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Ercio was glad Dugal interrupted Findal's proposal. After the announcement, he says "Well, you have to be careful. Druids can go crazy the moment they transform, so they might attack you without notice", increasing his lie. Then, he finishes "But, hey, I'm studying their way as well, so if you're lucky, and survive, you may see me transforming. However, doing it as a performance would not be proper, I'm afraid." Then, he offers his hand for a new implied agreement, smiling.
When the caravan restarts, Ercio calls Bumi to his side to walk close enough to Findal to continue the conversation. His smile fades, however, as he figures out he might have been tricked into admitting he was an apprentice druid.
I'm not really a people person either, but i'll try i suppose. He whispers, going over to Yalyaane May we speak, it's important? He looks up at the taller humanoid woman, speaking in a calm tone. We saw something in the forest.
Pash nods at the acolyte, though it is clear he is slightly confused.
Why would someone waste their gold to have their corpse transitioned to another city... are there not clerics of Pharasma and Boneyards a plenty in Mara? He sighs. Rich people. Making problems for the rest of us even after their 'untimely' demises.
His mental thoughts are interrupted by the call of Dugal to get ready to move out once more. "Well, that is my cue to start walking in a more vigilant and protective manner. May the road be a pleasant one to drive." With a nod, he walks back toward the others to take up his position in the detail.
The halfling rogue smiles as he walks up to his fellow guardians, waving his free hand as he does.
"Hallo all. Did you know we have a dead guy in our caravan? At least, that is what the big'uns attending to the second wagon told me. How odd is that, eh? Paying to have your body moved cities after you pass."
His smile wanes a bit as he sees the serious expressions on Adir and Mezdav's faces. "What? Is it somehow taboo to speak of such things? If so, why did the... I guess they would be priests or ministers, speak so freely of them to me? Do you have to have some sort of calling from a deity for it not to be taboo?"
Before Bren disappears, Yalyaane gives him another dazzling smile, not wanting to say much in front of Dugal.
Hmm,[//i] Yalyaane thinks to herself, feeling the smooth shape of the stone. [i]Children sold into servitude. It seems to happen everywhere. However, Dugal does not seem unkind. We shall see... She methodically checks her mule and strolls over to Adir and Mezdav.
With a blow of his signal whistle and a shout; "We're moving on. Come along or stay behind, no difference to me." Dugal looks down and sees his hired caravan guards pooling together; "Except you five, can't have the hired blades leaving the caravan."
With a click of his tongue and a slight whip of the excess reign, causes the draft horses to move on.
We're Coming Dugal, give us a minute. Hire merc's need to plan to keep you people safe. more time to rest that sore back you were complaining about Adir motions the other hiree's over .
No, We overheard Dugal talking to someone angrily in the forest, Said he was taking a dump when we went in to check it out... No one talks to themselves like that. Somethings going on, be prepared for an attack or something
"He came back alone, and no one went out with him, at least that I saw"
Pash just cocks his head to one side. "Angrily? As in he was not happy with the person or the person was not happy with him? Was the other voice male or female sounding? Did you get a look at their size or just hear their voice? And besides, why would he deliberately hire guards only to try to rob the thing? Wouldn't it be easier just to say to his caravaneers that 'we don't need them' or 'we can't afford them, travel at your own risk', or even 'these dwarven muscles be all th' protecten' ye need' than to risk accidentally hiring someone to thwart a robbery he was in on?" Pash takes a breath, and adds, "Or better yet, wouldn't it have made sense to bring at least one of us in on it in that case, so as to have an inside man?"
Pash nods as if that made the most sense... then after a moment thinks to add, "No, for the record I am not aware of any such plan. If one of us is 'in on it' it is not me. Promise." Satisfied that this should be acceptable enough, he nods again.
Yalyaane looks concerned.
"He plans to scuttle the caravan, then, or make a clandestine stop to sell something from a wagon. Then why even hire us, as Pash said? I wonder if it is to frame us. Or we are to be sold..."
The hillfolk woman scratches her cheek. "We need to make sure we are all able to communicate, by sight and sound. Some sort of whistle signal. And when we sleep in watches, we watch Dugal."
