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Denge will quickly walk over to the where Scythes are located, swing a couple, find one to his liking and nod approvingly.
Denge then walks or to Penelope who is looking over the falcata, the falchion and the greatsword.
"My dear what ever are you doing? These weapons are far too much for one as you. You would be better off picking a more practical weapon. Something like this Rapier or short sword or perhaps a dagger?"
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”Denge, after what happened this afternoon… I can’t …I won’t just stand by.”
”I have to be prepared. I have to be ready to defend myself, to defend you. To kill or be killed.”
”I just don’t know which one would be most effective at killing goblins and such.”
Denge and Penelope go back and forth. If others is the party come up to look at the three swords Penelope is pondering, Denge will waive them forward and ask them to choose any weapon of their liking.
Penelope will not protest if another party member takes one of the three she is considering.
"Hpmh."
Upon hearing Denge's dismissive tone, Penelope will include in her perusal the double bladed sword. She picks it up awkwardly pretending to expertly examine it's blades.
After a moment the weight of the weapon shifts in her hands and she drops it on the ground.
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"I say, this is incredibly generous of you, Mr. Gribb," responds Professor Bellerophon. He reviews the selection, realizing that he is very very NOT knowledgeable in such things. But then he spots the sword cane.
"Why, lady Penelope, look at this. A beautiful cane, perfect for a scholar and academically-minded individual such as me. And it hides a blade, for those unfortunate and rare instances where I must defend myself."
He admires it and slips it into his belt, testing it out.
"I shall take this one, Mr. Gribb. My thanks."
"I say, this is incredibly generous of you, Mr. Gribb...."I shall take this one, Mr. Gribb. My thanks."
Mr. Gribb frowns doubtfully. "You're welcome, I suppose," he mumbles.
Mr. Gribb is from Ridonport, on the Jagged Saw, the proverbial poor step-sister of Cassomir. By his accent, he has no formal schooling and likely comes from the lowest class. However, he uses idioms from across Taldor, including many from Yanmass, so it is likely that he spent quite a bit of time travelling across Taldor by barge or by caravan.
Albern has been jumping up and down with excitement, hardly able to contain his excitement at the prospect of getting such a wonderful new gift. The others having finally selected he rushes up and spends a good fifteen minutes trying out different blade, clucking his tongue has he puzzles out between heft and balance. He finally settles on a bardiche, twirling the polearm gleefully in a wide circle and then lunging in at some imaginary giant.
"I love it! This is almost but not quite the best present ever!" He slings the polearm and shouts! Completely oblivious to propriety, he runs up to give Mr. Gribb a hug, likely lifting the poor man off his feet Overfilled with enthusiasm, he'll then hug embrace Bray, Penelope, the dogs, the horses and so forth, dancing lightly inbetween each target.
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"I love it! This is almost but not quite the best present ever!" He slings the polearm and shouts! Completely oblivious to propriety, he runs up to give Mr. Gribb a hug, likely lifting the poor man off his feet Overfilled with enthusiasm, he'll then hug embrace Bray, Penelope, the dogs, the horses and so forth, dancing lightly inbetween each target.
Mr. Gribb gingerly permits the hug and mumbles something to himself.
Bray starts setting out bowls of stew, apples, and pieces of bread baked this morning at Father Dumpkins'. He gestures to a rock by the side of the road and calls over to the strange figure in the woods across the canal.
"Hey, you helped us with the goblins, come join us for lunch!"
He looks at Rafaelis and Brethon, "You two'd better pick before he gets over here. He might want what you want."
Brethon guides Rafaelis over to the wagons. "You first. I have my club. I really don't need anything else."
Penelope looks at the double bladed sword at her feet, looks darkly at Denge picks up of the double bladed sword and walks away.
"This one looks good. Um, yes, very good balance. I'll take this one."
She says as she walks away with the double bladed sword, holding awkwardly in two hands and clutched under one arm pit. Sits down on a log close to party having lunch, but refuses food.
[dice=Perception]1d20
"Er I already have see..." Rafaelis holds up the dagger. He turns to face "Brethon, now is not the time to be modest. Pick something you either can use or something that is good enough to trade. You earned it. You were very brave back there."
Brethon looks through the weapons. He picks out a dagger just like the one Rafaelis picked. He then turns and hands it to Rafaelis. "I can't thank you enough for teaching me about my magic and for bringing me along on this trip. I really can't use another weapon. Please, take this as a token of my thanks."
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Rafaelis blushes, looking at the ground he says, "It's too princely a gift... I really couldn't...you should hold onto it. There may be times when that club of yours may not be as useful to you as you may think ... and you should have a backup. Besides I get to read and copy from your book, learn a great many things about woodcraft, and the company is nice.
