Dachs pulls out a pocket watch and looks at the five of you. "Sorry to push you out, but I've anothe' meeting in a few minutes. Names can be swapped in the main room. My boy's name is Priggle, he's the little gray fellow none of you noticed in the main room. He can handle hisself just fine. Now, move along and get to work."
Moneta will check out where to meet up with the wagons, head back to her apartment, and pick up the rest of her adventuring kit. She'll also swing by a potion merchant and pick up a potion of shield of faith. She'll have 83 GP in spending cash and will be willing to help others reach goals and such.
Hummm. Schmitty thinks. I might need some mundane defense. He then goes off to see what he can find. On second thought I wonder if I can find a scroll merchant. Always good to add spells to my book.
As Evan steps out of Dachs' office, he'll immediately begin to set out acquiring more ammunition in Quantium in the form of some more black powder and bullets.
Niko will consider running off to shop as well, but caution gets the better of him and he will simply settle his hat down low and go to the gathering place early, picking a fairly unobtrusive place and keeping his eyes on the surroundings in case someone tried to scope the place out, set up an ambush, etc etc.
Perception if applicable.
Oblivious to the fact that it is already obvious, "me Karg".
As the group is finishing introducing themselves to eachother, there is the sound of someone clearing their throat, "ahem! You the five for the job that starts tomorrow?"
As the group is finishing introducing themselves to eachother, there is the sound of someone clearing their throat, "ahem! You the five for the job that starts tomorrow?"
Niko's stride to the exit will be checked, and he will turn to stare at the source of that voice long and hard.
"We are. Who might you be?"
A bald, gray-skinned gnome says, "I'm Priggle. I'll be handling the wagon. Is it just the five of you? Any mounts, animal companions, familiars, etc? Things that need to eat and drink are what I'm asking about. I need to make sure you all don't starve to death." You can't help but notice he's has a pair of battle picks tucked in his belt.
As the group is finishing introducing themselves to eachother, there is the sound of someone clearing their throat, "ahem! You the five for the job that starts tomorrow?"
Schmitty's small head turns and raises an eyebrow to the man. In unison Chavi's head turns above Schmitty to the man and also raises an eyebrow ridge on the same side.
A bald, gray-skinned gnome says, "I'm Priggle. I'll be handling the wagon. Is it just the five of you? Any mounts, animal companions, familiars, etc? Things that need to eat and drink are what I'm asking about. I need to make sure you all don't starve to death." You can't help but notice he's has a pair of battle picks tucked in his belt.
Schmitty points up to Chavi who lifts one side of her upper lip showing a wide row of teeth, but not aggressively.
"I'll be riding on whatever horse Dachs rents for me. Other than that, normal provisioning rules pertain - he says it's 7 days out - which means we probably want eighteen days of food to have some time to deal with delays without having to eat the horses."
"Boss is providing two horses, both for the wagon. You want something to ride, you need to find your own. Or, you could ride in the wagon." To Schmitty, "Does that...things eat?"
"Supplies wise, Dachs just told us inside he'd be giving horses for everyone. Where would we be picking those up from anyways? Figure that in for supplies and things should work out okay on your end, yes?"
Niko will pause, and stare at Chavi for a while.
"I admit i have no idea what 'that' eats or how much however. Oh, the Orc probably eats as much as two or something. Any other questions?"
Niko will fidget a bit, starting to look around the room and to the door.
requested bluff roll
"Boss is providing two horses, both for the wagon. You want something to ride, you need to find your own. Or, you could ride in the wagon." To Schmitty, "Does that...things eat?"
"Yes. about as much as a human and the same types of food.'
Chavi Adds in a clear voice "I like meat, but I can eat most anything."
"Me have camel, Spitz at da stable. Me need ta know how long we go for so me can buy food fer Spitz."
"I don't have any animals or familiars, it's just me, Mr. Priggle."
"Supplies wise, Dachs just told us inside he'd be giving horses for everyone. Where would we be picking those up from anyways? Figure that in for supplies and things should work out okay on your end, yes?"
Niko will pause, and stare at Chavi for a while.
"I admit i have no idea what 'that' eats or how much however. Oh, the Orc probably eats as much as two or something. Any other questions?"
Niko will fidget a bit, starting to look around the room and to the door.
requested bluff roll
1d20+1
"Wow, someone who lies worse than me. Figures, I can never be the best OR the worst at anything."
"Boss is providing two horses, both for the wagon. You want something to ride, you need to find your own. Or, you could ride in the wagon." To Schmitty, "Does that...things eat?""Yes. about as much as a human and the same types of food.'
