GM Euan's Rise of the Runelords (Inactive)

Game Master Euan

"B-but it's supposed to be shared," she mumbles, almost like a child who doesn't understand what's going on as their world is turned upside-down.

Wasteful child.

Stupid brat! You should have known.

Glutton, always thinking with your stomach.

Magnus thanks Gheri for the lively dance and conversation, having had a grand time with her. He promises to look her up again in Sandpoint once they arrive. The dance does seem to have sapped his energy, and he sits near the fire to watch the rest of the festivities.

An entertaining companion, that one. I should like to know her better. For one thing, she didn't scold me, and for another...zzzzz.

The old man begins snoring in his chair, his head resting on one hand.

At lunch...

Magnus taps Gheri on the shoulder with his staff. "You thought you were rid of me, but I didn't die in my sleep. Introduce me to your friends, will you?"

Apologies for derailing the thread, though it seems that people have, thankfully, moved on.

I hear you on the “chance to roleplay” though there are endless threads (available for creating here on the site) in which to do that that aren’t also vying for spots in a Recruitment.

Given that you have also run a bunch of successful PbPs I would imagine you have a stable...stable from which to choose reliable, interesting and dedicated players, though I understand you may wish to cast a wider net or find fresh perspectives. Ultimately, I’m just really not a fan of this concept, and feel that the inimical factors outweigh the positive. Clearly folks here are enjoying themselves, so have at it!

Thank you for taking the time to respond, and with honesty and grace. It definitely provides some insight into how you conduct yourself. OSW.

"Good food is something sacred. It's meant to be shared with your comrades in arms whenever you have the opportunity," he had told them, and perhaps Vin and Seamus weren't her comrades in arms, but they were in this caravan together and they had come to talk to her. That was enough, wasn't it?

They'll hate you all the more when they find out.

There's a couple of other things, but I'd rather y'all find out those when you stumble on them. I have to let her have some secrets after all. ;)

Of course, it never occurs to her to get a bowl of soup for him as she's so accustomed to being served, not to serving others, so hopefully he gets himself a bowl or someone else gets it for him.

Introductions finished, she turns her attention back to Magnus and leans closer to him, almost snuggling, and says, "So, what are your favorite places in Sandpoint, or more to the point, which sights would it be downright sinful for me to miss out on?" and she bats her lashes as she smiles up at him.

In the end, whatever passed as Verona's sociable side won out. "Hello, my name is Verona. Verona of the Wilds. May I join you all?" She greets somewhat awkwardly to the lunch havers before her mismatched eyes landed on the one person in the group she recognized from before, Gherix. "And hello to you again."

"Oh, I am as fine as ever, Kizzy. That really is sweet of you, darling, to offer the Alchemist's Kindness. I just drank enough that I will not need one. You see, that is my secret, Kizzy: I am never sober. Sapph...o got me in the habit of drinking plenty of extra water, too." She holds up a hand to preempt any counterargument. "I know that Cayden does not like such behavior. I will stop when I feel like it. I always do." That is...technically true. She can stop for a month, maybe two, but then she always goes back to it. Even as she gives her usual justifications, a voice in her head tells her that they are just excuses. She has a problem, and she knows it.

"But enough about me. You made quite a showing in the little tournament. I am sorry I was not able to prove a worthy enough dancing partner for all that effort you put in." She pats her rapier. "I shall have to be practicing. How are you feeling, darling?"

Meg's smile hides alarms as she hears the boy mention a Kendra Deverin. She immediately delves into her memories of the family tree to see what she knows about this particular Deverin.

Knowledge (nobility): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21

Ah, right! Niece of Lord Hobart, which makes her Sapphira's cousin. Meg met her once, at a benefit years ago that Sapphira organized to help her cousin's campaign for Mayor of Sandpoint. She beat a Scarnetti. Ah, the Titus he mentioned! She was serious and had a big sister vibe. That's right! Sapphira's favorite cousin! Sapphira would never do something as churlish as say such out loud, but Sapphira's favor is notoriously difficult to earn, and Meg can say with certainty that Kendra has.

