Test
It’s dawn when you awaken on the cool and dew covered plains. It’s more comfortable to keep scarves and hoods nearby to shield your face during a windstorm. It’s the dry season and the scant topsoil of the steppe spends the season moving from one place to another.
The Laviari people are semi-nomadic, moving about the plains during the season following herds of aurochs. During the day people keep moving, usually on horseback. At night they set up elaborate tent structures and cook feasts, dance and drink the night away. Revelry in the face of austerity.
People pay the roaming bands of Laviari people to escort them safely through the harsh plains. Logically, they often find themselves in the employ of merchants, especially wealthy ones and as such are quite affluent despite their meager accommodations.
There are 50-100 tribes of these people in the plains, of varying sizes but always at least 4 family groups.
Tonight there’s been a great meal prepared and shared. Tonight you feast on a whole auroch, slow cooked in an earthen oven dug into the dirt. Large bottles of wine and pipes are passed and shared. The evening is cast in torchlight while dancers sing and clap together.
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Ria Navari draws her woolen cloak tighter around her shoulders as she walks along the outskirts of the torchlit gatherings. She does not like being close to the rambunctious noise and raucous drinking that night brings. Traveling during the day with the Laviari people is comfortable enough; when she needs a break from the gossip of people she walks close to a packhorse or a stray auroch and speaks with them. She finds being with animals more comfortable and loves to connect with them.
Ria finds an unoccupied space touching the very edge of the firelight, and places her full backpack down on the ground. Her wooden mail covering her limbs and torso makes a rattling knocking sound as she sits. She takes a long drink from her waterskin made of thin, silvery birch bark then pulls out a modest dinner of roots, nuts, and dried berries. She eats quietly, occasionally scanning the darkness behind her with alert eyes and ears. She silently watches the people as they feast and drink. If she sees any small night creatures coming close to her, she attempts to approach them and talk with them.
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Alar Renier draws a small metal flask out of his jacket and takes a pull from it while walking through the encampment. There was only a swallow or so left, and the likelihood of finding decent whiskey among these horse-folk seemed unlikely at best, so he tucks it carefully away.
His eyes scan the throngs of revelers constantly as a habit, he's on the job. He makes spare conversation with the folk walking between the small groups, looking for any sign of guilt or concern from them. Nothing suspicious, just folk who somehow still had the energy for this celebration despite the long day of travel.
He stops at one of the larger fires where he is offered a clay mug of beer and a skewer of roasted aurochs flank. The meat is surprisingly well spiced and the beer does a serviceable job of washing it down. He meets the eye of the old man to give back the mug and gives a small smile followed by some small talk.
Alar continues to move through the throng, ducking around the Laviari until he reaches the edge of camp, far enough away from the fires and lamps to let the darkness wash over him. He makes a circuit of the gathering looking for any signs of his target, or at the very least anyone or anything that looks as though it does not belong. Rule #8 - If you watch for long enough, a criminal will always make a mistake.
Alar continues to move through the throng, ducking around the Laviari until he reaches the edge of camp, far enough away from the fires and lamps to let the darkness wash over him. He makes a circuit of the gathering looking for any signs of his target, or at the very least anyone or anything that looks as though it does not belong. Rule #8 - If you watch for long enough, a criminal will always make a mistake.
Roll me up an investigation.
Are you looking for someone specific? Seedy characters in general? People commiting crimes specifically?
I'm LF whomever my current job is to find - which I can make up if you would like me to or you tell me. So any potentially shady folks who might lead me to them/it
She takes a long drink from her waterskin made of thin, silvery birch bark then pulls out a modest dinner of roots, nuts, and dried berries. She eats quietly, occasionally scanning the darkness behind her with alert eyes and ears. She silently watches the people as they feast and drink. If she sees any small night creatures coming close to her, she attempts to approach them and talk with them.
Roland wipes his hands and his brow with his apron and checks his breath.