"I'll have to start teaching you woodcraft then!" Brethon says, tucking the dagger in his belt and smiling broadly.
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Walking towards Brays beckoning’s, Bear’f begins to speak.
Sorry, I missed. It’s been awhile since I last had any practice. I’m Bear’f, a hunter. Looking annoying towards his bow, and shaking his head embarrassingly.
Bear’f is dressed in the traditional trapping of a hunter. I’ve not had company for a long while, can I break bread with you all? The rations I have remaining and the local squirrel around here are starting to taste the same.
On the path from Maheto to Belhaim, Taldor - Wealday, 1 Gozaran, 4715 A.R.
After a brief lunch, the caravan gets moving again. The afternoon passes uneventfully. Brethon points out some of the more common trees to Rafaelis as the caravan moves through the Verduran Forest along the towpath.
Late that afternoon, as dusk approaches, Tark pulls his wagon off onto a siding that looks like it has been used as a camp many times. Bray pulls his wagon off of the towpath, too. He and Tark water, feed, and brush down the mules. Afterwards, the halflings make dinner for everyone.
Mr. Gribb seems to be doing well. He is quiet and seems tired, but he emerges from the wagon and sits by the the fire pit. He doesn't help with any preparations, but he does occasionally issue an instruction about gathering firewood or fetching water.
After the meal, while you are sitting around a campfire built in the firepit, two people come walking down the towpath. In the darkness, it is difficult to make out many details, but they are about the size of elves, half-elves, or tall and thin humans. One is slightly taller than the other.
They approach from the direction in which the caravan has been heading, but stop short of the firelight. The taller one calls out in Taldan, "Hail, we were attacked by goblins on the towpath. May we join you?" The voice is a bit high-pitched to be a human male, but might be elven or half-elven.
Both figures are armed. The taller one has two short scabbards on its belt. The shorter one has a mace. Each figure has a sack slung over its shoulder.
distance, no darkvision
distance, no darkvision
distance, no darkvision
distance, no darkvision
distance, no darkvision
distance, no darkvision
distance, no darkvision
distance, scent, no darkvision
distance, darkvision
distance, darkvision
Penelope and Bear'f each see a tarnished silver symbol depicting a rat sitting on water before the setting sun, which is hanging around the shorter figure's neck.
As the strange hunter approaches, the halfling driver urges him on. "Certainly! Thank you for the help! We've got bread baked at Father Dumpkin's this morning! Oh, and do pick a weapon. Mr. Gribb said everyone who helped gets one!"
"It's nice to meet you, Bear'f! I'm Bray Burrowfoot, one of the caravan's drivers." He points to the other halfling, "That's Tark Toughtoe, the other driver." He then points to Mr. Gribb. "That there is Silas Gribb, the master of this caravan."
Bray then points to the gnome and then the large, bearish human. "Those are our passengers, Albern Fee and Brethon. Do you know him?"
Finally, the halfling gestures at Denge, Penelope, Professor Bellerophon, and Rafaelis. "And those are our caravan guards, Denge Fevor, Penelope Waystrider, Professor Taldus Bellerophon, and Rafaelis Reeves. They did a pretty good job just now. A pretty good job indeed." Seeing Rafaelis and Professor Bellerophon crouched over the goblin corpses, Bray quickly looks away.
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After the gristly work with the goblins are finished and his scream therapy completed Rafael's will approach Bear'f. "Greetings to you good sir, thank you for your assistance back there. My name is Rafaelis Reeves." He gives a slight bow. "If you desire a more varied diet perhaps you might consider applying to our caravan master, Mr Gribb here, for a job as caravan guard? We can stand to have a someone who can track and scout. Besides there are rumors that the goblins are working with an Ettin in this region; one should not be going about these woods by oneself at this time."
"Hello Master Bear'f, I'm Albern! I'm a sailor, boomrafter, aspiring boatswain, swabby, fish-road walker, and windjammer. Uh, I mean, not right now, but usually. These fine folk are helping me get back home so I can get back to pushing logs down the Sellen. Nice to meet you!" He gives a firmer handshake then one would expect from a gnome.
"Oh! And these are Geb and Nex, who are hanging out with Master Rafaelis. I mean, that's not what they call themselves; they call themselves "Arf" and "Arf". Now that I think about it, that must get confusing." The gnome sits down and considers his latest revelation.