"Oh, I have no doubt that the Scarnettis would have driven this town into the ground, so I agree with you there. I have heard good things about this Mayor Deverin. You look like someone that has met her, perhaps even is on a first-name basis." She noticed how he reacted to her calling him "respectable" and figures that he must care about status, a care that she is used to playing upon. Sapphira had told Meg to run to Sandpoint for a reason, though she had remained typically cagey on the details, so Meg would like to learn more about why. Perhaps Sapphira contacted her favorite cousin to call in a favor.

As she speaks with the young man, Meg makes a strange order. She requests a large wine goblet or tankard, barley, honey, the darkest dry red wine in the house and grated goats cheese (or just goat cheese and a grater so she can do it herself). She puts it all in her goblet then pours some of dark red wine--or some of her own if the establishment has none--into it before mixing it up. She is making Kykeon, a popular type of dish in Ancient Greece. I like the idea of her somehow even turning eating into wine drinking :D

Meg considers heading over to the pot with the others, but this young man has just proven so generous with his money, and who is she to turn him down? There's also a lot of people at the pot and Izo and Meg haven't gotten to interact much yet :D

"Saint Lymirin said I should be at the Swallowtail Festival. I can't say whether that means that something bad will happen during the festivities. Perhaps I will meet someone there who will help me on my path. It is not my place to question Lady Iomedae's will, but to serve."

Further along, she found herself walking next to a blond Ulfen woman, whom she had seen in the caravan, but not met. She recognized the holy symbol of Desna. whose worship was very common in Varisia. Deciding to strike up a conversation, she said to her, "Hello, I'm Rosella. I presume you're on your way to the festival? It has something to do with your goddess, does it not?"

The bulky man held out a bowl and spoons the two who wished to share. "I have some more bowls, most likely, if you'd find it easier not to share one."

”This one’s going to be extra special though... not only is it the festival but they’re consecrating a new church that pays homage to Desna too!”

Pointing at the paladin’s symbol she counters, [b]”I’m pretty sure that thing means you don’t worship Desna, right? So what are you heading to Sandpoint for?”

She then leans towards Verona slightly as if to speak privately with her but then says in more of a stage whisper, "He is a fabulous dancer, by the way," and then leans back to her near-snuggling position near Magnus and gives him a smile.

Looking around the circle of mismatched characters, Vin's mildly amused by how eclectic their group truly is. He's also mildly surprised at his own behavior. Looking directly across, he sees the lovely ginger-haired gal with the glasses welcome a lovely friend with uniquely mismatched eyes to sit by her, and where he would normally have the strong urge to go introduce himself to such lovelies, he's finding he's quite content to stay here with this quiet, tiny warrior gal with whatever unspoken demons that may haunt her simply sharing a bowl of soup in the aftermath of sharing a laugh, quite oddly, after he shared his most shameful moment.

He's distracted from these thoughts as a stray bit of broth trickles off the side of his spoon and starts running down his chin. He chuckles slightly as he reaches up to wipe it away, then licks it from his fingers saying, "Too good to waste," and giving Tot a smile.

Making his way to the man standing near the large iron pot, he looks down to tune one of the strings again and almost runs into the two ladies speaking. "Oh, pardon me ladies." Recognizing them both, he nods. "Gherix and Verona, right? Hannah's assistant?" Smiling, letting the lute slide under his arm. "I'm Seamus, you may not remember me. I believe you were with Hannah when she checked on one of the girls at the 'Pixies Kitten." Swallowing, 'Well that doesn't sound good at all.' He looks from Verona toward Gherix and back to the redheaded healer. "Um, I brought the soup up to the room while you were there."

Seeing that Gherix has a bowl of soup, he changes the subject. "How is the soup? I was thinking of asking Emerik if he wanted a little music with the lunch festivities."

Verona, earlier Seamus rolled a knowledge check to see if he knew you, so I thought I would interrupt. Nice image on your page.

