently to the overseer.
"Kobolds are not creatures prone to chatting of deeds of good will. They may react... poorly to our presence. Forgive my direction sir but this journey may come at a high cost for us, a cost that may need compensating for."
The Dromite lets his words hang in the air.
Aidan overhears a couple of things from others' chatting with the locals.
In the room he takes place in the corner of the couch.
"Kobolds? They don't usually eager to communicate with other races. What's different with those you're talking about? Why are they trading with you?"
Kazushi listens closely to Mosephi, a little worried and a little surprised that she supposedly has an important role to play. On realising that the injured Ophiduan is the renowned prophet Zorotaer, she says:-
"This is Zorotaer? I can try to restore him to health if I may Overseer."
"I see no reason why we can't go talk to these kobolds. Of course, for the part about getting the ore flowing again, that may require some compensation indeed Squirm! How about it sir? What's it worth to you to get the ore flowing again?"
Yes, no reason not to visit them, agrees Aidan. "How long ago have the shipments stopped?"
"This is Zorotaer? I can try to restore him to health if I may Overseer."
Moesphi looks over. "What a generous offer, but we have very skilled healers in Arbil. Your concern is duly noted though." with that Moesphi offers a reptilian grin in the guards direction.
that may require some compensation indeed Squirm! How about it sir? What's it worth to you to get the ore flowing again?"
"I see. Of course I shall endeavour to help you out some. But Arbil in not a rich town and I fear that much of our city's coffers will be spent on rebuilding what was destroyed in the earthquake and to administer first aid to our populace. I can offer you all 200 gold pieces for supplies for your mission, and a portion of the proceeds should Vensnak resume its shipment of ore. How does that sound?"
"How long ago have the shipments stopped?"
Moesphi looks dejected. "It has been three weeks. The last time this happened was thirty years ago, just after the founding of Arbil. We were told that the kobolds had to find new veins of ore. I pray that is the case once again, though I fear the worst." the ophiduan casts a worried look.
"That does sound fair enough to me if you mean 200 gold for each of us right? But I must ask sir, what is this 'worst' that you fear? The more information we have, the better we will be able to deal with the situation after all. And please feel free to share any other information about this situation, regardless of how trivial it may seem. One never knows what little morsel of information, may be the key to solving the entire dilemma."
Mosephi looks at Christaph. "Again, I cannot see anything in the Flow that relates to the koblods, or Vensnak, so this is all supposition. Vensnak is made up of only kobolds, mayhaps a plague has ravaged their numbers. They also have a racial history of being ostracized by the Ophid Protectorate. Perhaps they have been invaded. Who knows?" he shrugs. "They could even have mined too deep and found an unconquerable enemy." "Honestly, I would share any additional information I had with you, as it only serves to increase the likelihood of your success." he ends with a reptilian smile.
"We are prophesised to avert the end of the future, just as the possibility of prophecy is coming to an end. I think we should endeavor to make the most of ourselves and undertake the trip to Vensnak as you ask Mosephi. There is no future in a future without a future. What say you my comrades?"
"I say we visit Vensnak and see what's wrong."
"Yes, let's see what we can find out."
Squirm attempts to surreptitiously cast Empathy in the room
"We will try to do as you have asked sir. Good luck with your home."
Without waiting for a reply squirm heads out of the door.
Mosephi looks at caravan guards. "I am so happy that you all decided to help us in our time of need. It speaks to your character. Zorotaer truly was correct in naming you all savior to Arbil.
"The route to Vensnak is a well traveled road. Take the main trade road out of Arbil to the north. For a few miles you will travel the countryside on the outskirts of the Hirauu Forest. The road then cuts northwest into the forest and will lead you directly to Vensnak.
"I wish you all well. May your journey bring success." The ophiduan seer shakes each of your hands and personally thanks you.
"We will do our best to restore trade, establish what is behind recent events and put a stop to whatever is interfering with seer's abilities Overseer. Thank you for your trust." Kazushi shakes his hand then leaves following Squirm.
Neils finally speaks up when they leave, having been silent during most of the meeting.
"Alright, so what are we doing?"
"We head for Vensnak I guess. We have previously traveled with a caravan, but we won't be now. So we will have to purchase and carry everything we need to get to Vensnak and back. I believe it is a day or two's journey to Vensnak, along a road through forest mostly. We want tents and food of course. Perhaps a mule. The market?"
The groups find Squirm just outside the room stood on a windowsill watching the streets outside.
"Back on the road then eh. Very well, best get going.
Then Kazushi speaks up
"Oh yes, you are quite right Miss Kasishi. Mr Neils can hardly be expected to pull a wagon for me, I shall buy a tent for him to carry."
Squirm offers the big man an unreadable grin.
"Surely we don't need individual tents do we? Surely some of us can share? Or even sleep out in the open and only share a tent if we have inclement weather?"
"I'd prefer a tent. Nature kind of freaks me out."
"A pair of two person tents should be fine, or a four person tent. Sleeping out is fine unless it rains, when it is kind of horrid. What of the idea of a donkey or mule? It is hardly going to cost a fortune. I like to be optimistic, and if we somehow come by treasure or loot, we will be able to carry it. I will buy one if people think it is a good idea, there is a case for two. Maybe we could get a couple more waterskins each, anyone got other suggestions."
"I don't think I'm responsible enough to keep a pet."
"A donkey or mule, even two of them sounds reasonable to me, though we will then also need to be sure there is food for them. Whether they just forage in the grass on the side of the road, or do we buy something to carry with us? Extra water-skins also seems wise, besides food of course."
Whether they just forage in the grass on the side of the road, or do we buy something to carry with us? Extra water-skins also seems wise, besides food of course."
