World of Xoth Campaign (PFE1 Variant/House Rule)

Game Master ALLENDM

We are now in present time.

OK, I assume the talking and story time used up the two hours to get Shang and Cillian recovered. I assume during the same time Borak could have eaten and cleaned up. So everyone is good to go?

It was Børak's turn to raise an eyebrow when Rimas said she wasn't 'with' Cillan only shared his bed. That they both slept with whomever they wanted. In Børak's experience it didn't work sharing a woman with a friend. Sure, if the girl was a whore or plaything; but when it was someone both men cared about, eventually it festered and rotted. She was right few can survive alone and extra eyes and blades, especially loyal ones, were a valuable gift. Listening as the girl told what she had learned about Dinak, he nodded thoughtfully, that explained a lot. When she recommended to 'let the game of chance play out' he shrugged. "I am glad you and Cillian trust us. I hope the omens are wrong. Hopefully whatever happens we will be ready for it."

As Børak and Rimas return to where Shang, Cillian, and Isa are. Børak listens as the two expound of Dinak's background as he eats the bowl of food Shang gave him. As the story comes to an end, he wonders aloud, looking at Shang. "I wonder what tribe Dinak is from." He looked towards the two 'Black Wolves' "What are the odds Asur is from the same tribe."

Shaking his head. "If Dinak is that dangerous, we need to be careful. Shang you get what information you can from Gunnar and Asur. I will speak with the Tharagian girl." He gives Shang a wolfish grin. "When Faza is done guarding Hamadras we shall both speak to him."

He looked toward Rimas and Cillian, confiding in them. "I fear the Tharagian girl is Gunnar's sister or close relative. Faza recognized one of the two 'Black wolves.' When I asked Dinak about it he lied, badly. I believe there is more threats than those from outside the camp." Letting the words sink in a little he continued. "I intend to make sure me and mine survive without being scapegoated for a massacre."

While he ate Børak paused the stories for a moment to acquiring a couple of pieces of naan from the old cooks. Returning to the group, he ate the bread to flush out the heat from the bowl of food. Once he was done eating he took off his armor. Using a little water to clean the blood off his bronze armor. He then took the time to wash the blood off his arm and face. Leaving the armor, shield, axe and saex at his bedroll, near the fire and his friends, he tucked the khanjar in his belt. Feeling more refreshed Børak heads to the slave wagon, watching the camp carefully as he moves towards the wagon.

Pausing outside the wagon, he rests his hands on his hips, viewing the four remaining girls: the Zamarian with her shoulder length hair, the shorter brown haired Yeran, the bronze Bhangari and finally the green eyed blond Tharag Thulan. Watching them, comparing their demeaner to what he'd seen early that morning. Wondering if the two girls who he heard speaking of being ready and being afraid are one of those four. He chuckles wondering if the Zamarian had called to Isa to 'buy her' so she didn't have to suffer the indignation of the touch of Dinak's guards.

After a moment he approaches the guard. I'm assuming it's Aaden, but not sure. He gestures at the Tharag Thulan. "Dinak said I could claim one of the girls, send out the tall green eyed blond. Leave the chains on her, she won't need he hands free for what I have in mind." He watches the guard for any reaction.

perception: the camp in general: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16
perception: the four girls: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15
sense motive: the four girls: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8
perception: the guard: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17
sense motive: the guard: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Gunnar and Asur? It will be as you ask my friend, but have a care. I think our questions make shake the spiders web. If our questions don't, pulling their nose might. Still better we bring the spider out than leave it lurking. If we survive the night without triggering a fight, let's keep our own watch.

He wanders off to find the pair.

So my friends, he says quietly but good naturedly. How goes the night? First time working for friend Dinak is it? And what think you of yon girls?

Dip: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18

He starts digging for information and drops a few snippets of his own.

Sense mot: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20 take the worst, Sense mot: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19

OK, I assume the talking and story time used up the two hours to get Shang and Cillian recovered. I assume during the same time Borak could have eaten and cleaned up. So everyone is good to go?

Correct.

[

It was Børak's turn to raise an eyebrow when Rimas said she wasn't 'with' Cillan only shared his bed. That they both slept with whomever they wanted. In Børak's experience it didn't work sharing a woman with a friend. Sure, if the girl was a whore or plaything; but when it was someone both men cared about, eventually it festered and rotted. She was right few can survive alone and extra eyes and blades, especially loyal ones, were a valuable gift. Listening as the girl told what she had learned about Dinak, he nodded thoughtfully, that explained a lot. When she recommended to 'let the game of chance play out' he shrugged. "I am glad you and Cillian trust us. I hope the omens are wrong. Hopefully whatever happens we will be ready for it."

She laughs but Borak can tell it is all in good humor. "I never said I trusted you. What is the fun in that but I trust you more than I trust those around us... And that is enough."

Cillian

The man appears stiff as he moves about eating his evening meal. He listens to the conversation and seems to take it all in as he then looks up every few moments to scan the area around them to see if anyone is in earshot.

perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12

"He could be...these mountain wolves have tight nit clans and tribes. But what does that mean?" He finishes off his bowl by running the last bit of his naan on the inside and eating it. "There are plenty of rumors floating around Dipur about Dinak...the sword of Hamadras." He looks over to the plush tent in the middle of the circle. "That man is no fool he is as sly as any nobleman looking to rise."

Rimas

She listens to Borak and when he confides in them about the Thargarian girl and Gunner she looks back at Cillian.

