Shorga, along with the men, can't help but notice Icarus poking around, and tries not to stare. When the man questions him Shorga has to quickly shake himself back to the conversation. "Uhh, yesh shir Mr. Pinkerton, thish man," as he indicates the half-orc, "shays the cart'sh wheel broke and killed hish donkey as they passhed each other. I believe him." He then turns to Roker and gives him a brief updates on what's happening, that he believes him and they're trying to get to a quick and peaceful resolution.
As Kiren speaks, Shorga nods his head, "That shounds reashonable, wouldn't you shay gentlemen? We all have better things to do thish day I'm shure. Shall I try and find your horshe?" Shorga looks ready to mount Ursa, hoping the men will comply with the suggested plan.
Seeing Shorga mounting Kalum calls out towards the distant crowd.
"WHAT'S HAPPENING?"
The men seem somewhat baffled by the performance and the preponderance of prolific words from Icarus with far too many syllables, but the result is effective enough. The men retain their sour exterior, but grumblingly accept the judgement. Shorga relates the details to the half-orc and gets his acceptance of the terms offered.
Shorga quickly runs down a dopey looking draft horse only couple of hundred feet further down the path and coaxes it to return with him. In his absence you note a small problem with the plan to repair the wheel as the axle has sheared - but you improvise a means to at least draw the cart far enough to one side to allow space for the carriage to pass.
The half-orc unhitches the dead donkey, dragging it off the road and seemingly planning to leave it there. He gathers the firewood to carry on his own back and looks to set off soon after he receives fair recompense from the men for the loss of the donkey. Coins exchange hands and the half-orc thanks Shorga for his assistance.
The men are left with their turnip cart on one side and their draft horse, but don't look to head off until the strange strangers with their carriage are at least out of sight.
Shorga bids farewell to Roker, and thanks his thanks to the men for resolving the matter peaceably. Joining the others, and explaining all that had happened, he'd lined up Ursa, ready to continue. Inwardly he was quite pleased at how the others in their small band had conducted themselves, and justice seemed to have been meted out without undo discomfort for any involved. Now if only the rest of the journey can go as smoothly! he thinks to himself as they start on their way once again.
"Good thing we pressed on a little extra last night, other wise that could have turned into a delay. As it is we lost some of the time gained." I state as I return to the carriage. Making no mention of my strange performance.
Otis silently thanks all the gods he knows there was no trouble as he discreetly puts away the crossbow and nudges the horses to start moving. He is impressed by Shorga's fairness and diplomatic skills.
"Say, do you by chance serve any church?"
Kiren compliments his fellow travelers on their handling of the situation and takes his place back in the carriage.
As he rides alongside the carriage and hears the question, he gives a small chuckle at a distant memory, "Sherving the church was Da'sh purposhe, he wash a Paladin of Deshna. I put more shtock in people than godsh, and sho shtrive to serve the interestsh of mankind, particularly thoshe who are ill-equipped to help themshelvesh." He gives a rueful shake of his head, directed at his own long-windedness, "In short, no I do not. And yourshelf Otish? Are you a shervant of a church?" Shorga eyes the spot the crossbow lay in the wagon, "You cshertainly didn't sheem shquimish about ushing that crosshbow." the last is said with a grin.
Otis tries to hide his partial relief. "A paladin's son... Shouldn't be half bad based on some of the paladins' offspring I used to know... good times."
"No, although we used to revere Abadar in the family pretty seriously, paying duties and all, but I'm far from being a holy man if you know what I mean. I used to be in the carriage-making craft before I moved to the city."
Shorga eye's Otis, impressed, "You can build an entire carriage? That'sh impresshive." The cavalier turns back to face the road, "I've never lived it a big city, a nobleman'sh eshtate wash the closhesht I got. That wash right before I came to the Trade Guild." he lets out out a slow breath, and continues looking down the road.
Your travel brings you past a village where a market is currently in swing, no doubt where the turnips were destined to end up, then back out through more farmland before getting back into the wild. Crops fall away to open swathes of grass and brushland, though thankfully the road remains in fair condition. It is getting into the late middle of the afternoon when the horses grow a little unsettled, snorting and ears and eyes roving the lay of the land before you... then you hear the howl.
To the East and distant comes a howl that is answered by echoes. They are still somewhat distant... for now.
When Kiren complements everyone, Kalum chimes n
"Yeah! That was good - well done all. Do we want to let Shorga and Icarus do the scouting in situations like this from now on?"
