Dawn seemed to come early today. Ever since you picked up the Announcement of a caravan master in need of able bodied guards to escort his caravan from Mara down the Old Trade Road to Grayhaven, all you could think about is how great of an opportunity this would be. Mara might be a town you have called home all your life or for a short while, but this is the perfect opportunity for you to get out of this dying town.
As you make your way towards Hero's Gate you can hear the gruff voice of a dwarven man barking orders to a team of men and woman hooking up wagons to draft horses. "Move yer arses ye lazy bums. aam payin' guid gauld fur ye tae gie these wagons hitched, an' we ur pest due fur when we waur tae sit aff." He continues on to encourage the team to speed up.
As you all slowly approach you notice that this caravan of wagons has nine wagons in total. Quite the number of wagons, and understandable for the call to hire guards. Walking up from the wagon train to the Hero's Gate, the dwarven man looks the lot of you up and down nods and begins to speak; "Ah tak' it ye ur th' lot fa took tae th' flyer? th' nam is Dugal Stonepick, an' jist as th' pepper says each ay ye will gie 25 gauld upon arrival tae Grayhaven... weel those fa ur alife when we make it thaur. Ah ainae gonnae lie, th' attacks oan caravans hae increased these lest few months. ance caravan has e'en gain completely missin'..." He wipes the sweat from his brow with a handkerchief, gives his nose a blow, and continues on; "But frae th' looks ay th' lot ye seems loch a boorichie 'at can handle yoorselves. sae whit dae ye say. och aye ur nae?"
The dwarven man stands waiting for your reply, to if you accept the terms.
Mezdav speaks up. "I'll take your 25 gold to guard your caravan to Grayhaven, but you provide the rations, the beer and fodder for my mule..."
-2 for Cha, untrained
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Ercio looks at the dwarf with his mouth hanging open as he processes the words. Thankfully a Half Orc next to him starts haggling with the dwarf about the guard's fees. The half orc smells very unnatural, however, and the young man can't help but wince and take a step away sideways.
Although Ercio doesn't look particularly threatening, there is a cheetah that walks next to him that gives the impression that is prompt to protecting him. However, he thinks it would be a good opportunity to get more out of this apparent bargain.
He didn't choose to be in Mara, he was there on orders. But he didn't have orders to stay there either, only to find occupation. This could be just the chance to follow his master's command without fully complying, and that thrilled him.
25 pieces wouldn't get you a decent mercenary normally, but i'll take the deal. Adir has Brown hair down to his shoulders, light facial hair, blue eyes, though handsome he stands at the short height 3 feet. He's got a lean musculature from his training.
He's walks around barefoot like most halflings do, he's otherwise got a breast plate over a long black and dark green gambeson. He has a sheathe for his greatsword, longer than he is tall strapped to his back and uses his Slingstaff as a walking cane, i'm heading that way anyway, you have my blade.
25 pieces wouldn't get you a decent mercenary normally, but i'll take the deal. Adir has Brown hair down to his shoulders, light facial hair, blue eyes, though handsome he stands at the short height 3 feet. He's got a lean musculature from his training.
He's walks around barefoot like most halflings do, he's otherwise got a breast plate over a long black and dark green gambeson. He has a sheathe for his greatsword, longer than he is tall strapped to his back and uses his Slingstaff as a walking cane, i'm heading that way anyway, you have my blade.
Looking the half-orc up and down, Dugal chuckles to himself. “Th' offer is whit th' offer is. Ye dinnae hae tae come alang if ye dinnae want tae. hes toon is a fallin' apart an' Ah am sure Ah coods fin' other hired hans tae help gie thes caravan doon tae Grayhaven.”