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Caravan duty, you say Rafaelis… Are you expecting trouble? The thought of a varied fayre seems to sway the sylphs doubts… Thank you Rafaelis, I’ll speak to this Mr. Gribb, I sure I can be of assistance…
What a cute pair of hounds… Bear’f approaches the dogs with warmth and an outstretched hand to stroke and pamper them both… If only I had such close devoted companions as you have here…
Albern Fee, nice to meet you and my you are a proud fellow… Your handshake belies your strength…
Where is the caravan heading? You see… I’m planning on trying to investigate the Druidic presence of the area… I could do both…
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Rafaelis ponders a moment "The primary druidic influence in these parts is that of the Wildwood Lodge which seems to follow the tenets of the Green Faith. We go to the town of Belhaim. Living in that area is a local representative of the Wildwood Lodge named Amzar Kell. You could have speech with him. We were interested in having from him news of the hazards of the road from Belhaim to the gnome town of Wispil, which is the second leg of this caravan's journey. That way lies through the Verduran Forrest. By treaty the druids of the Wildwood Lodge are charged with maintaining the road."
he stops and thinks a moment more "My companions here could tell you more, but the Verduran Forrest is perhaps then largest remaining forrest in all of Avistan. he waves his hand at the woods around him. "This is but the merest outskirts. It is a wild, fey, place where the law of survival reigns supreme. So I hear."
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"Wispil is wonderful! I recommend a journey there. Um, you might want to duck though. We only have a few buildings built for giants." Albern breaks in at the mention of his home.
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During the evening encounter with the two shadowy figures in the dark.
"Come forward into the light where we may see you as well as you do us if you would be friends. For our part, we are clearly not brigands, so you need not fear attack from us, nor love we goblins either. Prudence being a virtue I practice when meeting strangers on an eve in the eves of a wild, wild wood, I would know more of them before giving a sacred pledge of hospitality, which an invitation would be.
Rafaelis looks to his dogs to see how they are reacting.
I’ll pick the sickle, if I may?
Bray replies, "Of course! Please, it's yours." Bray then closes up the wagon's side ports, everyone haven chosen.
Mr Gribb… I’m currently without employ and offer my services…
Mr. Gribb nods. "Pay is ten pieces of gold to the Verduran Fork and another 25gp if you stay on to Wispil. Welcome aboard."
During the evening encounter with the two shadowy figures in the dark.
"Come forward into the light where we may see you as well as you do us if you would be friends. For our part, we are clearly not brigands, so you need not fear attack from us, nor love we goblins either. Prudence being a virtue I practice when meeting strangers on an eve in the eves of a wild, wild wood, I would know more of them before giving a sacred pledge of hospitality, which an invitation would be.
Rafaelis looks to his dogs to see how they are reacting.
The two figures step forward into the dim illumination at the edge of the firelight. They both have black hair and angular features and appear to be tall, very thin humans. The taller one who has spoken is male. The shorter one is female. Although they look enough alike that they may be siblings, the woman is a true beauty, whereas the man is somewhat homely.
The shorter one speaks for the first time, "Of course. My name is Adula. This is my brother, Hanull. We were travelling from Belhaim to Maheto. Then goblins attacked. There is protection in numbers. We're hoping we can stay with you tonight." She spreads her open hands in a universal sign of peace.
"I see one of your dogs is wounded. Let me help."
A pale, silvery glow suddenly illuminates her. It then flashes out, enveloping her brother, then all of you. You feel the brief rush of comfort that accompanies magical healing. Then the light fades.
"I'm sorry, I used all of my spells today, but I had that channel left." From the folds of her cloak she pulls a tarnished silver holy symbol depicting a rat walking on water before the setting sun.
"We hold to the River Freedoms. Do you?"
Say What You Will, I Live Free
Oathbreakers Die
Walk Any Road, Float Any River
Courts Are For Kings
Slavery is an Abomination
You Have What You Hold
If you pass the check, you may read more about the Six River Freedoms under the link above.
Mr. Gribb snorts. "You're full of dung, but amusing. He's as much your brother as I am. Keep your counsel. You're right, there is proptection in numbers, and we could use the company of a healer. Join us." He gestures at a rock near the fire. The two move closer and sit down.
Bray looks at Tark, who shrugs. Bray sets to dishing out some leftovers for the couple. The man takes out a hip flask, takes a swig, and offers it to Mr. Gribb, who also takes a drink. Mr. Gribb then offers it around. Tark shakes his head. Bray says, "No, thank you."
May I ask what you are offering?
"Just applejack, I'm afraid."
While reaching in to his own backpack for a bottle of his own...
Ustalavic Brandy from Ascanor Lodge, anyone?
The man looks tempted, then accepts the proffered brandy. "Thank you," he says. He takes a polite drink. "That's much better than applejack. Thank you very much." He then hands the brandy back.