"Seamus! So delightful to see you again," Gheri says with a smile. At the mention of the Pixie's Kitten, Gheri says, "Well, that sounds like the name of a legitimate place of business," and throws a wink Seamus' way and then casts a knowing glance in Verona's direction...or at least she's making it appear knowing. Having never been to Sandpoint, she's not sure if the Pixie's Kitten is a brothel or not, but it sure sounds like it.

She then answers his question with a heartfelt, "Oh yes, the soup is glorious! And I can't think of anything better to garnish it than a good song."

She then turns to Magnus and says, "And if the tune's lively enough, I just may have you take me for a spin around the dance floor again," and she gives him a warm smile.

It was at a drive-in theater. When people wanted to laugh or applaud, they honked their horns and flashed their lights. It was pretty surreal. For fans, the news is that they're working on Mallrats II.

I went because there's just nothing fun to do that's safe around here. They've got some serious superfans, though. It cost too much, took too long, and burned a lot of fossil fuel, but it scratched the itch to do something. It was worth it just for that.

;Glorious? A shame not to have a little.' Looking from Gherix to the her soup bowl, "Well if it's 'glorious' I will see if Emerik has a favorite song."

'Have you take me for a spin?' When Gheri spoke to the old man Seamus realized he was with her, not just hovering nearby. He raises an eyebrow and asks, "Is he going with us to the ruins as well?"

Gherix
Izomandakus chuckles amused about Gherix self-perfection "You are a well spoken one too" the boy looks her up down "Are you a librarian perhaps? I am interested a lot in books, but Master Bhreacher would not allow me to read all day, he continually made me toil at the workshop and say 'a brain without a mighty vessel is nothing but butter in a lettuce shell'" he shrugs and looks at Gherix hoping someone smart might understand better the wisdom of the words than he does.

Later that day during lunch, Pachemu Oinks! satisfied when the woman compliments him.

Meg
"Have talked with Deverin some time. She came regularly to Sandpoint Savories" the boy gets his stare fixated at Meg's lips while she talks, then he adds "Are you staying with someone in Sandpoint or are you only for the festival?"

The young man winks a bit startled at the large order made by the woman, but makes his best to conceal his desire to put back his bag of coin, and instead shows up proudly he can pay for it "Interesting mixture. Where did you learn this drink? Can I?" if allowed to have a drink the boy is quickly spirited, not used to the alcohol mixture.

Rosella and Sigrid
"I find serving someone other than my own is a strange idea. I mean, do you find the sense of doing a task this Saint Lymirin gave you without he explaining how to feel you accomplished the goal?" the boy seems genuinely interested in the philosophical intricacies of the answer, but if he feels he makes Rosella unease, he holds back "I had to endure that with my mother Alma and Master Bhreacher. But now that I am graduated I plan to have my own business. No more nonsense tasks and all the benefit goes to where I decide is best spent"

"Oh, yes, the new church. Can you tell us something about the building or consecration process?" the boy looks intensely at the cold beauty of the woman and picks up her hand while saying "By the way, I am Izomandakus, and she is Pachemu" you do understand he is referring to the little pig that follows him in the caravan walk.

Qetsiyah "Kizzy"
One of Izomandakus' eyebrows ticks when he notices Qetsiyah's verbal stumble, but he seems well used right now and merely acknowledges the relation "Yes, I am. Your face wants to be familiar to me... might have we shared a couple of ales once in some pub at Magnimar? I think to remember you were a bit troubled about your future, is this trip to Sandpoint related to it?"

And answering her question "I am traveling there to find out how they are doing. Aneka and myself we have shared some correspondence, but you know how annoying a sister can be when hiding the real problems of the family and exacerbating her little heart affairs" he laughs lightly while slurping the liquid of one more spoon "I miss the old baking smell to be sure..."

Lunch
"Sure, put another bowl to me!" Izomandakus accepts Emerik's offer and makes another cookie fly for Pachemu. The pig is delighted with the cranberries.