Hearing the Halfling speak up accepting the offer, a smile splits Dugal’s face wide. “See, th' lad haur knows a deal when he hears one.” Seeing the large blade on the Halflings back Dugal speaks back up; “I’ll teel ye whit. onie ay those cowards we come athwart 'at ye gonnae-no, ye can hae everythin' 'at they owned. heck lae them deid an' naked fur aw Ah caur.” He laughs a little to himself; “Micht e'en serve as a warnin' tae onie others it thaur, micht wisen them up an' sit them straight… Ah heard 'at thaur was a royal caravan said tae be carryin' some sort ay magical treasure, mebbe we come athwart those fa hae it…. Coods be yoors tay. But 'at is yer call”
Looking up the human with the cheetah by his side. “Silent type Ah see, guid eyes an' ears Ah bit tay. dae ye job an' we will gie alang happily.” Looking between the three who have already arrived, Dugal turns towards his wagons; “'at goes fur aw ay ye tay, dae yer damned jobs an' we will gie tae grayhaven safely. by torags hammer, we ur pest loom o' morn an' nae oan th' road… bludy hells.”
Dugal stomps off towards the wagons continuing to urge on those who are loading the wagons and those hitching the horses to them.
As Dugal heads off, Mezdav mutters "Yeah, you're the only game in town... Guess I'm in"
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Ercio replies unsure with "Yes, I'll help. For the money of course." He wasn't lying. If he could produce money to his mentors, they would believe he worked in the town. He turns to Mezdav and says "Looks like we'll be traveling together, after all. Would you mind doing something about that... odor?", while smelling like sweat himself.
Sniff, Snifff.... "Ah, the saltpeter you mean. We all smell a bit like that. It's the smell of the trade, I'm an alchemist."
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Ercio hears Mezdav and ponders. Now there's a profession I don't understand. Nature provides us with all we need. Trying not to sound too arrogant, the young man says "I imagine you must be good at it", and calls his cheetah closer by saying his name, "Bumi". He senses that the half-orc means to hear his profession, but he doesn't have one. He just says "I study Nature and its wonders"
"Oh, so sorry, Mister Dwarf!" says Yalyaane to Dugal. "I did not understand what you said. But I am a guard! Yes, very good at guarding!" She gives an enthusiastic handshake to the dwarf, without wondering if this is correct protocol or not.
"That dwarf was speaking very strangely!" says the girl from the highlands, brushing dust off of her elaborate shamanic garments. "I am Yalyaane--very pleased to meet all of you! Oh, and you're Mezdav--I already met you!"
She seems completely unbothered by the fact that reality seems to warp ever so slightly around her in an unsettling way.
Looking the half-orc up and down, Dugal chuckles to himself. "The offer is what the offer is. You do not have to come along if you dont want to. This town is falling apart and I am sure I could find other hired hands to help get this caravan down to Grayhaven."
Hearing the Halfling speak up accepting the offer, a smile splits Dugal’s face wide. "See, the lad here knows a deal when he hears one." Seeing the large blade on the Halflings back Dugal speaks back up; "I'll tell ya what. If we come across any of those cowards on the way, you can have everything that they own. Heck, leave them dead and naked for all I care." He laughs a little to himself; "Might even serve as a warning to any other out there, might wisen them up and set them straight... I heard that there was a royal caravan said to be carring some sort of magical treasure, maybe we come across those that have it... cold be your too. But, that is your call."
Looking up the human with the cheetah by his side. "Silent type I see. God eyes and ears I bet too. Do your jo and we will get along happily." Looking between the three who have already arrived, Dugal turns towards his wagons; "That goes for the rest of you too, do your damn jobs and we will get to Grayhaven safely. By Torag's Hamer, we are past dawn and not on the road... Bloody hells."
Dugal stomps off towards the wagons continuing to urge on those who are loading the wagons and those hitching the horses to them.
Pash quietly approaches, looking around as he does. There may be many leagues of miles (and, at this point, a decades worth of years) between him and his past, but the caution never quite went away.
Well, I suppose if it does I will soon find myself in a noose watching my legs twitch for the amusement of the big 'uns, he mentally amends.
Presenting the dwarf with the flier, he smiles in what he hopes to be a disarming and innocent way.