She shakes her head and then seems to pause. "This is a dangerous dance playing out in front of us my friend. If Asur knows Dinak and these guards; and that girl is Gunner's sister...Does that mean Asur is playing Gunner or is Gunner and Asur in some kind of deception with Dinak to deceive Hamadras? I can't see Dinak risking an easy life. Raiding is a hard life for these Zorabi tribes. Doesn't make much sense to me."

Cillian

He nodes in agreement. "I can't see him or his lads risking an easy way of life."

Finishing off the conversation as the group dines and then will move onto Borak/Shang.

Before he goes to fetch the girl

Noting that Cillian was careful enough to observe to see if anyone was 'listening' Børak did the same. Eating the spicy food slowly with plenty of naan and water between bites he listened to their new friends observations. Looking from Cillian to Rimas as they speak eventually Interjecting: "I don't doubt that neither Dinak nor Hamadras are fools. But I believe something is not as it seems. It eats at me like a flea bite on the middle of my back. So to scratch it, I will speak with the girl." He shrugs, finishing his food. "I will not 'rock the boat' more than necessary." Remembering they signed their names back in Dipur and he intended to return to the city. "My goal is to come out of this with my life and reputation intact and the money promised me in my pocket." He gestures towards them. "For what it's worth I will not press anyone to the point of conflict. And if conflict comes, first and foremost, I will protect our lives as we did against the hunting cats."

perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27
sense motive Cillian: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17
sense motive Rimas: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20
well that was dumb luck

Before he goes to fetch the girl

Noting that Cillian was careful enough to observe to see if anyone was 'listening' Børak did the same. Eating the spicy food slowly with plenty of naan and water between bites he listened to their new friends observations. Looking from Cillian to Rimas as they speak eventually Interjecting: "I don't doubt that neither Dinak nor Hamadras are fools. But I believe something is not as it seems. It eats at me like a flea bite on the middle of my back. So to scratch it, I will speak with the girl." He shrugs, finishing his food. "I will not 'rock the boat' more than necessary." Remembering they signed their names back in Dipur and he intended to return to the city. "My goal is to come out of this with my life and reputation intact and the money promised me in my pocket." He gestures towards them. "For what it's worth I will not press anyone to the point of conflict. And if conflict comes, first and foremost, I will protect our lives as we did against the hunting cats."

[dice=perception]1d20+8
[dice=sense motive Cillian]1d20+1
[dice=sense motive Rimas]1d20+1
well that was dumb luck

Borak looks around and can see that the camp itself is preparing for a night of potential intruders. The fires have been pushed out to nearly double with an additional ring set create a triangle of illumination between the outer and inner circles. Currently Gunner and Asur along with one other guard walk the perimeter between the two rings. It is clear they headed your advice when you came in from scouting. Other than that it is the normal back and forth you would expect in the camp. The cooking and serving tables are being cleaned up and any leftover food has disappeared. Probably given to the slaves Borak would imagine. The herdsman have settled down themselves even posting a watch on the outer ring of the wagon circle inside the second ring of fire to keep watch on the sheep.

Cillian seems to be settling down to rest. The man took a beating in the woods from those cats but he seems to refuse to complain about it. Rimas is looking about the camp studying the wagon circle and Borak notices that she occasionally turns to the slave wagon and studies it as well. Where as Cillian is more "Take it as it comes." Rimas seems to be "Always prepare for the worse."

Isa as settled in to her blankets and seems to be relaxing but Borak can tell the women has one eye and ear open. Her cat resting on her lap watching events unfold around it. Occasionally turning and looking at the big Hillman. There is an intelligences in those eyes that gives Borak pause.

I think I will do a few of my own patrols Brother... this also nags at me and I'd rather be safe than dead. I want to see how everything and everyone is situated. Mayhap Isa or her cat can wake me periodically if I do not wake myself.

He waits a while for people to get settled then stalks around the camp, sheathed sword held loosely in his left hand, right hand free.

Stealth: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15
Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21

His efforts at stealth hampered by his injuries.

IF NECESSARY

Sense motive: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11 take the worst for getting a hunch Sense motive: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21

from my earlier post

...Once he was done eating he took off his armor. Using a little water to clean the blood off his bronze armor. He then took the time to wash the blood off his arm and face. Leaving the armor, shield, axe and saex at his bedroll, near the fire and his friends, he tucked the khanjar in his belt. Feeling more refreshed Børak heads to the slave wagon, watching the camp carefully as he moves towards the wagon.

Pausing outside the wagon, he rests his hands on his hips, viewing the four remaining girls: the Zamarian with her shoulder length hair, the shorter brown haired Yeran, the bronze Bhangari and finally the green eyed blond Tharag Thulan. Watching them, comparing their demeaner to what he'd seen early that morning. Wondering if the two girls who he heard speaking of being ready and being afraid are one of those four. He chuckles wondering if the Zamarian had called to Isa to 'buy her' so she didn't have to suffer the indignation of the touch of Dinak's guards.

After a moment he approaches the guard. I'm assuming it's Aaden, but not sure. He gestures at the Tharag Thulan. "Dinak said I could claim one of the girls, send out the tall green eyed blond. Leave the chains on her, she won't need he hands free for what I have in mind." He watches the guard for any reaction.

perception: the camp in general: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16
perception: the four girls: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15
sense motive: the four girls: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8
perception: the guard: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17
sense motive: the guard: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

I'm assuming our next portion is dealing with getting the girl out of the wagon

Yeah... at that point the crap will likely hit the fan

Yeah... at that point the crap will likely hit the fan

not necessarily, but if were lucky, we'l get some kind of reaction eventually. Good or bad will depend on how Borak treats her and how important she is to this whole side plot

Good point... but I'm expecting a response that leads to initiative rolls