She spreads her hands with an embarrassed smile. "I am guilty of being a somewhat trusting person. Dugal has a servant, possibly a slave. We should be careful of trusting anyone here. Even though he gave me a pretty stone. Anyhow...those of us with better judgment may want to watch Dugal for signs that he will do something."
She idly plucks some grass and lets it fall, watching it scoot in bizarre angles away from her to a distance of five paces instead of twirling directly to the ground.
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Ercio hears the discussion thinking the city people are a little strange. He may have been talking to himself, now they think he'll turn everyone to slaves. And why were they so fast to start trusting each other when they think not everyone is trustworthy.
To the group, he only nodded in agreement, frowning.
The rest of this days ride is rather uneventful. You are able to have any conversations you would like between the group of you or with any of the other travelers.
At one point Findal waves Ercio over to his cart and pats the seat next to him. "Come on up, we have a few details to iron out." "We never did conclude our arrangement when Dugal came bursting from the trees. Shall we agree to our terms? You help me to meet a druid sect and learn about their transmutation powers, and even learn about yours as the develop. In trade for a favor granted from me, to you. Do we have a deal?" He holds out his hand once again.
Evening takes over the sky and Dugal's wagon begins to slow and eventually stop. Those who are at the front of the caravan sees Dugal climb down from his wagon. Pointing just off the path; "There, that will be the place we make camp. I have stayed there once or twice on my travels. Bren my boy, get the tents and bedrolls set up."
Looking from the caravan, off to the west side, you see a slight clearing. From the looks of he clearing the spot seems to be a commonly known resting point for travelers on this road. The ground is hard packed, even a circle of stone for a fire.
Once camp is set and the fire is lit everyone is able to rest from the long days ride, or walk for those who did not have a horse. Some of the members of the caravan stay camped besides their wagon due to the goods or items within, others come and layout bedrolls under the starry sky to rest for the night.
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Ercio looks at Findal a little worried. He walks close to the caravan, so as not to leave Bumi walking alone. "I can only promise to get you to meet one of my masters, not the whole sect. But we can study the transformation together. I hope to be able to achieve it one day.", he says. He feels sure about helping the wizard, but only far enough to learn about the transformation himself. The sacred animal form is not supposed to be written about in a scholar's study. However, this wizard might end up helping him accelerate his learning.
Thinking of what the others were talking about earlier, Ercio is worried about ambushes. He gathers the guards from before and comments "We should set up watches. Where do you think should be more vulnerable? If Dugal means to ambush us, we should be extra careful and be able to communicate on short notice. I don't have good night vision... yet. Someday I will. Bumi here does. Anyway, how about we make these sounds to announce different things?"
He goes on producing several sounds to indicate danger, come quietly, safe and I need immediate help. Then, he measures how the others react to his proposal to see if someone is trying to hide some reaction to his plan.
He also scans the perimeter to see if he can find the most vulnerable spots.
Afterwards, he tells Bumi to hide close to him with the Sneak trick
Yalyaane imitates the sounds and nods. "The fire will obscure night vision, even those with extremely good night vision. And the cold will keep the person on watch awake. I'll take second watch. "
Pash, strangely enough, is silent on the trip once they start off once more, giving one word answers at most to questions... and sometime only grunts.
This seeming embargo on speech ends once the caravan stops for the day. Pulling out his tent, the halfling begins to set it up with care slightly away from everyone else. Once set up, he lays out his bedroll and blanket, stowing the pack within it and pulling out the rest of his ration for the day he sits around with his fellow guards, munching away on bread, nuts, dried fruits, honey, and sausages.
"I'm not a hafling that can see well in the dark. Well, any better than an average halfling or human I mean. Not like I can't see if the moon is out or if we have a fire or some other source of light."
As he listens to the intricate calls from Ercio, he nods away enthusiastically, bits of his meal occasionally dribbling down his chin from the motion.
"Those are some fancy sounds. Yes, very pretty sounding. That said, I haven't always the sense to listen to sounds like those. Even if I did hear one, I might sit and just listen to it for its beauty. Not a good idea if you are trying to warn me of danger or get my attention, sadly. Perhaps it would be wiser just to say so in a low tone. Or perhaps in gnomish... gnomish is a fun language, and I would understand without others necessarily being able to."