"Hello there. I hope I am not too late, my breakfast went a little long today. You are the one requesting an escort to Grayhaven, yes?" He sticks out his hand. "The name is Pash. Some friends of mine thought it would be a good idea if I came along to ensure your shipment made it to its destination. They might have mentioned I was coming, hence my not hurrying. I apologize if that throws off your schedule. Still, I should be close to being ready to set off now... though I might want to go grab some provisions if you are not sharing. I have some, mind you, but you can never have too many on a long trip." The halfling looks like he is about to continue on about the virtues of being prepared when he catches the look of those around him.
"Ah, sorry, sorry. Force of habit. Talking a lot. Won't happen again. Unless it does."
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Yalyaane made an impression on Ercio for sure, as he looked at her like a dog looking into the void. Only in the middle of Pash's talk does he notice he notice he hasn't moved in quite a while. Bumi the cheetah is also enthralled by what seems like a rift in reality where she stands.
Looks like that one will be... shifting in her seat, he jokes to himself and grinned. Afterwards he is thankful that the halflings seem to be at least normal and didn't smell strongly.
"If you like that small blade you have as you do words, then we'll be fine", Ercio says thinking he was putting the matter to rest. Little did he realize, he was inviting some more conversation.
Adir begins following the Caravan near the front of the lot, keeping an eye out for any form of life beyond whats with the group. his gaze draws to the other fellow halfling that joins the group, though he dismisses the thought of conversation beyond a snarky remark thats a tad louder than what he intended He's a halfling, it will likely happen again.
Mezdav hooks the reins of his donkey onto the tail end of a cart in the middle of the caravan ( preferably one with a friendly seeming cart driver, ).
While on the march, he will travel with his sling in hand and loaded with a stone (not a bullet) and will happily loose at any rabbit/small game that within close range, hoping to add to the pot for dinner tonight. ( )
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As the caravan starts its movement, Ercio positions himself near the front carts, but not very close to the horses, and his reasons are twofold. He didn't enjoy seeing the animals being treated in such an undignified manner, and his companion Bumi might make the horses uncomfortable.
He constantly looked around, trying to see what Nature told him. He did miss being closer to the jungle. As such, he also tried to find himself some food on the way.
"Oh, half lings like to talk? I don't know any half lings! What do you talk about? I like salamanders," says Yalyaane.
He's quiet for a moment before responding, Most love the sound of their own voice.
Pash just grins. "I find that talking makes people aware that I am there. This reduces the chances of them stepping on me or kicking me by accident. It does, however, sometimes increase the odds of them doing it deliberately... but that is a risk I am ok with. At least then I know where I stand with them, and what I should be standing on when around them. And who might have a good set of legs that might be useful for later if I need to get a more aerial view of my surroundings from such a swift punt. And.... I am doing it again, aren't I? I am sorry, too much coffee with breakfast. Or perhaps not enough."
As the fifth and final hired hand arrives, you scan each other over. Evaluating one another to their level of usefulness to you in this endeavor. From where you are you see the team putting the finishing touches to the wagons and beginning to load up.
The first wagon is obviously Dugals. You can tell from the dwaven rustic charm that adorns the outside of it.
The second wagon is a rather unique looking wagon. The wagon is shorter height when it comes to the cargo area proper. Most people might assume it is for those in the caravan of short stature, for the halflings you know that this is even too short for you. Decorating the outside of this wagon are symbols of Pharasma and other markers. Standing around the outside seem to be two acolytes.
You know that this is a wagon used to transport the dead. Oddly enough you recognize the other symbols on the outside of the wagons. They are wards used to either keep spirits in or out of what is being warded.
You also know that one of Pharasma’s domains is healing and a subdomain of that is indeed resurrection.
The next 4 wagons are standard wagons, looks to be supplies and other goods.
The seventh wagon is brightly colored with the sign across the sign saying: Song of the Prism. Moving around the wagon are four humans: tumbling, juggling, and one sitting in the driver seat playing pipes.