Chavi Adds in a clear voice "I like meat, but I can eat most anything."
"Everything talks, it's just that most people don't listen."
"Me have camel, Spitz at da stable. Me need ta know how long we go for so me can buy food fer Spitz."
"Okay, so food for the orc and his camel."
"I don't have any animals or familiars, it's just me, Mr. Priggle."
"Priggle, just Priggle."
"Okay, just double checking. Fifteen days of food and water for six people, four horses, a camel, and...whatever Chevy is. Do any of you have slaves or servants that'll be coming with us?"
Schmitty Raises his eyebrow at the slaves question
"Uhhh...No. No slaves."
"Slaves? There better not be! They would just slow us down." Tark replies.
"Wait. You're telling me he gave us 'extra' horses but now they have to be used to pull the wagon? That seems a bit of a stretch but if he wants to play underhanded that's fine with me. I'll be riding in the wagon then, and i suggest everyone else do the same also. Less room for salvage for him if he wants to be like that."
Niko will stare at the gnome for a bit longer, then shrug and head for the door.
"Slaves? There better not be! They would just slow us down." Tark replies.
"I have no interest in ever owning slaves, Priggle. What time are we getting underway tomorrow?"
Stepping outside, Evan adjusts his cowboy hat, making sure it's on just so, then tips it and his head towards Karg and Schmitty then heads out towards the shops. After receiving the answer from Priggle, he takes his leave, spending 88 gp on supplies to make another twenty-two paper cartridges, Evan spends 10 gp on a sharp-looking short sword and sheath, adding it to his small weapon collection, and adds the remaining 2 gold to his very small reserve.
The next morning, he'll arrive thirty minutes before the time Priggle gives.
Moneta will arrive leading a light riding horse with saddle and bridle and reins; it's still getting used to her. "Had to sell off some old clothing for this." She takes a moment to go through, with Priggle, the status of stores and how many water casks. (She now has about 7 GP of clothing at her apartments, rather than 10.)
She will, given the opportunity, ride in the wagon as much as possible, while her horse is tethered and lead.
"Had to sell off some old clothing for this."
"Bah! Next time you talk to Karg. Karg make sure those of Gorum are provided for."
Early the next morning, everyone assembles in front of a livery stable where Priggle already has everything loaded, but is double checking to make sure all the food, water, and misc. supplies are accounted for.
Two horses are rigged up to pull the wagon, both appear to be exceptional examples of their breed. Two other horses, less spectacular examples, are saddled and currently tied to a bar. They turn their heads to regard the group as they walk up. It's almost like they both check the group over, look at each other, shake their heads and then go back to just standing there, waiting.
Not having seen anything amiss, Niko will approach the group and nod at the others.
"Oh looky here, four horses and not two. Amazing."
That said, he pulls himself up into the wagon itself and gets comfortable.
"You all can have 'em."
"I'm all right in the wagon fer now," Evan says as he steps onto the wagon himself. "Got some stuff to do."
Once the wagon begins to get underway, Evan will pull his gunsmithing kit out and beginning putting in his one day of work in order to create himself 22 more paper cartridges.
Moneta will look at the wagon, will look at the 'loaner' horses, and shake her head. Her plan of riding in the wagon seems to have vanished at seeing Niko and Evan climb in.
She watches as Markhale starts measuring out ingredients...the wagon hits a cobblestone and powder spills in his lap.
"It's only going to get worse when we're off these roads and in the badlands." she says. "Recommend you save the fiddly stuff until we're in camp. With only two horses pulling, we're not going to cover much over 24-30 miles per day, so there'll be downtime.
Karg rides out in front of the wagon, taking the lead and scanning constantly for threats.
Schmitty rides up on Chavi. The two look quite comfortable and look at the wagon full of compatriats. Their neck movements mirror each other. "Hi!" schmitty says enthusiastically.
Schmitty rides up on Chavi. The two look quite comfortable and look at the wagon full of compatriats. Their neck movements mirror each other. "Hi!" schmitty says enthusiastically.
Niko will look up, and give Schmitty a wave with one hand in return.
"That's everyone Wriggle. Lets be off, time's a wastin'."
Schmitty rides up on Chavi. The two look quite comfortable and look at the wagon full of compatriats. Their neck movements mirror each other. "Hi!" schmitty says enthusiastically.
"Hey, Marcus," Evan says pleasantly as he looks up from his munitions work to smile and nod at Schmitty. "Hello, Chavi." He returns his attention to carefully measuring out small bits of gunpowder and fitting them along with bullets into paper casings, before carefully sealing the alchemical cartridges with a solvent of some kind, all from his gunsmithing kit. He has obviously done this before, and seems ready to spend the day working on the task at hand.