He pulls a small linen package from the underground oven and a clay jar from a trunk nearby and makes his way over to Ria.
He smiles wryly at her and motions to her meal."Never known anyone to eat trail rations during a meal, should I be offended?" He smiles to show he's certainly not offended.
"Is this more your taste?" He unwraps the linen to reveal a fresh load of crusty sourdough bread. And offers her the jar.
"If you've never had fresh bread with auroch butter you haven't lived my dear." He winks and gets up to leave.
He turns back briefly."I noticed you're quite adept on your horse. I was hoping to get a few others together tomorrow morning before first light to check on the heard. Would you join us?"
I'm LF whomever my current job is to find - which I can make up if you would like me to or you tell me. So any potentially shady folks who might lead me to them/it
You're starting to think you tip was wrong but as the night wanes on and people start drifting off to sleep you notice the woman you're looking for. A leather merchant with a hawks talons makers mark.
And just as the man who hired you suspected, she's very much not dead.
He turns back briefly."I noticed you're quite adept on your horse. I was hoping to get a few others together tomorrow morning before first light to check on the heard. Would you join us?"
Ria looks up as Roland approaches. She is silent and wary, but her eyes widen and a glimmer of a smile flickers on her face as she sees the food he offers. "Oh! I, er, yes, er, no I've never tried the butter," she stutters. She takes the loaf and the butter jar, setting them on her lap. "Thank you," she says, a bit more composed.
After Roland asks her about checking the herd in the morning, she replies: "My horse Willow and I have been together for a long while now, and she's a wonderful creature. We both would be happy to check on the herd. I'd like the chance to speak with Daisy again, as her calf is nearly ready to be born. And little Clover is growing so much every day, he has so many adventures. And Buttercup is--" She stops suddenly, realizing how much she's been talking. She looks down and dips the fresh sourdough in the butter. "Willow and I will be ready at dawn."
I'm LF whomever my current job is to find - which I can make up if you would like me to or you tell me. So any potentially shady folks who might lead me to them/itYou're starting to think you tip was wrong but as the night wanes on and people start drifting off to sleep you notice the woman you're looking for. A leather merchant with a hawks talons makers mark.
And just as the man who hired you suspected, she's very much not dead.
I begin to shadow her, taking care to keep a few people between us at all times. When she takes to bed I follow her, noting anyone she speaks to while ensuring she doesn't catch sight of me.
I reach into my long jacket to the inside pocket and pull out a glass jar with a cork stopper. Inside there are ten fine slices of laced elfbark, and I carefully place on under my tongue before putting away the jar. When the 'bark dissolves the bitter flavor is belied by the sharpening of my senses and the energy the substance bestows. Now that I am on the case I need all of my faculties. I touch my hand crossbow inside my jacket on the opposite side as a reflex
I'm LF whomever my current job is to find - which I can make up if you would like me to or you tell me. So any potentially shady folks who might lead me to them/itYou're starting to think you tip was wrong but as the night wanes on and people start drifting off to sleep you notice the woman you're looking for. A leather merchant with a hawks talons makers mark.
And just as the man who hired you suspected, she's very much not dead.
I begin to shadow her, taking care to keep a few people between us at all times. When she takes to bed I follow her, noting anyone she speaks to while ensuring she doesn't catch sight of me.
I'm LF whomever my current job is to find - which I can make up if you would like me to or you tell me. So any potentially shady folks who might lead me to them/itYou're starting to think you tip was wrong but as the night wanes on and people start drifting off to sleep you notice the woman you're looking for. A leather merchant with a hawks talons makers mark.
And just as the man who hired you suspected, she's very much not dead.
I begin to shadow her, taking care to keep a few people between us at all times. When she takes to bed I follow her, noting anyone she speaks to while ensuring she doesn't catch sight of me.
Sorry that was my username not my character - good roll thought :D
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Feylnrae closes up her tent for the night on the outskirts of the commotion, and finally feels comfortable enough to take off her stuffy mask. Maybe it's the Great Old One's influence on her mind, but her paranoia keeps getting worse.