The eighth wagon is made of dark woods, with earthy painted trim. Emerging from within is a woman with flair as she climbs down with ease. Only moments after her door opens the overwhelming aroma of perfumes, oils, ointments, and potpourri. The tall slender woman seems to not notice the aroma, but those around her do.
The ninth and final wagon is one that the halflings would recognized as a proper gnomish sized wagon. Moving about the outside of the wagon is a wizened looking gnome. The gnomish man is wafting his hand before himself, due to the wagon in front of his. You see him grasp a small rod on his hand and with a wave of a hand you notice a shift in the breeze and a satisfied smile comes across his face.
You detect minor Evocation magic.
You know this spell to be the Evocation (Air) spell Breeze. Which produces a light breeze for roughly an hour.
“About time you all got those damned horses hooked up, it’s time to move on!!” Dugal shouts towards the stable hands that were hooking the horse up. Dugal approaches the group; “You’ll have to pardon the delay, I like to be prompt. When I say dawn, I mean dawn!! Well if you have horses you can ride as you see fit, or you can walk. If you need anything don’t bother giving me a shout. I will be just up there.” Dugal points to the front wagon. “Is there anything you need before we go?”
"Nothing needed, thank you, Dugal!" says Yalyaane cheerfully, filling a small metal cup with water from thin air and walking beside her trusty mule. She looks to the others.
"Some of us should be in front and some in the back, I think." She unslings her crossbow. "I volunteer to be near the front in the left, in case we need to talk to someone we meet. Who is good as rear guard?". Her tone is cheerful, but it doesn't appear that her crossbow is for 'talking'.
Spellcraft Take 10 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16
Seeing Yalyaane take up a front left position, Mezdav goes back right, tethering his mule to the back of the 6th wagon.
I'll be in rear guard then. Adir falls back to the rear to keep watch from there
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Ercio is thankful that they were finally moving. The acrobats from the seventh wagon seem to cheer him up, but he nearly faints with the strong smell from the woman. He turns to the others and says "That one seems important, no?"
Ercio didn't recognize what the gnome wizard was casting, but he imagined it was something to puff the smell away, as he detected evocation from him.
"I will stay to the front and right. I have good eyes and ears, and Bumi here is smart too. Smarter than most people I met in town, even."
“That will do, I like it when the guards I hire are down to business. Let’s be on the road!” Dugal turns and makes his way for his wagon in the lead. All the while shouting to the caravan; “Lets load up! We are already late and we are leaving now. We aren’t waiting any longer.”
With the orders barked by Dugal, the owners/occupants of the other wagon snap to. Either climbing aboard two abreast on the driver’s seat, or making their way into the wagon itself. The party notices that there are a fair number of people who are walking. You can assume that they are people who want to travel south with the safety of numbers with the caravan, or they are part of the caravan proper.
As you are making you way south the weather seems to be a nice spring morning. The air is crisp, the grass is slick with the morning dew, and the song birds are chirping as they are out to find their morning meals. Everyone seems to be in a good mood because of the weather. Which is nice, because you have roughly 20 days ahead of you of travel. Everyone is generally friendly with each other. Those that seems to be tagging along with the caravan are even more friendly, it isn't a bad idea to get into the good graces of the caravan you are "hitching a ride" with.
Midday comes and you hear a signal whistle from the front of the caravan. Those that are up front see that Dugal is blowing it to halt the caravan. Jumping down from his bench and rubbing his back after he lands Dugal speaks out; "damned back is killing me only have such a short ride... Don't get unpacked, short break to water and feed the horses and the we will be back on the road. Do what business you need to do..." Dugal turns towards his wagon and gets a pack from it along with a collapsible shovel and makes way for the woods.
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Ercio, unknowing of how a guard is usually a very bored person, starts making rounds around the caravan. He makes sure there are no weak spots for some ambush to start. He picks up some berries and eats them to get something in his stomach and lets Bumi go hunting. After a while, when he can't fit any more berries in his stomach, he goes over to the gnome wizard.