During the earlier conversation Shorga hears Kalum's comment, "I would be up for the tashk, provided Icarush ish willing. I musht admit, his methodsh were unexshpected, but effective. What shay you on the matter Icarush?"
Then later...
Shorga tightens his grip on the reins briefly, as Ursa sidles and tosses her head at the distant howl. He then leans over the reins, muttering in calm, soothing tones. He moves closer to the carriage horses, repeating the process.
That task completed he turns a concerned gaze over the brushland to the east, "Dogsh perhapsh?" the half-orc says, not much hope in his voice. His free hand reflexively reaches behind him, and pushes his sword up to clear it's scabbard briefly, and then releases it, allowing it to settle back into place. The scraping of metal soothing to him.
That task completed he turns a concerned gaze over the brushland to the east, "Dogsh perhapsh?" the half-orc says, not much hope in his voice. His free hand reflexively reaches behind him, and pushes his sword up to clear it's scabbard briefly, and then releases it, allowing it to settle back into place. The scraping of metal soothing to him.
"Really?" Kalum perks up "I love dogs! They sound like they're lost though. Should we call them?"
"Really?" Kalum perks up "I love dogs! They sound like they're lost though. Should we call them?"
The concerned look doesn't leave Shorga's features, but he raises his eyebrows towards Kalum, "Whatever they are, the horshesh don't like them, which means I don't like them. Let'sh hope they leave ush be, but if not, keep your crosshbowsh nearby -- jusht in cashe." He turns back towards the road, but takes care to keep him and Ursa between the wagon and the direction the howls originated. It takes an effort to keep Ursha from cantering ahead, but the Cavalier definitely sympathizes with his equine friend.
@Kalum
"I suppose I can make an OK scout too, just not when I'm responsible for driving us away from danger."
Otis frowns and checks that the crossbow is still easily reachable.
"Sounds like there are quite a lot of dogs, then. I thought it was an urban feature."
He tries to calm the horses down and at the same time push them to ride a bit faster, while staring intently into the distance.
Earlier... Kalum's question pulls me from my current distraction of measuring the distance from the carriage wall to my nose and halving it, then moving my nose to the half way point and repeating until my nose is smashed against the side of the carriage at which point I look annoyed and confused and do the entire thing all over again. "What? Oh yes sure, I am a really good forward scout and a sneak and a... actually I can be pretty much anything you need me to be!" I state enthusiastically. I look like I am about to say more and then think better of it and lapse back into silence.
Now... Knowledge(nature) "That sounds like wolves, we should be fine as long as there are not too many of them and/or they are not too hungry." I say after listening to the howls.
Knowledge Nature
"I think Icarus is right...sounds like wolves to me."
Knowledge Local untrained...hmm, I really should have this skill.
Kiren sees Icarus staring at the wall. "Say, Icarus, are you OK there?"
"If one continuously halves the distance from where they are to where they are going then theoretically they should never reach their destination. And yet inexpicibly we always do."
"So you've studied geometry."
Shorga turns his head slightly, listening to the conversation. "Perhapsh if your noshe wash shmaller?" turning back to the road he chortles quietly, hiding the laugh poorly. Also thinking back to something Icarus said earlier Shorga hesitates before asking, "Could you be a woman ash well? I mean if you can be anything ash you shay."
@ Kiren; "oh yes, Geometry, the maths, sciences, history, religion, nature, etc, etc. I live to learn." I say with some enthusiasm.
A little surprised by the question from Shorga, "I, well, yes... sort of, that is what disguises are for after all is it not? I cannot physically change into a female but I am sure I could act the part."
Smiling still, "Oh I shee, jusht wondering."
The carriage rolls on a few hundred feet before what was heard by your ears is made plain to your eyes. Coming in hard on your flank is a group of roughly half a dozen wolves, long loping strides eating up the earth beneath them as they draw nearer the carriage. Among them is one beast that stands a full three hands taller than the others, grey fur flecked with black.
They are still a few hundred feet away... but with the pace they are running at they'll be upon you soon as they are easily outpacing the carriage, as well as angling in from forward of square.
Seeing the approaching danger Shorga shouts, "Ware! Wolves!! We musht form a defenshe!" He looks around frantically for a place to make a stand.