Sitting in complete darkness, she proceeds to pull out journal after journal, stacking some, opening others, divesting her attention and memory entirely to the things she saw and learned today. How can they fit into the larger puzzle? She begins writing in a new journal. She heard a rumor during her travels that there might be a portal to another plane, deep underneath the Laviari Plains. If she can find someone, anyone, that knows anything about it, then her journey could potentially be complete.
She goes to snuff out the candle she's reading by, and remembers that she never lit it. Her eldritch eyes forbid darkness, a double-edged sword for someone that struggles to fall asleep.
Sorry that was my username not my character - good roll thought :D
You're quite sure you're unnoticed. The merchant doesn't seem to be adept or on her guard. She turns in for the night after not to long. Only a few are still awake.
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As dusk sets Elo'en takes time to practice his craft. Fascinating children and adults alike with an illusory display; he conjures faint images of heroes battling dragons within the flames of the campfire... Slowly, the figures begin to take corporeal form. Calmly and patently he begins to tell the tale of the battle between the Crescent Glade elves and the great wyrm Has'vek'num...
As dusk sets Elo'en takes time to practice his craft. Fascinating children and adults alike with an illusory display; he conjures faint images of heroes battling dragons within the flames of the campfire... Slowly, the figures begin to take corporeal form. Calmly and patently he begins to tell the tale of the battle between the Crescent Glade elves and the great wyrm Has'vek'num...
The children are enthralled, and quite a few adults. a few children befriend you and tell you stories about cool things they've found on the steppe. They say once they found an ant's head that was the size of a melon. The other child insists it was the size of an Auroch head.
As dusk sets Elo'en takes time to practice his craft. Fascinating children and adults alike with an illusory display; he conjures faint images of heroes battling dragons within the flames of the campfire... Slowly, the figures begin to take corporeal form. Calmly and patently he begins to tell the tale of the battle between the Crescent Glade elves and the great wyrm Has'vek'num...
A friendly faced and wide framed man approaches you after your story.
"Ho there friend with such gifts! Did you get enough to eat?" he makes a weak attempt at small talk and gets to the point. "Look, I could use a sharp mind like yours tomorrow morning before breakfast. Might I employ you to help me check in on our Auroch horde? I have some worries I don't want to pass onto the rest of the clan unless there's good reason so I'd rather bring outsiders, travelers. And these merchants are soft bodied and idle minded."
He turns back briefly."I noticed you're quite adept on your horse. I was hoping to get a few others together tomorrow morning before first light to check on the heard. Would you join us?"
Ria looks up as Roland approaches. She is silent and wary, but her eyes widen and a glimmer of a smile flickers on her face as she sees the food he offers. "Oh! I, er, yes, er, no I've never tried the butter," she stutters. She takes the loaf and the butter jar, setting them on her lap. "Thank you," she says, a bit more composed.
After Roland asks her about checking the herd in the morning, she replies: "My horse Willow and I have been together for a long while now, and she's a wonderful creature. We both would be happy to check on the herd. I'd like the chance to speak with Daisy again, as her calf is nearly ready to be born. And little Clover is growing so much every day, he has so many adventures. And Buttercup is--" She stops suddenly, realizing how much she's been talking. She looks down and dips the fresh sourdough in the butter. "Willow and I will be ready at dawn."
"Hah! You really know your cows! You have real love for them...I'm Roland and you are?"
Roland scratches under his head scarves and shrugs. He speaks in a low and hushed tone."Truth be told I think I have reason to be worried about the herd. When I went to gather one for our dinner feast yesterday the herd was spooked, a few were injured and a few other were missing."
He sighs while packing his saddlebags. "I think it's the centaurs. There's a pretty large tribe in these plains, we've negotiated a peace for a few generations but it's seemed tenuous at best these last few seasons...news travels fast and I don't want any undue panic to spread through my people. Would you each mind coming with? I didn't want to ask any Laviari. I'm happy to compensate you fairly, shouldn't take more than an hour or so."