"I hear gnomes are close to nature. Aren't you?" It was clear the druid had no idea how to talk to people.
Yalyaane gives a bit of feed to her mule. She scans the sky and smells the wind to check the weather.
"His bowels would be happier if he were walking," she says to her mule. She keeps her crossbow out, just in case.
Mezdav puts some feed in his mule's feedbag and then wanders to the back of the caravan and makes an offer to Adir " You cover me and I'll cover you".
As Ercio approaches the gnome, he notices the man is petting and feeding an interesting looking bird, some sort of spotted bird. The bird is inside of his wagon in what looks to be a rather luxurious bird cage, and from he brief glimpse within the cage matches now nice the rest of this gnomes wagon is.
As Erico speaks up, the gnome releases the worm he was feeding to the bird and turns with a smile to see who is speaking. The gnome begins to climb down from the wagon; "Oh, I do believe that we are inherently close to nature... though some of my kind are raised in such a way that we have less of that fey blood flowing through our veins." he says as he make it to the ground. He begins to wave his hands over his robe and the wrinkles, dirt, and dust of the day begin to fall out. Except he isn't actually touching is robes. "In fact, my dear boy, I am one of those gnomes that was raised away from the natural elements this world offers and spent more time in study. Except for my friend Peppercorn," he turns and points to the spotted bird that he was feedng. "She is a tie I have to the natural world. A rather exquisite specimen if I do say so myself..."
Turning back to Ercio; "Where are my manors? I am Findal Dinfizzle Findazzle, purveyor of the arcane arts." he says with a bow. "And you are?"
Since Yalyaane has been to the front of the caravan, she has only had the fresh air filling her nose. It has been a beautiful morning so far. By this time of day that crisp spring morning air has warmed to a comfortable day, no heavy cloaks needed today. Once the caravan stops Yalyaane's nose is met with a potent odor that she hadn't smelt since leaving Mara. It is the aroma coming from the tall slender woman's wagon at the back. You instinctively think to yourself that this caravan would not be hard to track if need be.
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Ercio watches Bumi return from the woods with his muzzle stained with blood, confirming that he easily found game and had his lunch. Disappointed that he didn't find someone close to nature, he replies to the gnome "A student of Nature and its mysteries. Ercio is my name."
He heard from his masters that those with arcane powers should be respected, so he decides to learn more about this one. He continues "Well, Findal, that's a fine looking bird. I'll make sure my own natural friend Bumi over there doesn't think Peppercorn is suddenly delicious, although if we were letting Nature run its course..." Although he didn't mean to threaten, it surely sounded like it.
"Say, do you have business in Grayhaven, or did you just get tired of Mara?"
Adir shrugs, Sure thing big guy, always good to have cover. He snacks on some dried meat and fruit, some water. He's mostly just observing, taking a brief rest, It's dangerous to go alone, especially if you have coin in your pocket He doesn't seem to have picked up on any social cues in the slightest
Findal smiles and nods as you complement Peppercorn. But, quickly furrows his brow at the comment of allowing nature to run its course; "I will caution you on threatening the companions of those you meet on the road! Pet or not, people don't look too kindly on it." Pulling on his robes and muttering to himself in a strange language.
Collecting himself he smiles and continues to answer; "I am just passing through Mara heading to Grayhaven. I was... furthering my studies." afixing a feeding bag to the horse that is pulling his wagon, Findal continues on; "What of you? I can tell from the looks of you and a few others that you are here for protection. But, lets be honest, the pay is not the greatest. Are you fleeing anything?" he looks over his shoulder studying you.
As Yalyaane is trying to collect herself from the aroma she was being reintroduced to, a young boy that was feeding Dugal's horses appears with a waterskin. He holds it out to Yalyaane; "Dugal gets bound up the first days of travel. The attacks are gettin' bad. You might get busy... hope not. I want to see home again." he moves his side bag and pulls out what looks to be dried meat and begins to chew on it.