Spotting, what appears to be, a small copse of brush which might grant some protection Shorga rises in his stirrups even as he points the way, "There! That line of brush could at least protect one flank. Otis, can you get us there and line up the carriage?" The cavalier looks over his shoulder at the rapidly approaching beasts, "I musht shtay with Ursha, and the resht of you can pick them off with ranged weaponsh ahs we defend from the ground. Unlessh anyone hash other ideash?"
Pulling out my bow as we maneuver toward the brush I will begin firing on the wolves. As soon as reach the brush and stop I will climb to the top of the carriage and continue firing so that I can see where all the wolves are coming from.
I am going to drink my mutagen to enhance my dexterity. (I guess I should have had that listed on my sheet but that will be my normal choice.) If there is room I will find a place on top of the carriage or on the driver's seat. I will start throwing bombs as soon as they get within 120' or so (BAB+1, enhanced DEX +5, -1 for each extra 20' with my splash weapon mastery).
Otis brings the carriage to a halt where your left flank is protected by a slight rise of earth that bears a thicket of shrub atop it. You're confident that the wolves wouldn't be able to approach from that side at least... leaving only three avenues to defend. The horses whinny nervously as they stand still, flared nostrils and heavy pants betraying their agitation.
Kiren drinks a vial retrieved from within and quaffs it, setting off an internal reaction...
Kalum prepares and loads his crossbow before calling upon a patron unknown to most to guide your arms and gird your loins.
Shorga ranges slightly clear of the carriage upon Ursa as Icarus and Kiren make their way unto the roof of the carriage for vantage.
The wolves are in a tight group and roughly 200ft away when the ground opens enough that you get a view clear of obstruction at them... and think it worth risking a shot.
Kalum carefully aims at a wolf through the windows, the shoots at the lead worf.
As soon as the bolt is fired he starts to reload
After the stop, Otis grabs the crossbow and hops inside the carriage with Kalum. He takes a wild shot at one of the smaller wolves.
The bolt misses by a wide margin.
Upon seeing the wolves, Kiren is serene. He ponders the thin edge between life and death. He is prepared to defend himself and his friends but is saddened at the thought of having to fight these magnificent creatures. Taking a prepared vial from his belt, he adds one drop of pure river water from his forest homeland. He drinks, and tries to focus his mind, to unleash the full potential of his body...
His heart pounds, he feels the blood coursing through his veins. He feels...awakened. He nimbly jumps up onto the roof and pulls some more vials from his belt and combines them. He waits for the right moment, unleashes a primal scream, and hurls his bomb at the largest wolf.
Seeing the explosion, Kiren grins with excitement. "Come and get it, you mangy dogs!"
Shorga guides Ursa to the aft of the wagon, but still between the wagon and the wolves, he hopes the wolves will be drawn towards him instead of the work horses. "Otish, be shure the brake ish shet and the reinsh tied, it wouldn't do for them to bolt with you all inshide." He pulls his lance free of it's holster, letting it's familiar weight steady his arm. Focusing on the lead wolf, he steadies himself with a breath and runs his hand through Ursa's mane, transferring his calm to her.
Watching how everyone else acts toward the oncoming wolves first I finally raise my long bow to fire at one of the lesser wolves as they close, pulling back the arrow I take a deep steadying breath before firing.
Damage
The wolves see that the carriage has slowed to a stop, and rather than approaching directly, circle around to the front of the conveyance - still at a dead run.
The shots from both Kalum and Icarus strike home on one of the smaller wolves wounding it badly - while Otis' shot is wide.
Kiren lets loose with a speculative throw and to his surprise strikes home on the large beast. It catches fire as the other wolves shie away from the blast....
Reflex 1:
Reflex 2:
Reflex 3:
...two catching the full brunt of it.
The wolves are still roughly 100ft from the carriage and directly in front of it... the draft horses are beginning to balk from concern and worry, causing the carriage to buck slightly.
Onto Round 2:
Drawing another arrow from my quiver I draw, sight in on the wolf I already shot once and then let the arrow fly.
Damage
Then I hop down into the driver seat to calm the horses if need be.
Handle Animal
As several arrows strike home Shorga lifts an arm in triumph and congratulations, then the bomb goes off and Shorga covers his eyes his surprise. He looks back, more than a little impressed, "Nice shooting." Looking back he curses at the wolves change direction, figuring they'd try to hamstring the horses, but he knows they could change direction again and so stays put, lance at the ready.
Otis tries to calm the horses down and double-checks the restraints before jumping back into the carriage.
Otis tries to calm the horses down and double-checks the restraints before jumping back into the carriage.
[dice=Handle Animal]1d20+6