Pash nods, as if this somehow settled something, and then sits next to his tent. "I will take first watch. I may not be sighted for darkness, but I am hard to see in the dark. I might get the drop on our friend if he tries something."
So saying, Pash sits lower to the ground, almost blending into it.
I can see in the dark, so give me the early morning when it is darkest just before dawn. I have to admit, I don't think I can make animal calls like that, so I will just shout...
Mezdav hangs his hammock between 2 wagons, setting up his bedroll and blankets inside. After caring for his mule, he makes an early night of it, pulling the canvas cover of the hammock over him, so he will be rested for the dawn watch. He sleeps with his light armor and his cestus on. His pack is hooked underneath the hammock, his longspear leaned against one of the wagons.
When it is his watch, he will follow Pash's example and hide.
+6 skill -2 acp
Yalyaane busies herself during her watch, making little bundles of twigs and whittling the ends into fine curls, then placing them on low branches of trees. She doesn't bother to be stealthy during her watch, instead walking around each of the wagons in a wide circle around the camp.
Before and after, she sleeps by her mule.
Everyones watch shift comes and goes without any issues.
Those that are are not awake by the end of the third watch awaken to the sound of people gathering their tents, bedrolls, and other belongings. The fire is no longer ablaze, only a few remaining embers smoldering.
As you gather your belongings you notice that the sky is overcast completely blocking out the sun. By the time the wagons are all loaded and the caravans is back on the road it has begun to sprinkle. By the time mid-morning arrives it is a full on thunderstorm. Thankfully, the road is currently packed hard enough that the wagon wheels are not sinking into the mud. The day is a miserable one to travel when not in the cover of a wagon, and to make matters worse the rain is causing the entire caravan to move at a slower pace.
Suddenly, out of the corner of those on the east side (left side) of the caravans eyes, you hear a growl as creature burst out from the underbrush. The creature is fast as the lightning overhead. It seems to jump out, bite one of the travelers accompanying the caravan, and pull them into the woods in a single fluid motion. It all happened so quickly that the person taken did not make a noise until they were in the woods.
The horses begin to nervously step about as they are startled, the drivers struggle to regain control. The travelers begin to scream as they move closer to the wagons. Some produce daggers and short swords.
Those on the west side (right side) do not see this, they only hear what is happening.
The creature at first glance looked to be a wolf with black fur. It could have been your eyes playing tricks on you, but it seemed as if the creature stood taller than wolves you have encountered in the past.
You can hear the blood curdling screams of the man taken... What do you do?
This creature is a Worg. It may look like an oversized wolf, but it is something more evil than that. These intelligent creatures are known to be leaders in wolf packs, and even work with goblinoid creatures.
Their intelligence grants them the ability to quarantine attacks and even speak common and goblin.
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Ercio instinctively assumes a fighting position. He takes out his sling and Bumi crouches looking around. "The man can still be saved!", he said. Ideally he would let nature takes its course, but he had been hired to protect the caravan. Also, people were saying that the creature was like a wolf but stood taller, so he imagined what it could be.
Afterwards, he goes with Bumi after the man's screaming noise, with Bumi leading.
"Attack on left flank! Some kind of wolf! They come in packs so move CAUTIOUSLY!"
Yalyaane takes a moment to make herself deadlier with a crossbow and moves to the edge of the woods.
Pash, having been on the left side but toward the back, barely saw the man disappear before him.
Great. Invisible humans. The thought proves errant, however, as he soon hears the screams. The halfling immediately crouches down and starts tracking the woods with his hand crossbow.
"Something caused someone to disappear. Anyone got eyes on it?"
Perhaps I can get a clean shot on it if it doesn't see that I am there. So thinking, Pash keeps low to the ground, hoping that the larger folks might prove to be a more visible (or appetizing) target.
Mezdav is on the back right - he didn't see the attack, only hears the screams. Can he make the K Arcana check? Can it be made untrained?
but, assuming both are yes,
Edit: no need for Squirrel Ninja to worry...
Finally, he puts away the loaded sling (with a rock, not a bullet) he was travelling with for small game hunting, and pulls out his longspear. As he does this, he looks around, taking a perception check on his "sector", this thing might have friends around.
Mezdav is on the back right - he didn't see the attack, only hears the screams. Can he make the K Arcana check? Can it be made untrained?