"Ustalav? That's pretty far from here. Are you headed back there?"
Albern whistles appreciatively and speaks in a musical language (too metered by far to be gnomish)
Albern whistles appreciatively and speaks in a musical language (too metered by far to be gnomish)
Hanull and Adula look at Albern quizzically. "What did you say?" Hanull asks. "I'm afraid we only speak Taldane."
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Rafaelis declines the flask, "Thank you Hanull, but no, I prefer to keep my wits about me." He turns to Adula and says pointing with his chin towards her holy symbol, then his dog , "I thank you for your assistance." pauses weighing his words and then continues
"I know not of these 'River Freedoms' you speak for I am a stranger in these lands. I do know that as one travels further into the more populated areas of Taldor, certain faiths are best kept under wraps if one wishes to remain free." he speaks to the company in general using simple matter of fact tones "Nor would I advise anyone to go a'traipsing with either of these two alone along a canal on this or any other evening. I do not wish to offend, just inform. My opinion is that there many a felon be one may meet along a road or in a town where the world would be a bit better for lack of them."
he leans back and puts his hands behind his head, "So tell us your news of the road and goblin travails? I can tell you that on the morrow there will be six less goblins for you to fear on the road to Maheto with a fine inn awaiting you at the end of your day. The inn is run by his brother and his two sons. he points to Brethon with his chin They are goodly folk. Please treat them as such."
Albern smiles innocently, waiting for Master Reeves to finish before shyly answering Hanull's question. "I was only asking if you spoke the wild tongue, uh, Sylvan. I've met folks that like you and speak it. It's very nice to speak it, you get to sssssay your ess's like a snake and say your u's like an owl going who-who! It's so much more fun then Taldane to speak!" He sits down to await their answer to Rafaelis.
Albern smiles innocently, waiting for Master Reeves to finish before shyly answering Hanull's question. "I was only asking if you spoke the wild tongue, uh, Sylvan. I've met folks that like you and speak it. It's very nice to speak it, you get to sssssay your ess's like a snake and say your u's like an owl going who-who! It's so much more fun then Taldane to speak!" He sits down to await their answer to Rafaelis.
Albern's clumsy attempts at friendship seem to succeed despite his gaffes. The travelers gladly eat the stew proffered by Bray. Adula is talkative. Hanull is fairly quiet.
"So tell us your news of the road and goblin travails? I can tell you that on the morrow there will be six less goblins for you to fear on the road to Maheto with a fine inn awaiting you at the end of your day. The inn is run by his brother and his two sons." he points to Brethon with his chin "They are goodly folk. Please treat them as such."
Adula replies, "There's not much to tell. My betters asked me to tend to travelers on the waters of the Verduran Fork. I wanted to travel this towpath, and Hanull wanted to see Maheto. It was too early in the season to sail from Belhaim, so we bought passage with a caravan much like yours. We were attacked yesterday by goblins and a two-headed giant. We barely escaped with our lives. We were hoping to meet other travelers. Thanks be to Hanspur and the other gods that we ran into you. And thank you for your hospitality."
The gnome looks up in amazement at Adula's words and his mind races... or at least walks along at a good clip.
A giant to giants! Wow, that sounds much worse then that Ettin person everyone keeps talking about.
Hanull, who is sitting next to Mr. Gribb, asks him, "Are you the caravan master?"
Mr. Gribb nods.
Hanull continues, "May we travel back to Belhaim with you? We don't have much, but we'll pay what we can."
Mr. Gribb, who has helped himself both to the applejack and the brandy, says, "Grand. Yes, come along. I charged 10gp for the gnome from Dumpkins." He juts his chin in the direction of Albern.
Adula excuses herself for a moment while the two talk and steps into the woods beyond the firelight.
Hanull reaches into a pouch. "Would you take 15 for the two of us?"
Mr. Gribb considers the offer for a moment. "You'll eat more than the gnome. But it's always good to have a priestess along. All right."
Hanull passes a platinum piece and several gold pieces to Mr. Gribb.
"Thank you very much!" Hanull says. "We can help watch, if you want." he offers, looking to the caravan guards. "We wouldn't want to be jumped by goblins tonight."
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The Professor watches the two newcomers closely. When he sees the healing magic, he wonders. The sight of the Hanspur medallion sends an odd shiver down his spine. The Water Rat's priests are sometimes... unscrupulous in their choice of sacrifices upon the river. Their pursuit of Hanspur's interest in Death does not sit well with Pharasma's clergy church, usually, since it is a premature death that His followers normally bring, out of line with the natural world and timing.
