Nasir shrugs at the information about Jana Gold and responds to Garleena.
"It's unfortunate that we missed her, but I think we have learned what we need to know from our visits around town today. Thank you for attempting to arrange the meeting for us. We'll have to try to catch her when we return to town.
With that, I think it would be a good time for an early supper. I for one want to make sure all of my equipment is in order before we march into the Churlwood bright and early in the morning. Is that an agreeable plan for everyone?"
Nasir turns to Garleena to ask a favor.
"Mistress Gaeleena, in addition to supper right now, could we bother you for an early breakfast as well? We want to move out at first light, if possible."
Starday, 16th of Gozran, 4720 AR
The sun rises on another spring day. Clouds roll by, but no rain comes. Your spirits drop just a little when no rain falls, as the Cove and the surrounding area could use some.
Gregory Hatfield awakens, having dreamed of runes and a broken rapier that speaks in Corstela Rostrata's voice. "You want to hold me! Hold me, I'm everything you've ever wanted," it says.
Roscoe, on the other hand, dreams of a huge library, where the books fly about, speaking their knowledge to any who-- The halves of books flutter to the ground, forming a maze, at the end of which is knowledge and love. When the halfling arises in the morning, just as he opens his eyes, he swears he sees spirits of trickery and magic and anger dart away, out of sight. He has a hard time breathing, until he realizes that his medallion has twisted around his neck, quite tightly.
Ayita awakens and tends to her companions and remembers her cousin's note. Hopefully, they won't come by looking for her tonight, as Ayita thinks the heroes will likely be in the Churlwood for perhaps a day or more.
Leaving town, the group heads up the Chavali River towards Hallen's Ferry. Roderic’s Cove sits on the northern bank of the Chavali River, and the Churlwood borders the river’s southern bank. The Chavali averages a thousand feet wide in this area, so swimming across is not the best option. Where the Chavali grows shallow for a short stretch, is Hallen's Ferry.
After five miles of travel the road turns down to the river where twin rows of mismatched wooden pilings protrude from the water of the Chavali. This was originally intended to be the site of a bridge that would cross the river and continue the road south along the edge of the Churlwood, but plans for its construction fell apart after the pilings were driven into the river. Yet, Covers are tenacious, and rather than abandon this handy link to the south side of the river, Hallen Rosker, a resident of the Cove, took it upon herself to set up a ferry service that uses a barge attached to a set of ropes hung between the pilings. She's has been providing ferrying services along this incomplete bridge for the last couple of years.
Looking about quickly finds Hallen herself sitting sitting in a comfortable chair, smoking a pipe. Her small barge sits tethered to a small dock nearby.
"Well, hello Little Greggy!" she says, her frown breaking into a rare smile. She tips her green hat and squints out of her seamed face at the heroes. "What brings you and your friends to the Chavali?"
It is nice to be back on an assignment that puts me in the wilderness again. Embassy duty has its perks, but getting a good march, or even better - a good ride!, is exhilarating. Let's see if my old training is still serviceable.
Nasir spots some tracks on the ground and is excited to know that he still has some tracking ability.
"Looks like there are some recent wagon tracks heading in the direction we are going. From the looks of it, it a heavily loaded Varisian traveler's wagon or Wanderer as it is called locally. Let's hope it's a trader's wagon and not the Order getting a head start."
When Nasir arrives at the dock with the group, he is a bit distracted trying to work out how far ahead the wagon is.
Seeing that the ferry owner seems to know Doc, Nasir lets Doc take the lead.
Roscoe tinkers with the medallion around his neck, still almost feeling it constricting.
Geez--with great power comes bad dreams. Perhaps from all the tarts I ate, I guess.
When Nasir notices the tracks, Roscoe concurs. "I think you're dead on--I've seen enough of those come through to recognize the tracks anywhere," he says.
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Before we left the Cove, Ayita would need to try to make some arrangements... the Churlwood is south, but Riddleport is north -- so we might miss the Cousins.
So Ayita asks Ter to take one last look for the Cousins near Town before we leave.