When there is a small recess in which others are talking at each other after lunch, the young boy picks a small book from his bag, leans on a rock, cleans an apple and starts to read the book on his legs while eating the apple and soothing Pachemu with the other hand. The book title reads Gears and arcane driven classifiers for automaton decisions in Ancient Osirion.

Sure enough, the whispered word travels quickly from the front… Goblins!

You peer out into the hills to the southeast and see a few small green faces (image) peering back at you. Thankfully they are very far off yet - though perhaps also agonizingly close.

The horses grow as restless as the people as the caravan speeds up. Nick and Nichole have their bows out, but range is still a factor.

Read this spoiler with a successful DC 12 Perception.

If you made the Perception (or someone describes it to you), you may further attempt a Knowledge Local DC 11. Succeed, and you may read the following spoiler.

Obviously we are not doing a large group combat here. But give me some idea of what you might do in the situation without dice. Er, other than the above checks naturally.
- - -

If you are not on this list and feel you should be, or there is something else, please let me know. Thanks!
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At lunch Gheri almost chuckles at the mental image of the older man dancing his way through the ruins, but tries to keep it from showing on her face bluff: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21.

"No, my dear friend Magnus is a dancer extraordinaire and clearly the life of any party, but searching through ancient ruins would be a bit dull for him, I fear," she said giving Magnus a smile.

"Still the same crew for the same skills," she says, giving Seamus a knowing wink as she neglects to mention him as "locksmith."

"I'm coming to Sandpoint to talk to the mayor about the recent reports of giants mobilizing in the region. It's a troubling sign, and one that we should take seriously."

She said to Izomandakus, "Each of us has our own path to follow. Mine is in service to the Inheritor. Your heart will tell you your calling."

After stepping away from the ladies, Seamus moves closer to the cast-iron pot, 'It does smell good,; Walking beside Emerik, he strums his lute and asks, "Good cook, I am loath to eat from ones table without a gift in return. Might you have a favorite song I could play for you?" He smiles, "the soup smells great and Gheri said it was really good. So tell me a song and let me see if I know it."

As he looks out toward the south east, he realizes he sees little heads poking around the small crumble of ruins. 'Blast, goblins, they don't look like the same tribe from Junker's Edge.' Studying the goblins a little more, 'Nope, nope their Breakbag goblins." Seeing reflection from one of their hands, "Blast, and they have glass.'

Instinctively drawing a knife from his bandolier, Seamus palms it. Turning to the girl in armor, "Their aggressive, they really like to throw glass at anything and everything." while he turns to those around him, "It's goblins, Breakbag tribe. Anyone not in armor discreetly move to the other side of the wagons, they love to throw glass just to watch it break and scatter."

He then looks around for the academics and Meg to warn them.
perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20
local: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

Hasslo continues walking with the group - talking with anyone who will listen. Though he focuses his conversation on the local flora and fauna. "See that tree up there. That's a Pinus monticola - a white pine. It's not common around Magnimar but I've been seeing ..."

And then the dwarf sees it. "Goblins. Those creatures have been a thorn in my side for ages."

Knowledge (local), untrained, favored enemy: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

"I don't know the tribes around here." Though he nods when Seamus mentions they are the Breakbag tribe.

"Let's stay far away from them. They may not attack this large of a caravan.". The dwarf moves up to the edges though, hoping to shield those more vulnerable members if the goblins do decide to do something.

Decided to go with the Tracker of the Society trait as my third trait.

For a basic backstory, when Hasslo started the program to take the inner city kids out to nature, the Pathfinder Society helped fund his program. He worked closely with the Pathfinders and was field commissioned for a time. When his mother died and he decided to move on, he gave up his field commission.

As Gheri feels a tap on her shoulder and turns, her face brightens in genuine glee at the sight of the lovely older gent. "Magnus, my handsome dance partner! Please, take a seat right here by me. I'll happily introduce you, but I do plan to hog most of your delightful company myself," she says, giving him a wink. With that, she proceeds to go around and share everyone's names and a detail or two sprinkled in here and there about some of the members of the impromptu lunch crew (mentioning Emerik as the cook and Izomandakus' delightful pig, for example).