"What say we purchase a pair of donkeys or mules, pack saddles, three two man tents, five wineskins and enough trail rations for five for four days. I still have five days rations from long ago, and I suspect others do too. Having a bit spare won't hurt. Then we can split the cost. Sound OK?"
"That's about everything we might need. But I don't think we need to split the cost, since it's not that big a sum. I'll pay - it'll be more convenient."
Waterskins are 1 GP. Trail Rations are 5 SP/ day.
Squirm nods sagely during the discussion, looking up from face to face.
"Wise words one and all. Wise and cunning words."
The dromite drifts from the group and eventually manages to loose them, when it returns it has company.
Squirm is accompanied by four stout men sweating as they haul the light wagon he is standing upon.
"Thank you gentlemen I can take it from here. My turn to be generous!"
"That seems to be all," says Aidan after acquiring everything else they needed. "Should we move out?"
"I'll ride in the back!" shouts Neils as he hops into the wagon.
"let's be off then!
After a few false starts the wagon finally begins to roll forwards. Squirm looks around at the others, a sheepish grin on its face.
"Thank you for paying for the horse and tents Aidan." says Kazushi with typical politeness as the group move out.
Kazushi takes up position at the front of the wagon, prepared to assist with the horse if needed. She does not seem at all irritated by Squirm's continual talk, offering the odd contribution to the conversation, or monologue, in those brief moments Squirm is not speaking.
Fully prepared for their expedition to Vensnak, the caravan guards make their way through the Marketplace once again as they head to the North Gate. Rubble still lines the stalls as teams of residents continue the clear up process. Sadness can be seen on all the faces of Arbil, whether they have lost material possession in the quake, or more profoundly, a loved one, they all look to move forward in their lives.
As the caravan guards pass, a murmur grows. Citizens stop what they are doing to turn and look at the prophesied saviors of Arbil. "I thought they'd be taller momma." a young child tells her parents. "Not a single Ophiduan. Back in my day ..." comes an older ophiduan racist comment. "... have to do the best we can." they hear a young ophiduan woman teller her husband.
Exiting Arbil to an overcast day, there is a chill in the air as the grey clouds gather and darken. It seems that rain is likely.
The path is wide and well worn. Few travelers are making their way to Arbil, and only a handful are exiting. They tend to have carts piled high with possessions. "Going to try and start again over. Best of luck to you all." comes the cry from atop the wagon.
The monotony of travel sets in as a light rain begins to fall. For a long stretch of time, the caravan guards are alone on the trail until ...
A throaty chuckle comes from around the bend, and as you clear a small outcropping of trees you see an older ophidian being held down by a burly grey-skinned humanoids, orc. The orc, and four others like him, enjoy the man’s plight, and you can see they already have two slaughtered pigs on the ground beside them.
"Keep walking if you know what is good fer ya." yells one of the orcs.
Kazushi whispers "I can do nothing from here, I will follow."
Kazushi delays her action.
Sighing Aidan summons his panoply of blades and throws a sword into the closest brigand.
"Can't they see that we're not some simple travelers?"
The mindblades of Aidan fly through the air and lodge squarely in the orc's shoulder. The momentum of the blade spins the orc in a half circle before be rights himself. All the orcs growl in anger.
Squirm stands as tall as he can at the front of the wagon
"Sirs, we are in bad habits when it comes to knowing what is best for us."
Before it can continue Aidan's sword flies out and strikes
"Like that"
Clearly not heeding their warning, the orcs as a force move forward and form a defensive wall, gripping their hammer. Except for a lone orc who stays behind. He raises his axe high in the air, ready to chop off the farmer's head.
Squirm slips from the wagon and heads into the undergrowth to the side of the track
Neils leaps out of the wagon and immediately starts running towards the Orcs. He draws a vial out of his belt pouch and heaves it as hard as he can at the orc and the farmer, hoping to buy the man a little time. He also remembered an offhanded comment that he had heard years ago about Orcs disliking light and he hoped now it was true.
Kazushi moves after Niels to take up a position behind vegetation, not far from Aidan. If an orc moves within range, she is prepared to attack.
Christaph moves up next to Kazushi and manifests Entangling Debris to try to stop the orcs from moving.
'Move to move 30 ft'
Squirm scrambles ahead to get a more advantageous position, while Kazushi readies for the orc horde to press forward.
Neils decides to take the offensive and chucks a fungal stun vial at the farmer. It explodes on top of him bathing four of the five orcs in light.
The Green and Red Orc walk around befuddled while the Orange Orc drops his axe.
Not to be outdone, Christaph, encourages the vegetation to grow around the orcs hampering their movement.
Try as they might, the blue and red orcs are Entangled in the underbrush.
Roll on the following table at the beginning of each confused subject’s turn each round to see what the subject does in that round.
d% Behavior
01–25 Act normally.
26–50 Do nothing but babble incoherently.
51–75 Deal 1d8 points of damage + Str modifier to self with item in hand.
76–100 Attack nearest creature (for this purpose, a familiar counts as part of the subject’s self).
A confused creature who can’t carry out the indicated action does nothing but babble incoherently. Attackers are not at any special advantage when attacking a confused creature. Any confused creature who is attacked automatically attacks its attackers on its next turn, as long as it is still confused when its turn comes. Note that a confused creature will not make attacks of opportunity against anything that it is not already devoted to attacking (either because of its most recent action or because it has just been attacked).
Attackers receive a +4 bonus on attack rolls to perform combat maneuvers against a stunned opponent.
Blue, Green, Orange, Red, Yellow Reflex vs DC 15: 5d20 ⇒ (12, 16, 18, 8, 14)
Try as they might, the blue and red orcs are Entangled in the underbrush.
Aidan rushes forward, hurling a heavy narrow blade into the orc he already hit.