The two of you make your way into the woods. Deep enough to be hidden from view of the caravan but shallow enough to not become lost within the woods. You both are able to do your business. When you come back together you hear someone speaking quietly but with anger. You don't understand the words that are being said, but you recognize the voice as Dugal.
At the stop, Pash takes a look around their surroundings after stretching a bit.
"Thank goodness. That was a rather long walk so far. 'tis time for a bit of a snack if you ask me."
Dipping into one of his rations, he takes a bit of the easier to eat dried food and munches quietly.
The two of you make your way into the woods. Deep enough to be hidden from view of the caravan but shallow enough to not become lost within the woods. You both are able to do your business. When you come back together you hear someone speaking quietly but with anger. You don't understand the words that are being said, but you recognize the voice as Dugal.
Mezdav cocks his head to listen for a second and then puts his finger to his lips in the universal gesture for quiet, and then whispers "That's Dugal, who the hell is he talking to out here?"
He then begins sneaking closer to the unseen Dugal, hoping to overhear what's being said.
+6 skill -2 acp
+5 skill
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Ercio looks at the gnome a little insulted that he thought he was threatening his bird. He, then, thinks it over and realizes what he said might have sounded like it. After offering a diplomatic smile, he answers "Well, I'm not fleeing from anything, no...." He, then, comes closer to the gnome and says in a hushed voice "I'm here on a special mission from the druids. I can't tell you about it", then winks.
He specifically leaves out the nature of his assignment on purpose, as it is a little embarrassing, and tries to change the subject saying "So, what is it that you study, in fact?"
Yalyaane kneels down to talk to the boy. "I am Yalyaane," she says by way of greeting. "What attacks? Are people in caravans not making it home?"
As he continues to eat a small snack from his days rations, Pash walks over toward the second cart with all the strange imagery on it.
"What is all of this for? If it is designed to ward off trouble by being... well, kinda creepy to be honest," the halfling shrugs at the driver in a way to imply that he means no offense by that, "then I would say that Dugal wasted his gold in hiring us, I would say. But then, some things do not believe in curses or creepiness. And some things are already creepy or cursed, so what is a bit more on top of it? So perhaps our being here is a good thing anyway."
Adir doesn't bother being quiet or anything, just walks in weapon drawn, Oh, Dugal... it's just you. What are you doing out here?
Chewing on his bit of dried meat, the boy gives you a look as if he is taken back by your question; “Did you sign on as caravan guard and not know about the attacks?” he begins to laugh a little; “Ha, at least you had a choice to be here. My name is Bren. Not sure what does the attackin’ but we heard it’s getting’ worse each day. They say a royal wagon was even take… who is brave, or stupid, enough to do such a thing?” he takes a swig from the water skin to make the dried meat go down easier.
The two of you are loud enough that when Dugal comes into view you see him tightening his belt; “What am I paying you for? To sneak out here to catch me doing my business, or to guard the caravan? With the two of you here there are only three left back with the wagons…” Dugal pulls his collapsible shovel free from the dirt, wipes it off, and folds it up. “Well we might as well get back and on the road again. Hope you two had enough to eat before trying to sneak up on me. Let’s go.” with a gesture to move on with the shovel, he sets off without waiting to see if the two of you follow.
At the mention of a special mission from the druids Findal perks up, but quickly tries to compose himself as to not seem overly excited. “Mission from the druids you say… You know, I have always been fascinated by their abilities to take the shapes of the beast of the wild. It has always caught my attention since a young boy. I have focused my study on the Transmutative Arcane powers.” You can see that this is something that he is passionate about. When he speaks of the druids Wild Shape powers, and even Transmutation magic, he gets excited and speaks a little faster. “If your mission for your druid sect takes you to Grayhaven, I would love to be a resource to you, if you would be a resource to me…”
As Pash begins to walk towards the second card one of the two acolytes moves to stay between him and the cart. “Please my Halfling friend, do not disturb the wagon. What is within must not be desecrated.” The acolyte does not move, but silently stands between you and the wagon.