"But then, what is a 'natural' timing?" Taldus remembers one of his bishops postulating in an advanced Pharasman philosophy course. "Perhaps the sudden death was Fated, all along and was "premature" only in the blind eyes of mortals." Taldus mentally shrugs, when he recalls that memory. No philosopher he. Such philosophical games leave him a bit cold. The hard facts of a corpse, its anatomy, its secrets... those appeal much more than some theoretical argument by a white robed bishop inside a cathedral.
Right now, this river priest could make a corpse of all of us, premature or not, thinks Taldus.
He steps forward, cleaning his hands of goblin blood with a solvent of purified alcohol, and stares boldly at Hanull.
"Your 'sister' who doesn't look like a sister to you, Adula, does she bring Hanspur's death to the river, or aid to travelers upon Hanspur's waters?"
"And why is she out there, in the dark woods, when safety is here, near the fire, with good company?"
[Professor Bellerophon] steps forward, cleaning his hands of goblin blood with a solvent of purified alcohol, and stares boldly at Hanull."Your 'sister' who doesn't look like a sister to you, Adula, does she bring Hanspur's death to the river, or aid to travelers upon Hanspur's waters?"
"And why is she out there, in the dark woods, when safety is here, near the fire, with good company?"
Hanull replies, "I assume she's relieving herself. She's quite modest."
Mr. Gribb coughs.
Brethon looks at Hanull suspiciously, but says nothing.
Tark and Bray each get up from the campfire. Bray says, "Professor, could you help us with the mules? You're quite good with them." He and Tark then leave the firelight in the direction of the mules.
Bray continues toward the mules. He whispers to Professor Bellerophon, "Hanull just gave Mr. Gribb something, and Mr. Gribb ate it. I think he knows those two, and I think they're all up to something. Be ready. Warn the others if you can do it without letting Mr. Gribb, Adula, or Hanull know."
Bray says loudly from the edge of the light, where he is standing with Professor Bellerophon, "I'm sorry, Professor, I meant Rafaelis. It's been a long day. Rafaelis, could you come over, please."
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"But, but... what about my gentle touch and all?" asks Professor Bellerophon. Then he hears Bray's whisper.
"Well, OK, I guess."
He returns to the fire, somewhat puzzled.
"Rafaelis, it seems he wants you to help with the mules," he says confusedly. "Maybe its the goblin blood. I could've sworn he thought I had a good touch with the mules. Hmm."
As Rafaelis leaves, Taldus wonders how he will signal Rafaelis if he's not at the campfire. Oh well.
Taldus begins considering how to signal the others that something is up. Maybe a hand motion of some sort while Hanull isn't looking.
Taldus begins considering how to signal the others that something is up. Maybe a hand motion of some sort while Hanull isn't looking.
Handull says to Mr. Gribb, rather loudly, "Is there a problem, sir?"
Mr. Gribb replies, "Er, no. Everything is great. Everyone calm down. These people are paying passengers."
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Rafael's rises up, pulls a candle lantern and rope out of his backpack that he was resting against, lights the lantern at the fire and goes over to help Bray, muttering "Hmph, just as I was settling in, work, work, work. Well this will be short. I've more goblin guts on me than than him. Come on Geb. No Nex, you stay! Good boy!" Rafael's goes off to help Bray.
Rafael's thinks to himself, "Their story is definitely thin on details to trip them up with. No names of fellow travelers or caravan master. No explanation as to why they set out as early on the road as we. Not a positive sign. No, no, no. Adula is either off praying for more spells, which should take her an hour, or conspiring with brigands to rob us. Oh come now!" He thinks to himself waggishly, "Why be narrow minded? She could easily be doing both!"
Rafael's rises up, pulls a candle lantern and rope out of his backpack that he was resting against, lights the lantern at the fire and goes over to help Bray, muttering "Hmph, just as I was settling in, work, work, work. Well this will be short. I've more goblin guts on me than than him. Come on Geb. No Nex, you stay! Good boy!" Rafael's goes off to help Bray.
Geb follows Rafaelis. Nex stays.
[Spoiler=For Rafaelis Only]When Rafaelis approaches, Bray whispers, "Hanull gave Mr. Gribb something, and Mr. Gribb ate it. I think he knows those two, and I think they're all up to something. Be ready. I warned the Professor. He's warning the others."
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Rafaelis will cast Mage Hand and have it hold his lantern
he says quietly to Bray, "Yes, I know that these two do not add up. If you really wanted to get the word around, you would have invited Mr Fevor instead. He is the one that has the Message Spell memorized." He starts, listening intently to Bray, "Ate something you say? I hope it's not more pesh. I have a theory that whomever is running the pesh would have drops along the way to entice Gribbs. Just like a carrot on a stick"