Then she asks Galeena to treat her cousins to a good meal if they come by, and let them know she plans to be back (from the south) in (how long is a reasonable time period to get to the Churlwood and back?)
On the road... Ayita looks at the wagon, trying to see if it looks like one of her cousin's. (Though how could it be, down here?) She asks Ter to help look, and then soar up higher above us to see if a wagon is visible.
Ter flies high and over the Chavali, but finds no sign of the wagon along the Coast Road. Within the Churlwood the trees are quite thick and prevent Ter from seeing the ground.
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"Well, hello Little Greggy!" she says, her frown breaking into a rare smile. She tips her green hat and squints out of her seamed face at the heroes. "What brings you and your friends to the Chavali?"
Hatfield laughs, "We're gonna show our new friend here the area!"
He sighs, "Seriously, though. Somethin' ain't right. Ye musta heard that Sir Roderic's ghost made an appearance in tha Cove. He was all fired up 'bout stuff goin' on, an' we aim ta set things right. Y'know, put tha founder ta a peaceful rest."
"Truthfully, though, we ain't too sure o' tha details. We're on a bit of a wild goose chase ta see what we can find out. Can ye help us get across tha river?"
He sighs, "Seriously, though. Somethin' ain't right. Ye musta heard that Sir Roderic's ghost made an appearance in tha Cove. He was all fired up 'bout stuff goin' on, an' we aim ta set things right. Y'know, put tha founder ta a peaceful rest."
"I KNOW! I heard. Ladia Kelstrop was down here the other day with my order and she said that she saw it all happen. Svaci says that Ladia doesn't know her ass from a tea-kettle, but then, of course Svaci would say that. Did you see Larenza or Julit Freson along the way? Said they'd come down now that Varna's teamsters are reportin' more goblin activity along the edge of the woods. Wouldn't that be just what we need? Ghosts and goblins to frighten us to death. Or eat us. Yup yup! Seriously, watch yourself. Goblins are gettin' bolder. Speaking of guard-captain Freson, did you hear? Word is that she and Blackberry are gonna visit Miesalo Salen at the Temple of Stars and Roads next holiday to get hitched. Ha! At least we know who'll do the desserts! Not Ladia, I wager! Ha! Blackberry tarts for all, yup yup! Mmmmm, I may just need to swing by and give 'em my well-wishes. At least the sermon won't be long and dirge-y. Miesalo will whip out his lute at 'I do' and start playing. Did you ever think that he wasn't really cut our for priestin' and just wants a stage to sing on? At least Desil up at the Lady's Chapel has his goddess' favor, ya know? REAL priest-like. Magic and all. Speaking of the Chapel, did you hear that elf-girl helping at the Boneyard said only one of them Fangs had a mark on 'im? All the others, SCARED TO DEATH! GHOSTS, yup yup! Anyhows, did you hear that--"
"Truthfully, though, we ain't too sure o' tha details. We're on a bit of a wild goose chase ta see what we can find out. Can ye help us get across tha river?"
"Well, of COURSE, I can help you across the river. Four coppers each. Yup yup, gotta make a livin'. Except you, foreigner. Price ain't four for you," she says, looking closely at Nasir. The Qadiran isn't quite sure what she means, until, "Only three coppers for you. I like the twist 'a yer hemp, hey hey. A woman's gotta make a livin' but you IS a bit of livin', to my eyes, yup yup. Anyhows, lemme, get the barge ready for ya."
She waves you onto the barge. It will only take a short while to cross the Chavali, but no doubt it will be a short while packed with town gossip.
Nasir is surprised by the volume of town gossip coming from Hallen.
"The light of dawn to you, timanah. Nasir al-Rafik Kamal at your service."
Nasir makes a short bow.
"I thank you for the complement and your hospitality. It is an honor to traverse the river with someone as knowledgeable as you. I am impressed with how much you know about the activities in town with your business so far from it.
Tell me, have you had any other passengers this morning? Or perhaps seen a traveler's wagon pass by today? If so, what can you tell me about them?
Also, as we are going across the river into the Churlwood, what can you tell me of recent goblin activity and movements. Any intelligence on them will be useful to help avoid encountering them or aid in combating them during our journey."