Schmitty rides up on Chavi. The two look quite comfortable and look at the wagon full of compatriats. Their neck movements mirror each other. "Hi!" schmitty says enthusiastically."Hey, Marcus," Evan says pleasantly as he looks up from his munitions work to smile and nod at Schmitty. "Hello, Chavi." He returns his attention to carefully measuring out small bits of gunpowder and fitting them along with bullets into paper casings, before carefully sealing the alchemical cartridges with a solvent of some kind, all from his gunsmithing kit. He has obviously done this before, and seems ready to spend the day working on the task at hand.
"You can call me Schmitty. Or Cousin Schmitty. It's the name I've become used to. " Schmitty says cheerily.
Chavi nods politely to return the greeting.
Seeing everyone assembled, Priggle says, "Finally, I was beginning to wonder if you had taken the bosses money and left. Wouldn't be the first. Anyways, those of you riding in the wagon, climb on, the others should mount up as we have a long day of riding ahead of us. I'd like to manage twenty miles."
Priggle tries to lift the groups spirits a little by telling some jokes. They are surprisingly funny.
She watches as Markhale starts measuring out ingredients...the wagon hits a cobblestone and powder spills in his lap.
"It's only going to get worse when we're off these roads and in the badlands." she says. "Recommend you save the fiddly stuff until we're in camp. With only two horses pulling, we're not going to cover much over 24-30 miles per day, so there'll be downtime.
Moneta will, when it's her turn to switch out from the wagon to horseback, suggest that Evan mount up as well. She'll say to the rest:
"There's a dust trail a good hour or so behind us. I spotted a team of horses and two wagons with outriders. We'll see if they're heading on the same course we are, or stick to the stage coach road."
"If they don't break course for parts hither, it might be worth saying 'hello' just to avoid misunderstandings."
"Pretty good material yer working with there, Priggle," Evan says with a nod and a grin. "Reminds me of the kinda stuff you hear from the entertainment at any good, hometown tavern."
Evan confirms Moneta's statement: "I saw the wagons, too. It'd be nice to know if they're intending to do anything to us or just simple travelers. Mayhaps we'll figure that out soon. Might be a good idea to make sure they don't catch up to us too much."
He turns to Priggle. "How do you wanna handle this?"
Niko will sit up with a start at Evan's and Moneta's revelation about the others, eyes scanning back behind the group to try to pick out any sign of the mentioned trailers.
"Coppers to Silvers they're either following us or after the same thing we are." He mutters.
His hand strays to rest lightly on his sword nearby.
"I'd say assume the worst and try to put some extra distance between us."
With his hat pulled low he won't be making eye contact with anyone.
"Hrm, yes me think Niko right. It best we stay ahead of them. If we find narrow spot in trail though, me going to stay behind and chop down a tree or two and let them fall across road. Me will then catch up to group."
"So are we blocking the road then?" Schmitty asks
"I'd rather talk to them first. Maybe, as Karg believes, I can talk them to death. I'd rather not damage the road we have to return on when we've got only fifteen days of food."
"Well, if you want to go talk to 'em, i'll wait here. Folks seem to get antsy when i talk to 'em."
Niko will then settle back down in the wagon, hat pulled low again.
"Bah! Keep da wagon move'n me say. Me also think them will spend hours to clear da mess me gunna make in minutes."
Karg ponders for a moment and then looks at Moneta and speaks again, "If you not want me mess up road, that fine. But we not stop'n da wagon."
"What you think them go'n to say? If them is coming for the loot then either thems is gunna lie to ya, or them will just kill you knowing it makes us weaker."
"Lets just press on hard and fast. Make sure we get there before anyone else. If it a fight for the loot they want though... theys gunna get it!"
Evan nods. "I agree. Don't see any benefit to stopping the wagon, or to talking to them, for that matter, at least right now." He's still waiting for Priggle to weigh in.
Priggle just sits there and sighs. After Evan stops, he says, "You people are far too paranoid. Most likely, they're just a group heading for Ecanus. But, even if they're not, it doesn't matter. If they're heading for the Bosses salvage, we just need to beat them there, get stuff, and get gone. Leave the bones for them to pick over. If they are heading there, and get there before we're done and gone, we figure things out then. For now, I say we just keep heading the direction we are."
He looks and Karg and asks, "Where would we get enough trees to build a wall large enough to block them? He gestures around, pointing out the lack of plant-life in general.