"Truth be told I think I have reason to be worried about the herd. When I went to gather one for our dinner feast yesterday the herd was spooked, a few were injured and a few other were missing."
He sighs while packing his saddlebags. "I think it's the centaurs. There's a pretty large tribe in these plains, we've negotiated a peace for a few generations but it's seemed tenuous at best these last few seasons...news travels fast and I don't want any undue panic to spread through my people. Would you each mind coming with? I didn't want to ask any Laviari. I'm happy to compensate you fairly, shouldn't take more than an hour or so."
Ria smiles at his comment about the "cows". "It is good to meet you, Roland. I am Ria Navari."
Ria's eyebrows raise at this new information about the herd. "What? Missing and injured auroch?" She's visibly agitated. "I suppose it makes sense to wait until morning, this darkness is heavy," she says quietly.
She sighs and shakes her head, then looks back at Roland intently. "I think we should get out to check on the herd as soon as we can. Willow and I will be ready at daybreak. Can everyone else going be ready by then?"
She looks off into the darkness, as if willing the auroch to be safe in the night. "Thank you for asking this of me, Roland. These creatures rely on us to take care of them. I hope they all stay safe tonight."
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A sandy haired dwarf walks the outskirts of the encampment occasionally stopping to look more closely at the ground and muttering to himself.
"Out in the open, chasing cows all day, what am I doing here? Hrm, what did that dolt say? Safety in numbers. Psh. 'Least them aurochs are good eating I guess."
When the revelry starts he stuffs his face with large helpings of roasted meat and beer. Most of his conversations are rather one sided as his responses are short and rather unintelligible as he never bothered to stop chewing to reply. When he feels adequately satiated he returns to the outskirts of the encampment and builds a small fire and tends to sharpening a pair of axes.
Elo'en welcomes Roland to sit next to him.
"These people have cared for me and kept me well fed when my own exiled me. If I can repay their kindess by investigating the auroch, I will gladly do so."
Elo'en gestures for Roland to lean in.
"What sort of worries do you speak of?"
"It may not be wise to speculate and potentially make mountains out of ant hills but..my gut tells me it's the clan of centaurs we've been butting heads with lately. The peace I negotiated may have worn thin, but I won't make you fight our battles for us, just an escort and an extra set of eyes on the problem."
[dice = survival]1d20+4=6
No.
The beer bears a mark you recognize, Deepflagon and dwarven brewed but A Dorian clan of dwarves.
I sneak up and search my target, looking to see if she has money or the equivalent to make up the loss to my employer. If it is there I take it and go, if not I apprehend her, making preparations to bring her back to justice
I sneak up and search my target, looking to see if she has money or the equivalent to make up the loss to my employer. If it is there I take it and go, if not I apprehend her, making preparations to bring her back to justice
You recall the bargain was for 500 gold pieces up front and 500 pieces at time of delivery. You find a number of pieces of jewelry that could likely pay the difference, they're also a small lockbox tucked under her bedroll.
If the jewelry I find will make my employer whole and pay my fee I leave the box and warn her against further deceptions. If not I attempt to search the box for traps/open it.
If the jewelry I find will make my employer whole and pay my fee I leave the box and warn her against further deceptions. If not I attempt to search the box for traps/open it.
While not having the most discerning eye you're confident a few of the easier to remove bracelets would fetch around 500 gold, one has a pretty well cut emerald.
I take the jewelry pieces, remind her that a less reputable fellow would have left her with nothing (including her life) and not to trifle with me. After I leave her, I tuck the pieces inside my jacket and make preparations to leave the encampment.
Make an intimidation or diplomacy to convince her to not make a scene after your explanation
Or
A sleight of hand check to remove the jewelry whole she's asleep without waking her and leave a note behind.