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Roscoe rolls his eyes at the thought of pulling out his coin purse.
"Three coppers! You've got to be kidding me! You should be paying us for doing good things--or at least letting us go for free! Good grief!"
Placing each copper in her hand is nearly as difficult as having three teeth extracted.
The halfling stows his coin purse on the bottom of his backpack. "I'll spend no more today. If I have to cross this again, I'll swim back," he says, eyeing the distant shore. "And why did he get a discount!?"
As they prepare to board, the halfling takes his breastplate off. "Is anyone else feeling--weak today?" he asks.
Roscoe rolls his eyes at the thought of pulling out his coin purse.
"Three coppers! You've got to be kidding me! You should be paying us for doing good things--or at least letting us go for free! Good grief!"
Placing each copper in her hand is nearly as difficult as having three teeth extracted.
”It’s FOUR for you, Roscoe Elring, you good fer nothing layabout! You heard me,” Hallen says clearly, keeping her hand out.
Frantino pays his 4 cp. "Worth every copper, Hallen, as always! Beats swimming, especially in this armor. I know you're capable but let me know if you need a hand."
Roscoe shakes his head. The halfling that, the day before, had purchased a gold worth of blackberry tarts without a moment's hesitation, now seems much too-concerned over a copper piece.
"Can someone give me a copper?" he asks as he returns Hallen's level gaze.
Nasir laughs after hearing Roscoe's request.
"Maybe she'll take payment in tarts? You had to have quite few left over from buying that entire cart full of them yesterday. Or have I underestimated your ability to eat, halfling?
Either way, I'm not getting involved in a clearly personal matter like this."
After he hands Hallen the coins for his trip, Nasir chuckles to himself as he boards the barge.
"Tell me, have you had any other passengers this morning? Or perhaps seen a traveler's wagon pass by today? If so, what can you tell me about them?"
"Well, handsome stranger, I haven't had any customers today. A few days ago I had a Varisian Wanderer come through. Those wagons sure are kitted out, yup yup. Painted brightly. Gear hanging all over it. I could hear the pots and pans clanging around inside. Looked like it could take lots more than just the three that were on it. Whole family could ride in that thing. Yup yup, easy space for more than just the woman and her two brothers. Cousins, maybe. They weren't talkative with me. Overheard 'em saying they were actually missing a fourth. Her sister, maybe? Hard to tell with these Varisians. Cousin, sister, niece, daughter, mother. Odd theys was just three. Whole passel of 'em usually travel together, extended family, yup yup."
"I did see a boat downriver a bit this morning at early sunup, yup yup. Guessn' they had more than my little barge could transport in one go. Otherwises, wouldn't be cost effective. Rounded the point yonder, see, right there, if'n ya look. Didn't see it afterwards. Must still be there," she says, pointing downriver towards the river mouth where it widens out into the Gulf. Most boats will run aground further upstream, so it likely hugged the Coast near the Road further south."
"Also, as we are going across the river into the Churlwood, what can you tell me of recent goblin activity and movements. Any intelligence on them will be useful to help avoid encountering them or aid in combating them during our journey."
"Well, sweetheart, yer friends here can tell ya all ya need to know about the gobbos 'round here. The Bramblemouth tribe. Love to pierce their lips with tusks and teeth and such. All gobbos like fire, 'a course. Expect fire arrows. They HATE dogs and horses. So, the girl here and her wolfpup will keep 'em off you, likely. They're pack hunters. If'n ya just encounter one, it'll be to harry you and throw offal and laugh at'cha. When they leave, expect the worst in a bit, cuz they're 'goin' fer friends to gang up on ya. Stay on the road. You'll be right as rain, yup yup. Now, if'n those Varisians earlier didn't have their wagon and horses, I woulda been worried, but... the gobbos stick to the trees, especially when longshanks and their horses are about."
"The Bramblemouth tribe. Love to pierce their lips with tusks and teeth and such.""Tusks an' teeth? That doesn't sound sanitary..."