Of course, it never occurs to her to get a bowl of soup for him as she's so accustomed to being served, not to serving others, so hopefully he gets himself a bowl or someone else gets it for him.

Introductions finished, she turns her attention back to Magnus and leans closer to him, almost snuggling, and says, "So, what are your favorite places in Sandpoint, or more to the point, which sights would it be downright sinful for me to miss out on?" and she bats her lashes as she smiles up at him.

Back at lunch...

As Gheri quickly becomes his favorite person in the caravan--her flattery seems to go a long way with him--Magnus beams. "Well, I'm glad my dance partner is also able to introduce me around. Perhaps there will be festivities with all once we reach Sandpoint. Pleased to meet the rest of you," the old man says.

"As for what to see, trust me that the Rusty Dragon is the best place to visit. Well, so long as you enjoy spicy and exotic food, which I do. But it has some of the finest food and drink in all of Sandpoint. You can rent a room full-price, or at a discount if you have an exciting adventure story! Ha!"

He steers her away from Fatman's Feedbag, and notes there is a new cathedral being built, along with some festivities. He beams in excitement as he describes them. "I'll buy you your first spiced ale, on me! Or maybe three!"

When Gheri mentions exploring ruins may be a little boring for him, he says "On the contrary--I just enjoy parties and mischief much more! But I am looking for any new experience. It counteracts the Bleaching, you see."

Goblins!

The venerable man seems distracted by the anticipation of arriving in Sandpoint, and notices nothing out of place. At least until someone yells "Goblins!"

What?! Where?!" he asks, adjusting his spectacles and preparing to put them to sleep.

perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23

Meg notices Izomandakus's eyes lingering on certain parts of her face and she is amused, unsurprised, and as completely uninterested as she would be in any other man. She does feel a little bad about taking advantage of the lad's generosity, but this is just how she and Sapphira operate. "Does the mayor live up to her reputation? I always did love hearing about what the upper classes do." Sandpoint Savories, eh? Probably the young owner or heir to the business, based on his pride.

She takes a long drink of her mixture then wipes her mouth with a napkin. "As for the dish, I learned it from my last employer, and I believe she learned of it from some scholar of Thassilon. He said it was even sometimes drank with blood or some kind of necromantic wine, but he was probably just trying to impress her with some salacious story. This is just one specific recipe of many, to tell the truth." That particular scholar had been such a tremendous bore in every respect--going on about dating rocks and brushing dust off of pots and spoons that--that she had not been able to fake her interest for long. That was back when she was pregnant, too, so she had not drank in months. But Sapphira had wanted to support the sciences, and Valena would do anything to support her, so she persevered. She thought about that dish the scholar described every day until she was finally able to drink again. I generally see Jistka/early Taldor as more of a Rome analogue, so Greek stuff (that isn't used by Iblydos) ends up Azlanti and thus Thassilonian.

She allows Izomandakus to have a taste. I have not had it myself yet, but I've looked into it for book research. The wine choice is apparently what makes this particular recipe work, as it has to be a dark, dry wine to coordinate well with the ingredients. The closest texture it comes to is a warm smoothie.

Perception: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (14) - 1 = 13

She quickly takes a glance and finally notices the goblins herself thanks to Seamus's prompting. She throws him a grateful smile. "Oh, how lovely. Practice! Just as I was euphemistically alluding to yesterday." She angles out her rapier and rests it across her lap. "Oh, and Seamus, darling: should we come to blows, you might see me staring at one of the goblins rather intently. I suggest that you attack that one. You may find your blows more effective. If you possess any ability to influence minds, they will be more pliant as well."

I like the idea from the sparring that her hypnotic stare relaxes people while simultaneously making them feel everything--including pain--more severely. I figure that's appropriate for a good aligned mesmerist who is a bit of a hedonist at heart

Get your shields up between the goblins and the horses! They could hurt them with that glass.