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The children are enthralled, and quite a few adults. a few children befriend you and tell you stories about cool things they've found on the steppe. They say once they found an ant's head that was the size of a melon. The other child insists it was the size of an Auroch head.
With a full mouth...
"Ahnt? Ya oh ow my eyth uh sthider ah?"
He takes a long swig from his tankard.
"EIGHT! Imagine the beast with eight eyes each the size of one of those 'ants' heads!"
He starts to trail off and stuff his face again.
"Lost some good ones to that bastard...stay out of the dark kid...ith nah fu th fai uh hrt"
[dice=Persuasion]1d20 + 3
She nods. "You're right. I can't believe I thought I'd get away with it...I trust this matter is resolved?"
The children are enthralled, and quite a few adults. a few children befriend you and tell you stories about cool things they've found on the steppe. They say once they found an ant's head that was the size of a melon. The other child insists it was the size of an Auroch head.With a full mouth...
"Ahnt? Ya oh ow my eyth uh sthider ah?"
He takes a long swig from his tankard.
"EIGHT! Imagine the beast with eight eyes each the size of one of those 'ants' heads!"
He starts to trail off and stuff his face again.
"Lost some good ones to that bastard...stay out of the dark kid...ith nah fu th fai uh hrt"
And older child scoffs loudly to the younger children. "This old man's is yanking our giblets. Ain't no way nuthin has eyes that big."
And younger child pipes up in protest.
"What's a strider?"
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And older child scoffs loudly to the younger children. "This old man's is yanking our giblets. Ain't no way nuthin has eyes that big."
And younger child pipes up in protest.
"What's a strider?"
He spits out a particularly tasty but of auroch ing anger...
"SPIDER! And you gonna know they come big as houses down there! Don't believe me? Take a look at this!"
He sloppily removes his pack and rummages with the straps and pulls to reveal a giant fang. It's been chiseled and burned to reveal a dwarvish script.
"Three good men. Taken in their sleep by a craven stinking hairy lummox of a beast. I tracked it down. Took this from it. Carved their names in it..."
He pauses for a moment and bends closer to the children.
"It didn't kill 'em straight off, but boy, you'd wish yer dead. Stay away from the dark flatlander."
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He pounds a full tankard worth, gets a refill, then storms off to his campsite.
It's a cold morning and your throats are dry. Roland quietly rustles each of you and he passes a warmed clay jug of some sort of cider/mulled wine flavor.
It's not long between the groups skill sets to track down the auroch herd. If you've never been on these plains you've never seen a beast like this. Aurochs are protobulls, much larger and imposing than more domesticated bovines.
Roland looks back and lowers his face scarf smiling wide. "They're beautiful aren't they?" He pauses to appreciate them.
The herd seems a little spooked. They're acting agitated and a few show signs of injury and dehydration but nothing major that's not easily treatable.
"Hrm." Roland looks to each of you. "I don't get it. What happened?"
He withdraws a long pair of auroch horns. In a practiced motion he slowly bends the massive bow arms and strings it into a massive bow. and shrugs his shoulders "just in case."
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Ria finds herself momentarily admiring Roland as he admires the auroch, appreciating how much he admires the beasts. Then she shakes her head and turns her full attention on the herd in front of her.
"Oh!" she cries, running forward to the closest injured beast. She looks intently at the wounds, and pulls out a small jar of yellowish salve. "I can put this on the wounds to help," she says, directing her glance to Roland.
As she rubs the salve on the beast and tends to its wounds, she mutters a couple words in her Druidic tongue. A shiver of green light flows down her entire body for an instant, and then she lowers her head so face is level with the auroch's. . Anyone listening to her would hear noises like grunts, snorts, and moos going back and forth from Ria to the auroch.
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[dice=Persuasion]1d20 + 3She nods. "You're right. I can't believe I thought I'd get away with it...I trust this matter is resolved?"