”Ha! Little Greggy, I ain’t never heard nobody say ‘sanitary’ about goblins, yup yup.”
That's a relief that she hasn't seen any of the Order pass. We are going to have to keep an eye out for them in addition to the goblins.
"Sounds like I'll need to keep my sword sharp and my shield up when we get to the other side. What I wouldn't give for a fine horse to ride down these creatures and speed our travels. But alas, I seem to be thwarted at every turn from obtaining my birthright. One day I shall obtain a fine steed. Maybe not a genie-touched horse, but a fine beast nonetheless.
So Hallen, any ideas of what has gotten the goblins more restive recently?
I'm also curious what you have observed of the Order of Resplendence? They seem an oddity in town."
Roscoe growls as no one will give him a copper and Nasir seems to be making light of it. His medallion tingles as he hands over another copper.
"Highway robbery if you ask me," he mutters.
Feeling his coin purse much lighter, he says "We better get going--we need to make some coin on this expedition just to pay the exorbitant fees."
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Ayita looks up when she hears about what sounds like her cousins...
Why did they go straight past the town and come this way? What are they doing?
Thank you very much for the very useful information, Hallen! My family has had very bad experiences with some goblin tribes.
She hands over 4 coppers and a blackberry muffin to Hallen. The muffins won't stay good forever...
I wonder if the boat is still down the river there, and if that wagon is on it... Ter, would you mind taking a quick look from above?
Ter will try for a glimpse:
Ayita will also communicate to Ter and Yazhi to help watch for attackers, once we get away from our usual haunts.
"Highway robbery if you ask me," he mutters.
"Ha!" says Hallen.
I wonder if the boat is still down the river there, and if that wagon is on it... Ter, would you mind taking a quick look from above?
"KAW! Yes!" Ter calls and leaps into the air, flying high again. She rises and rises on thermals until she's nearly unseen by the naked eye. She's gone for a bit, winging downriver.
Hallen's barge (raft?) slowly crosses the river. The small woman is not frail. She pulls on the ferry ropes that span the river, and pulls, and pulls, and pulls as if she'll never stop and never gets tired. Eventually, the barge approaches the far bank of the Chavali River.
Ayita can feel Ter returning, her emotions intruding on Ayita's mind. She's placid and unhurried. But as she gets closer and Ayita can eventually spot her, Ter's emotions become urgent and concerned. She flies straight back to the barge and Ayita without a single nicety.
"KAW! Boat floats off land. Stays in one place. Four men on boat. No sign of wagon or Cousins. KAW! But across river RIGHT HERE RIGHT HERE two men and one woman. TALONS! Have metal talons! Need ride across river on boat?"
Hallen looks ahead and yes, emerging from hidden in the treeline are three people. Two rough looking men and one jaunty woman wearing a blue hat with a giant red feather stuck in it.
Hallen spits <PTEW!> "Roadkeepers. And Lullaby at that. She's a piece of work. Just pay the fee and you'll be fine, yup yup."
Well, I guess I get to test out my new breastplate and scimitar earlier than expected...
Nasir readies his shield and draws his sword as the barge draws near the shore.
"Perhaps they would like to parley? Gregory Hatfield, please attempt to negotiate with these Roadkeepers. You do the talking, and I'll do the slicing if it comes to that.
We'll see if we can hang on to more of your coin, Roscoe."
Frantino casually draws his greatsword.
"Don't worry, Doc, we got your back."
"Howdy. Y'all mind if we git outta this here boat first? I'm feelin' a bit queasy."
[dice=diplomacy]1d20+8
"Of course, good sir. Please, getting sick on Hallen's ferry would be terrible! Welcome to the scenic Churlwood and Coast Road. I am your local road guardian and manager, Lullaby Vancaskerkin and these are my associates, Jug and Keg." <THWIP!> An arrow flies from the trees and plants itself in the riverbank dirt, just in front of where Gregory Hatfield is disembarking.
"And THAT is Siona. She's mad. I made her not shoot the last people we 'helped.'"
Jug and Keg smirk and step forward, placing themselves between Lullaby and the ferry.