Pash makes no move to go around the acolyte, though he does peek around his legs to get a better look.
"No need to worry about that, friend. Creepy and potentially cursing items bear no interest to halflings with brains. Now those that have fluff in their heads are another story, and you had best make sure that you stand in between them and it for their own protection, mind you. But for those with brains we know not to invite Very Bad Things upon our heads." The rogue nods to himself as if this should explain everything, finishing up his snack as he does.
"So what is so important as not to be disturbed, yet not so important as to be further back in the caravan? After all, anyone knows that you put the valuables in places harder to make off with. Hence all the valuables being dead center. Makes it so that bandits have to clear off multiple wagons and whatnot to steal easily, eh? Including your whatsits there, iff'en they want to go through the front instead of the back. Which might be easier, as those jugglers look like they mean business, if you know what I am saying." He smiles at the acolyte as he takes out his crossbow once more now that his snack is done, pointing it away from the man and his caravan.
Yalyaane looks concerned at Bren. "Then why are you here, Bren? I do not think that a perfumist and a wizard would travel if it were too risky. They always have valuables. And besides, we are the greatest guards in the land!" She strikes a fighting pose and grins.
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Ercio turns away from the wizard as the gnome didn't seem to notice that the druids' assignment wasn't exactly important and got excited. However, he didn't feel like correcting the transmuter yet.
He remembers reading at a younger age some entertaining series of novels about Mooshi the intrepid, a halfling who caused all sorts of trouble and got involved in funny and crazy adventures. Once he made friends with a powerful wizard by making her think he was an ambassador from the halflings. Maybe a wizard ally wouldn't be a bad idea, he thinks to himself.
"How can I be of service?", Ercio asks in reply.
...
The two of you are loud enough that when Dugal comes into view you see him tightening his belt; “What am I paying you for? To sneak out here to catch me doing my business, or to guard the caravan? With the two of you here there are only three left back with the wagons…” Dugal pulls his collapsible shovel free from the dirt, wipes it off, and folds it up. “Well we might as well get back and on the road again. Hope you two had enough to eat before trying to sneak up on me. Let’s go.” with a gesture to move on with the shovel, he sets off without waiting to see if the two of you follow....
+1 from Wis
Later on, when he and Adir are alone "You heard it too, right? Dugal was talking to someone out there. Why is Dugal talking to someone in the wilderness, and hiding it from the rest of us by doing it when he takes a shit?"
...
The two of you are loud enough that when Dugal comes into view you see him tightening his belt; “What am I paying you for? To sneak out here to catch me doing my business, or to guard the caravan? With the two of you here there are only three left back with the wagons…” Dugal pulls his collapsible shovel free from the dirt, wipes it off, and folds it up. “Well we might as well get back and on the road again. Hope you two had enough to eat before trying to sneak up on me. Let’s go.” with a gesture to move on with the shovel, he sets off without waiting to see if the two of you follow....
[dice=untrained sense motive check]1d20+1
+1 from WisLater on, when he and Adir are alone "You heard it too, right? Dugal was talking to someone out there. Why is Dugal talking to someone in the wilderness, and hiding it from the rest of us by doing it when he takes a s&&!?"
Adir Leads back, hand wavering near his blade, Of course i heard, it's suspicious, Who talks to themselves like that as their taking a dump? i don't trust him at this point, the hiring price was barely enough to cover a basic mercenary. Keep an eye out, this might be a ruse to lure people in for a bandit ambush or something...We should prepare the other mercenaries that came on, just in case..
Adir Leads back, hand wavering near his blade, Of course i heard, it's suspicious, Who talks to themselves like that as their taking a dump? i don't trust him at this point, the hiring price was barely enough to cover a basic mercenary. Keep an eye out, this might be a ruse to lure people in for a bandit ambush or something...We should prepare the other mercenaries that came on, just in case.....
