"I'll bear that in mind, thank you," Saraon replies, finishing half his sandwich and starting on the side of diced potatoes in varying colors.
Once the food was cleared up, Sprig gently spreads the map across the table. "Seems like there's quite a few of these lil' caches set up. Th' nearest ones are number 2 and 3 though Ah ain't certain which one t' go for."
”Cafthshe Fr...Th...Three.” Brindles mangles in her haste, a fee stray stringy bits of “shoup” escaping.
”We try for one. Return here with weapinz/gear. Then 2, 4, 5. Then 1. Shimple.” the gnoll smiles good naturedly.
"An' might I ask just what this is?" Katheryn asked with a raised eyebrow. "What you're doin' I mean."
"Fortuna has left behind a number of caches, each containing items that date all the way back to the Old World, and offered their locations to us in exchange for retrieving the 'key' that we just gave her," Saraon explains. "As you've expressed interest in joining our little band, you're certainly welcome to the spoils as well."
”Sh..spoils!” Brindle crows. ”Enerji weapinz!!! Or sh..so Fortuna led ush to believe.”
"Actually I was just wantin' ta talk about the druid. But come ta think of it... I ain't got anything else ta do you know?" Katheryn gave a small almost sad chuckle. "So, iffin' ya need it... My gun is yours."
"And maybe you'll have new guns as well, if this pans out," Saraon replies with a wink.
"Hey boss, let me swing by the general store boss. I've got some ideas about ways to make the camp a bit more secure at nights."
He began quickly finishing his food, leaving some coin behind and making his way to the general store. He hoped they had what he was looking for, but he would certainly look for other things.
"Hello there shopkeep,"
He began giving the shop keeper a repsectful head nod.
"I'm looking for some things, Bear traps, caltrops, perhaps some sort of alchemical glue."
Mort nods, ”Hmm. We might have a few traps, I’ll check the back.”
He returns a few minutes later with a few rusted bear traps, Best I could do for you, I think.”
"Perfect. Any small casks of whiskey? Do you have any greenstem tobacco casks about?"
He asked as he inspected the traps.
"A new gun?" Katheryn chuckled. "Well now, how can I say no to that?" She asked.
"So... iffin' we be headin' out... When ya thinking we'll do that?" She asked the remaining group.
"Soon as Bas finishes his business with the local general store, I assume," Saraon replies.
It took a bit of time, perhaps an hour or so, but finally he returned with a crate of goods.
"ready to go boss, got a dew things to keep the camp a bit more secure at night."
Brindle looks at the rusty traps.
”Hmm. The rust is red.”
Sprig looks over Bas's haul with a toothy grin. "Looks like we're sleepin' safer at night, Bas. Good thinkin'! Let's get loaded up t' bear. who knows what we might encounter 'long th' way."
The little lizard gathers up Shot and his old crew. "Now erryone, looks like we're in for an' exciting time 'ere! Th' time's come that we split ways. Lefty, Ah want yew an' the boys t' rustle up some new hands, cause y'all 're 'bout t' become our first lil' enterprise. Ah'm lookin' into buyin' y'all a brand new wagon! Soon as everythin's squared away, yew load up on food an' supplies and head back t' Kildain an' trade 'em fer whatever they can dig up, in that mine o' thiers. Gems, metals heck even stone'll be useful. Ah think we'll set it up as a regular thing, and Ah can trust y'all t' handle it."
He shoots the ex-bandit a glance. "Even you, Shot. It might not pay out right away as th' town's gettin' back on their feet, but don't worry, things'll change."
Shining disc
Shining crystal
Bag of gemstones
Icon of Arigia, fallen god of farmers and ranching
20 bullets
Magical Face Paint
4 Hot-lead guns
3 Flame-spewing swords
1 Fire gun
2 Unidentified Scrolls
Ivory scroll case
Fancy goblet
2 gold bars
Sprig's personal funds
17p 127g 29s 94c
Lefty's eyes briefly widen in surprise before saying, "Sure thing, boss. Me and the boys'll do our best." Big Bill gives an enthusiastic thumbs up, and Bill even cracks a smile as he nods in affirmation. Shot nods a little nervously, "Well, some extra hands're good. Might know a few folks."
With gear doled or sold, the party sets out to the location of cache 2.
It's odd for most of the party to be travelling without the caravan guards, from Big Bill's idle chatter to Shot's special diligence while on watch. Despite that, the travel goes smoothly.