With that, the half orc stays beside the horses. This is the first time you've seen him with his weapon drawn.

Keep it moving, he tells the driver. We got this.

Knowledge (Local): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15

[b]"Breakbag, yes,"[/b[ Emerik nodded in agreement, moving to put himself between the 'attacking' Goblins and the people they could actually hurt. His hand moved to the scabbard at his hip before remembering that there wasn't a sword there, and his hand twitched back in revulsion at how automatic the gesture was.

Instead he reached over his shoulder and pulled out his hammer. The tool was meant for building, but at a pinch it was heavy enough to smash armour and crush skulls. Emerik was good enough with his hands and feet that he didn't really need the weapon, but he felt better with the weight in his hands.

He felt awkward about using a tool of creation, of construction, for violence. But while some Goblins were as good as any civilized person, most of them were violent, vicious and cruel. Sandpoint had been plagued by the little sods for years. It would be better for everyone if they were scared away, rather than fought.

Once he's done with the song he smiles and nods to Emeric. 'And there's just enough.' Helping himself to the last bowl of soup, he sits down pulling the bread and cheese from his pack. 'Mmmmm, everyone is right this is delicious'

Great choice of song options Emeric!
lore: music: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

"What? Goblins? Where?"

As the last cart begins to speed up, causing the wooden wheels to catch seemingly every stone, Marku strives to find his balance and peer past the driver to where all the excitement seems to stem.

But the jouncing of the cart, the avalanching sacks, and the distance between him and the action is such that he can only see the backs of other craning heads and make out distant shouts.

He bites his lower lip. To leap down and run up ahead? No. Best to sit tight - there could be an attack from the rear, after all!

So deciding, he pulls out his recorder and then sets to playing a racing, exciting tune, ready to imbue the song with his personal puissance at a moment's notice.

Holding action to inspire courage +1 if he sees hair or hide of a goblin close by!

Perception, Grimmald: 1d20 + 1 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (20) + 1 + 3 - 2 = 22
1 rank +3 trained -2 curse

Perception, Ciara: 1d20 + 1 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 1 + 3 + 2 = 25
1 rank +3 trained +2 wis

Can't make the knowledge check - DC 11, and you can't make more than a DC 10 knowledge check untrained...

Ciara growls and they both spot the Goblin. Grimmald whistles to restrain Ciara, and edges back towards the caravan, longspear held ready in both hands. As he does, he calls out "Goblins, in the hills to the south east. Check the other sides - they have what I think are signalling mirrors."

He was, quite honestly, unsure what it meant. Was it romantic, was it just valued friendship...hard to say. But he knew it was nice. He knew it was real, and that was enough.

As the lunch of a shared bowl of soup ended and the caravan got back on its way, he had a spring in his step. A lightheartedness that comes with unloading a burden. It was, perhaps, exactly that positive energy and his own happy humming that prevented him from hearing the warnings.
The voice that is continually present in his hood was crying out, screaming, and he finally heard it right about the time he heard its sentiment echoed from others around him: "Goblins."

The fiends. The predators that ate his herd, that shattered his happy existence and the reality his grandfather had been clinging to.
The exact threat that sent him on his way. They are a plague, he thought, And I must rid this valley of that plague, and as he thought this, he pulled up his hood with his left hand as his right drew his sickle. In a moment, the happy-go-lucky poet had disappeared and a determined warrior stood in his place.

A great evil is coming the duck voice said, and you must gather a force to stand against it! Quack!!

"Actually, I've known a Varisian dancer or two in my day," Vin tells Qetsiyah, offering no insights into how he knew them, "but I never saw them blend the dancing with the fighting. It was quite impressive. I try to be light on my feet as a swordsman," he says, gesturing to the sickle at his side, "but I can't even come close to what you did."

After hearing the name of her performing family, Vin looks at Kizzy with an apologetic shrug and says, "I've never heard the name, actually. Apologies."