Adir wakes up and draws his greatsword immediately on guard, Everyone wake, we're under assault! He gathers at the camp center point. He scans around looking for any sign of enemies
Pash, Erico and Bumi move into the woods following the sounds of a man being attacked. Through the brush, 30 feet ahead you see the creature mauling the man. It currently does not detect you.
Adir draws his blade protecting the caravan with Mezdav. Yalyaane, standing at the edge of the woods, can hear the mauling but cannot see what is happening.
Initiative
Surprise Round: Pash, Erico & Bumi
Adir
Mezdav
Ercio
Yalyaane
Pash
X
Pash takes careful aim and looses a bolt at the creature, watching with some satisfaction as it embeds itself into its hide.
"Well, time to earn our pay I suppose."
Mezdav delays... he will act if he sees something.
Yalyaane looses her crossbow bolt, trying not to hit Ercio or the mauled man.
The bolt is fouled in her string and plops to the ground. "Cow dung," she spits, and loads another, moving forward to get near the beast.
Erico and Pash's bolts both strike true dealing significant damage. Brumi also charges in to attack the creature landing its attack. It tries to trip the creature unsuccessfully. The creature releases the man from its maw, dropping it lifeless on the ground. It turns towards Brumi and lets out a deep guttural growl.
Initiative
Adir
Mezdav
Ercio
Yalyaane
Pash
X
Mezdav maneuvers to between the last pair of wagons, so he can see both sides of the caravan. He looks around on the east side;
Taking a new bolt from the quiver, Pash reloads his crossbow and takes aim once more.
Trying not to hit his fellow guardsman's pet, however, causes the rogue's bolt to go sailing above every one and every things heads into the forest beyond.
"Well, not going to be finding that one again. Watch out, those teeth look sharp." It is not clear if the halfling is talking to himself or the others...
Adir jams his sword into the ground and pulls out his Slingstaff, preparing to shoot at the nearest beast he see's
Mezdav is holding his post with ease of seeing both sides of the caravan. You can hear the sounds of battle where the other guards had ran after the man who was taken, but you do no see any other threats. What you do see is spooked people trying to calm down spooked horses.
With your perception check you do see Dugal just at the edge of the woods where the guards went to retrieve the man. He is standing besides Bren, pointing to where you could only assume the battle is taking place. Bren is fidgeting with a dagger, Dugal has his hand gripping a hammer.
With the quick thinking barrage of attacks from the party the large sized wolf falls to the ground. With an easy examination you do realize that the creature is not dead, just unconscious. Though the same could not be said for the caravan traveler. There are vicious bite marks on the mans leg, neck, and chest. His life has poured out under him and is being soaked up by the ground below.
With the sound of battle behind you, you can still hear the people trying to reign in the horses that were spooked by the fast attack of this creature.
With your knowledge nature check you believe that this is some kind of oversized wolf. Must be very old to have grown this large, yet no gray mar the deep black fur. It truly is a beautiful specimen once you have a chance to look it over.
"Is it dead?" Pash asks those closer as he reloads his crossbow once more. "It looks dead from here. And I think I would rather stay this far from it, all things being equal. Which they rarely are, but that isn't the expression."
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Ercio calms down Bumi and stops him from finishing the beast off. To Pash, he says "It's not dead, only unconscious. Maybe we shouldn't kill it yet. It is one of a kind. However, I feel like it could have been tempered with. Here, let me check."
Ercio, then speaks some ancient words and his senses change, so he can feel the presence of magic.
He also studies the wolf some, examining it very thoroughly. He tries to figure out the creature's age, sex, exact species, weak points and if there is a pack nearby that they should be aware of.
Ercio considers the man and says "Did this man leave any loved ones? Who knew him in the caravan, can you tell?"
Yalyaane joins Ercio, looking at the wolf.
"Can you tell what it is, Ercio? It's shaped differently than the wolves I know," she says.
The sounds of battle having died off, slide back to check the west side of the caravan.
then Mezdav shouts,
Pash just shakes his head.
"Surely, would it not be safer to study it after we kill it? I mean, it has killed already, after all. I haven't seen any cages to keep it safely like a pet, nor muzzles to keep it from lashing out."
The halfling nods and keeps his crossbow pointed at the creature, ready to shoot at the first sign of it stirring.