"It pains me to ask for charity, but we'd so appreciate a donation to help us keep this dangerous forest patrolled and the road free from clutter and overgrowth. It is hard work and we can't just keep doing it without support. Just a small 10 gold piece donation. Each."
Hallen gasps. "Time for me to go. Good luck to you. Off my boat, yup yup. Go go."
Frantino casually draws his greatsword.
"Don't worry, Doc, we got your back."
"Oh, dear! Drawing down on us already? That's a bit premature, don't you think Jug? Keg?" asks the cheeky woman, Lullaby.
"Yup. Preem-cher," says Jug.
"You see, your friend here is terribly unthreatening. And then you go and spoil the atmosphere by drawing that terribly large sword. MAYBE, you're trying to do the good captain, bad captain thing. He's all 'dottering doctor-like' and you're all 'threaty and broody,'" suggests Lullaby.
"Heh. Yeah. Threaty," says Jug.
"Broody," chimes in Keg.
Roscoe can't believe what he's hearing.
"Why does everyone think they'r getting my coin!" he exclaims in bewilderment. "I'm in the business of acquiring coins, not dissembling them!"
Raising his hands in front of him, he says "Now, I don't want a fight, I'm not feeling so strong today for some reason. But I'm not paying you a red copper to get through here, and you have the gall to ask for ten gold! Each! Now, why don't you all back off and have your heads checked. Let's call it a day, no?"
Listening to their call-and-response-like banter, Hatfield offers: "Y'all ever though 'bout startin' a singin' group? Seems that yer in sync with each other."
[dice=Perform Comedy untrained]1d20+4
”Heh. They’re funny, Jug,” says Keg, pulling his sap out of his belt.
”Yeah, Kegger, but... “ Jug stage whispers, ”Lullaby don’t like jokes much.”
”No, Jug, I do not. I MUCH prefer gold,” says Lullaby. ”Guess it’s the hard way. You know the rules, boys.”
”OK, boss,” Jug says. ”What about the dog?”
”Don’t kill it. Looks like a good pet for us. Will help keep the gobbos off us. Just knock it out. We’ll teach it who’s boss later,” says Lullaby as she steps back a bit.
Nasir confidently steps off the boat, blade light and ready in his hand.
"I think your protection is as rare as a camel in Katheer. It's funny how bandits are all the same no matter what country you are in.”
He raises his sword to salute them.
"Sarenrae aimnahhum almawt alsarie. I wonder, do you dance the blades as well as you negotiate?"
Nasir quickly looks over to Frantino and grins.
"At least these are starting out alive."
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From behind Hatfield's head, Ter pipes up:
I heard a couple of goblins discussing two competing criminological theories – social control and strain – that build the
framework for two pathways after release from prison – desistance or recidivism. It sounded like they were working on a scholarly publication. But then the one promoting the social control framework, bashed the other's head in. Kaw.
From behind Hatfield's head, Ter pipes up:
I heard a couple of goblins discussing two competing criminological theories – social control and strain – that build the
framework for two pathways after release from prison – desistance or recidivism. It sounded like they were working on a scholarly publication. But then the one promoting the social control framework, bashed the other's head in. Kaw.
LOL.
ROUND ONE
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Roadkeepers
Doc Hatfield
Lullaby
Frantino
Roscoe
Nasir
Ayita
BOLD may act.
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Seeing Nasir draw his sword, in addition to the earthbreaker and greatsword... the two Road Keepers are shaken.
The two Road Keepers step up and attack.
Red pulls his sword and swings at Nasir!
White swings his sap at Doc!
The brigand in the woods fires an arrow at Nasir!
Lullaby starts humming to herself at first, then a bit louder, until all of you feel incredibly sleepy.
ROUND ONE
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Roadkeepers - attack and miss
Lullaby - casts Sleep DC14
Frantino
Roscoe
Nasir
Ayita
Doc Hatfield - DELAY until after Ayita
BOLD may act.
Ignoring the spell, Frantino tries to move forward acrobatically in front of Doc and take a swing against White. He'll go for nonlethal, at least as long as they do.
provoking an AoO
, nonlethal