The two of you are loud enough that when Dugal comes into view you see him tightening his belt; “What am I paying you for? To sneak out here to catch me doing my business, or to guard the caravan? With the two of you here there are only three left back with the wagons…” Dugal pulls his collapsible shovel free from the dirt, wipes it off, and folds it up. “Well we might as well get back and on the road again. Hope you two had enough to eat before trying to sneak up on me. Let’s go.” with a gesture to move on with the shovel, he sets off without waiting to see if the two of you follow....
[dice=untrained sense motive check]1d20+1
+1 from WisLater on, when he and Adir are alone "You heard it too, right? Dugal was talking to someone out there. Why is Dugal talking to someone in the wilderness, and hiding it from the rest of us by doing it when he takes a s&&!?"
"Do you want to do the talking? I'm not very good with strangers and lots of people... "
Yalyaane notices Adir and Mezdav leaving the forest and waves.
Edit, post dice:
Mezdav notices Yalyanne waving.
Speaking quietly to Adir "Hey, that Yalyanne lady seemed friendly when we met before signing on with the caravan. You could talk to her"
Mezdav waves back to Yalyanne, motioning her to join them...
The man studies the Halfling as he is talking. Not making any intention to interrupt Pash while he is speaking. Once Pash if finished. “I assure you what is within this wagon is no more or less creepy or cursed than you standing before me. Within this wagon is the remains of man. He had paid for a service that upon death he would be transported to the temple of Pharasma in Grayhaven, where he would meet the high priest. We merely do not want curiosities to open the wagon and break the spell that prevents the remains from decomposing.”
“As far as wagon order goes, that is not my call. That would be up to the caravan master, Dugal.” The acolyte continues so stand silently, seemingly paying no mind to your crossbow. You would assume that he knows you are one of the caravan guards and doesn’t think anything of your weaponry.
You hear Dugal approaching from the woods with Adir & Mezdav not too far behind. Dugal is going on about something.
Bren smiles and laughs a small laugh as you pose. He tries to take a similar pose, but topples into you a bit as he tried to outdo you. Slowly the laugh fades and he continues; “My ma and pa could not afford to feed me. My family works the field a week’s ride west of Mara. I’m the youngest and could not work with them. They sold me to Dugal about a year ago. It’s been fun, but I miss home.” Bren gets quiet. “I’m glad you are here.”
Suddenly you hear Dugal approaching from the woods with Adir & Mezdav not too far behind. Dugal is going on about something.
A smile comes upon Findal’s face. “I know druids can be secretive when it comes to their groves. I would love to be taken to one and be able to study the druid’s natural transmutation powers first hand. If you can help me with this, I will help you with a task of your choosing… What do you say, do we have a deal?”
Findal slowly extends his hand to shake in agreement. Findal’s eyes shoot to the wood line as you begin to hear Dugal approaching from the woods with Adir & Mezdav not too far behind. Dugal is going on about something.
From Mezdav’s SM check and Adir taking 10, you are unsure of what Dugal was doing… but you also have proof to suspect him of foul play. Your characters would do what they’d like with that knowledge.
Dugal is going on about who knows what as himself, Adir, and Mezdav appear from the woods. As Dugal approaches his wagon he shouts loud enough that even Final and Ercio at the back can hear Dugal clearly; “That’s been long enough of a break. Let’s load up and be on our way. We won’t be stopping until we make camp for the night.”
Approaching Bren and Yalyaane; “Did you make sure the horses were fed and watered? We need to make sure they have the energy to cover as much ground as we can. I don’t want to be on this road any longer than need be.” Bren nods as he moves to take the feed bags off of Dugal’s horses, but not before flashing Yalyaane a smile.
“He’s a good boy. Hard to grow up on the road, but before he is a man he will have seen the world and know how to handle himself." Chuckling to himself; "Go easy on the boy, but you might want to check your pockets. He is quick with his hands." Continuing to chuckle, he climbs upon the drivers bench readying to move on.
You check your pockets and where one of your calls where, you find a small stone. Almost perfect size for skipping.