Kizzy gives him one of her rare grins and a conspiratorial wink when he mentions, knowing dancers. "I'll bet you have! Ha ha!" She had seen the way he blew kisses to the serving girls. Pretty boys attracted pretty girls and he was likely to find a herd of them making cow-eyes at him wherever he went.

She considered his words and nodded begrudgingly, finally accepting that his praise was not some back-handed jibe she just wasn't sophisticated enough to understand. "Maybe I just have rhythm in my blood then, eh? On the field of battle, I can better guide and protect my allies the better they can see and hear me, so every little bit helps." She waved away his apologies. "No worries! Next time you're in Magnimar, you should check them out. they do a trapeze act out of their own Inn now. Pretty sweet gig, really."

Qetsiyah didn't spot the goblins at first, but moved quickly to the other side of the road to place herself between the vulnerable caravan and the perceived threat.

Finally, once someone pointed them out, she could confirm what the others were saying about glass. She pulled her greatsword and rested it against her shoulder, more for show at this distance. But she also reached into her pocket for her worn leather sling. "Who can attack from range?" She asked softly to those standing nearby. "If we can break that glass before they can come close with it, we should be able to protect the Caravan." She loaded the sling with a bullet and kept an eye out for the miscreants to come within range. She placed herself between Meg and Vin, standing on the front line.

"Hah! Well then you probably know someone else who might like that information. You have made quite a few acquiantances about the group, after all." She winks back at him.

Meg relaxes a bit as Kizzy does not challenge her justifications. "I am afraid I cannot explain the reasoning behind it very well, as it is Sappho who understands all of that kind of thing, but I can at least give a demonstration sometime."

She waves away Kizzy's apology and then gently touches her forearm."And you have no need to apologize, darling. The tournament was a fine idea. The deficiency was mine, and mine alone."

As Seamus looks for the Academics.
'Where are ... there's Kizzy, ready to defend everyone from the Breakbag goblins.' Seeing Kizzy draw her sword and stand between the goblins and the wagons. 'Attack from range? Break glass?' He calls to her, "Kizzy, what do you have in mind?"

Despite her concern, she‘s distracted for a moment by the boy and his pig. ”Hello Izomandakus and Pichemu...” she answers, ”I’m afraid I don’t know anything about building churches, but I can tell you that when they consecrate it they’ll say a bunch of prayers and usually sprinkle silver dust or holy water around, and they call down Lady Luck’s blessing to make sure that it’s a good and safe place.”

perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21

She is then pleased when Kizzy gives her an excuse to turn the conversation elsewhere. "Oh no, deary, we are certainly not ruling anyone out as yet. One sparring match does not make or break you. After all, you and Tot in tandem just might be exactly the unstoppable force we need," and she gives her a warm smile. Once again, she has said pleasant-sounding words without giving anyone any sense of commitment.

Later, as the lunch has ended and the caravan begins traveling again, she manages to catch up with Tiasar. "There you are, old timer!" she says, walking up and bumping him playfully with her hip. "I'd gotten worried you'd retired and taken up permanent residence in the inn," and she gives him another playful smile.

as they continue to walk and interact, the crowd around them begins to pass along a muttered warning of "Goblins." Looking down at Aros, Gheri does not seem shaken at all and simply mutters, "Well, doesn't that just figure. Try to have a nice conversation and beasties have to go and ruin it."

She then notices Seamus coming up and moving to usher them to safety. Best to let the poor boy think I'm a helpless damsel in distress, she muses. After all, why bother joining in the fighting if I can just sit back and let others do the work?

Seamus positions them behind a wagon and Gheri bats her eyes and says, "Thank you so much, Seamus. My knight in shining armor!" and gives him a charming smile.

Meantime, she prepares herself for some spellcasting. Let's see...murderous command would be delightful if a couple of them approach together, but then again, I could just send them on an errand for me. People do tend to do as I say, and she looks down at Aros whose stance indicates he is ready to pounce and they give each other a simple nod.