The location describes it as being under a rock at the top of a hill, but the hill that matches the description has a ramshackle cabin at it's peak, with a sign at it's base that reads The Empire of Zond: No Unauthorized Entry!
Saraon reads the sign and looks at the others, bemusement clear in his eyes.
"Looks like we may have to open diplomatic relations for our prize,"
Brindle stares at the sign, unable to read it.
[b]"Is there a problem?[/ooc]
She looks about carefully.
An empired with a cabin as its castle? Seen stranger things i supposed. Never heard of it before though."
He frowned and spat upon the ground gripping the haft of his Bardiche. It may be needed soon.
Katheryn came up, musket cradled on her shoulder as she spoke "I.... not rememberin' coming out to this place..."
Neither Katheryn nor Bas know about this "Empire of Zond."
If there was some sort of civilization, especially one calling itself an empire this close to Exchange, it would be common knowledge.
Brindle stares at the sign, unable to read it.
"Is there a problem?
She looks about carefully.
"We don't know yet, Brindle...but we appear to be at the borders of the so-called 'Empire of Zond.' Meaning someone with delusions of grandeur has built a cabin on top of the cache and thinks the surrounding land belongs to them."
Saraon turns to the others.
"Shall we...open diplomatic relations?"
It's clear from his tone that he's smirking behind that mask.
Brindle frowns at Saraon’s strange and multi-syllabic term for the door.
Sprig squints his eyes, trying to see any figures in the distance. "Looks like we have some kinda squatter about. Maybe we can call 'em out see if they want t' buy somethin'... or at least get down from that hill there."
The small lizard rubs his little claws together. "This Zond prolly can't keep 'is eyes on all of us at once, Ah'll distract 'em an' some of yew sneak 'round back an' take what belongs to us."
Taking a deep breath, the kobold yells out loudly and clearly:
Level 0
Ghost Sound
Mage Hand
Mending
Message
Level 1
Grease
Snowball
Expeditious Excavation
Reduce Person
Level 2
Summon Monster 2
2x Invisibility
"I'll check it out, im pretty quiet."
He offered the boss not adding that well, he could put a hurt on something if he got into trouble.
The door bursts open and a small, haggard man steps out, a shabby crown made from rusty scrap atop his head and a club resembling a scepter serving as something like a walking stick, ”What do you seek in Zond’s glorious empire?” He gestures to a small field of scraggly corn, ”Perhaps food from our bounteous farmlands,” and then raps his “scepter” on the ground, ”Or riches from the fabled mines of Zond, where the world’s finest treasures are mined? All and more can be found here!”
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Brindle isn’t fond of the sneaking stealing concept, not when she feels the cache is properly theirs. She stands in the sunlight and peers at the scruffy human.
”Step aside, trash.” she barks, hackles raising.
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The "Emperor's" jaw drops as Brindle speaks. His voice raises to a shrill peak as he says, "What? Who are you to address the mighty emperor Zond in such a way? Guards! Guards! Arrest these miscreants, feed the dog to the dragon, throw them in the stockade, off with their heads, off with their heads!"
He continues ranting, spittle and expletives flying in equal measure.
Sprig thought quietly as the madman shouted his expletives. Thinking back to the human books he'd read, idea slowly formed in his mind.
Stepping forward with both claws in the air, the kobold slowly approached the "Emperor". "Ah am sorry my lord, my associates simply don't think you're dressed quite as well'sa man of yer station oughta be. But ah believe we have the jes' th' thing fer you. A-er, gift lessay"
Slowly making his way to the back of his wagon, the little lizard scrambles around inside for a while before returning with... nothing. Holding the nothing in his hands, Sprig unfurls it to it's full length. "This rich robe is made of a rare an valuable material, which changes its color with th' wisdom of the wearer. In fact, it is said to render one nigh invisible to th' foolish. As yew can see, th' cut is a remarkable fit fer a man such as yerself. Ah'd almost say it was made fer yah!"
Brindle frowns, then barks.
"Shprig! No! Not the finesht!!! We have fought long and hard to attain thish robe!!!"
Katheryn looked from side to side at the characters before she leaned over and whispered to Saraon. "This... uha, this normal?"
The man stops his raving as Sprig starts talking to him in a manner that befits royalty. "A talking lizard now, too? Well, I..."
His voice trails off as Sprig presents the "robe" before he says, "I...I see how wondrous that robe looks. Truly...ah, resplendent! Come then, present your gift, and I may bestow my favor in return!"