I felt comfortable putting the 'seen you mystically' Seamus is very observant. he just doesn't always know what it means

Meg laughs as she holds up her own hand to wave, showing off the brass knuckles she had just put on. That Seamus is a good one. Clever, mild, and proficient. Sapphira would love him. She always liked to have a few hands about for certain things she needs done discretely. Were Meg not in need of such an ally herself at the moment, she would happily try to send him her way. She hopes she is able to keep him around for the time being.

It was lovely chatting with you both in and out of character and I hope we both get in! The rapport between these two has just really been great

'Where are ... there's Kizzy, ready to defend everyone from the Breakbag goblins.' Seeing Kizzy draw her sword and stand between the goblins and the wagons. 'Attack from range? Break glass?' He calls to her, "Kizzy, what do you have in mind?"

"They can do more damage with the bigger, more intact pieces. But while broken glass will be sharper, it won't weigh as much, so it won't cut as deep. Plus they will shred their own flesh trying to carry it then." She explained, applying her tactical mind to the problem. Her own weapon did not have great range, but it was solid enough to break glass, whether it was in sheets or assorted pieces of crockery.

The healer was on the verge of going over an exhaustive list of possible musculoskeletal injuries Magnus could suffer if he didn't take proper care of his dancing habit when several things distracted her in quick succession. First, was Seamus, who's mention of Hannah and his trip to the clinic quickly jogged the witch's memory. "Da, I remember you now. Sorry that I forgot your face. Hannah and I have some many patients that its sometimes hard to remember of them all," she says sheepishly. Verona could completely memorize a thousand page tome on herbology or medicine but names and faces could sometimes be the bane of her. It was one of many things that she hoped she'd get better at doing with time.

Putting that guilt aside, Verona was on the verge of asking if the girl was outright or was suffering any lingering issues when the call of 'Goblin' slammed into her ears.

Immediately, the healer went for her healing kit and spell bag, with her crossbow not far out of reach either. "They won't attack us so far away and with us being so many, but if they come about I can speak if their tongue if needed." Verona may have been young, but wasn't naïve either. Even knowing the goblin language she doubted that she of all people would be able to negotiate with the little green devils. Still, if things did come to that she hoped that bloodshed would not be necessary to ward them off. After all, she was a healer, and even goblins weren't except from her preference for mending over rending, though she had her limits.

They boy takes the cup offered by Meg, he makes it oscillate and observes the wine-drop, smelling the cup and then taking a small sip "Warm and smoothie. Quite good" the boy lowers the cup to stare at the blond woman's eyes "It might have some good opportunities at Sandpoint local market. If we got some local fields to plant the vineyards we could find a workshop to make some production out of it. Are you accepting a partner?"

Rosella
Izomandakus thinks for an instant to reply Rosella, but he feels his conscious thoughts are only going to unnerve more the knight "Aye. I hope to find such compassionate dedication soon" The young man pads his hard earned coins and smiles.

Goblins & all
When the goblins are spotted and some of the caravan members recognize their affiliation Izomandakus adds "They are cowards, they won't attack such a large group"

Despite that, when Rosella moves away to talk with the guards he raises his voice alarmed "Rosella?!" then looks to Sigfrid at the other side "Do-do not worry, she will be back soon with her shield. She made a promise. I am sure" the young boy grasps his walking staff with more strength and presses the pace following the caravan.

It was lovely chatting with you both in and out of character and I hope we both get in! The rapport between these two has just really been great

Thank you, It was my pleasure, I tend to think of gaming here on the boards as a way to fill the boredom. Instead, chatting with you has been the opportunity to meet an interesting person. Which during this stressful time of covid has been very refreshing. Thank you for being willing to share. I agree the rapport has been great but more so, it's been a pleasure meeting you. Hopefully they both, Seamus and Meg can make it into the game. But even if Seamus doesn't I hope Meg does she's a well thought out character that would be fun to read about.

Kizzy, it has been a pleasure RPing with you again even for this short bit. Hopefully they both can make it in the game.