I leave wordlessly - Rule #38 - Never trust what someone tells you right after you save their life
I secure the take, and begin to make ready for departure
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The effects of Elfbark gave Alar a poor night's sleep, and the noise and smell of the aurochs weren't doing anything to help his mood. The only saving grace was that this caravan was finally moving back towards civilization. I take note of the woman speaking to them, but refrain from using my own language to take part.
When Roland draws his bow and the beasts begin to stir, though, Alar's senses come back as adrenaline replaces the feeling of the drug. My goggles whir softly and turn as I scan the terrain for threats, I keep my Heavy Crossbow ready in its holster across my back, and put my hand on the hilt of my Hand Crossbow inside my jacket.
Rule #13 - Preparation, Preparation, Preparation
Her intimidating crow mask tends to keep people away from her, so Feylnrae was surprised Roland approached her while she got her food. She wasn't upset in the slightest, though. If anything, she was happy to have something to do besides wander off on her own. Maybe she could even curry some favor with the Laviari.
Upon reaching the aurochs, she can't help but be slightly charmed by Roland and Ria's concern. Maybe it's her Drow upbringing, or that she's spent so much time traveling by herself, but this borderline naïve respect and appreciation for life is foreign to her. It's kill or be killed, in her experience, but this doesn't seem too bad at all...
Back to the matter at hand, it looks like Roland and Ria have everything under control with the aurochs themselves, and the man calling himself Alar is keeping an eye on the immediate surroundings. If there are any trees around, maybe even a small forest, Feylnrae walks briskly to it and uses her daggers to help her climb it. She intends to get a wider scope of the surroundings.
Her intimidating crow mask tends to keep people away from her, so Feylnrae was surprised Roland approached her while she got her food. She wasn't upset in the slightest, though. If anything, she was happy to have something to do besides wander off on her own. Maybe she could even curry some favor with the Laviari.
Upon reaching the aurochs, she can't help but be slightly charmed by Roland and Ria's concern. Maybe it's her Drow upbringing, or that she's spent so much time traveling by herself, but this borderline naïve respect and appreciation for life is foreign to her. It's kill or be killed, in her experience, but this doesn't seem too bad at all...
Back to the matter at hand, it looks like Roland and Ria have everything under control with the aurochs themselves, and the man calling himself Alar is keeping an eye on the immediate surroundings. If there are any trees around, maybe even a small forest, Feylnrae walks briskly to it and uses her daggers to help her climb it. She intends to get a wider scope of the surroundings.
The tallest thing is a person on horseback on these plains.
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The tallest thing is a person on horseback on these plains.
In that case, she hilariously makes a few subtle hops to get some extra height, hoping desperately no one else notices.
She then walks past the aurochs and starts meandering in the direction they didn't come from. She's taking special note of the earth, looking out for tracks other than auroch tracks, and trying to reach a balance where she can examine the area away from the auroch herd without completely losing track of the crew she arrived with.
Urlich gives the druid a bit of a side eye when she starts baying and mooing then turns to Roland.
"You sure this int a normal sick? 'Mebbe separate 'em from the rest of the herd; keep it from spreadin'?"
He gestures towards FeyInrae.
"Think she's got the idea if it int though. You two at the ready, I like that too. Think Imma head that way with 'er, add a second set of eyes. Cover a wider area."
He draws a hand axe with whose blade has a dull-grey hue as he begins to investigate the surrounding area for tracks or anything out of the ordinary.
The tallest thing is a person on horseback on these plains.In that case, she hilariously makes a few subtle hops to get some extra height, hoping desperately no one else notices.
She then walks past the aurochs and starts meandering in the direction they didn't come from. She's taking special note of the earth, looking out for tracks other than auroch tracks, and trying to reach a balance where she can examine the area away from the auroch herd without completely losing track of the crew she arrived with.
The area ahead is barren and flat. The ground is covered with dry dirt and pebbles and is tough to discern tracks in. Unfortunately you're unable to discern anything worthy of note.
Ria finds herself momentarily admiring Roland as he admires the auroch, appreciating how much he admires the beasts. Then she shakes her head and turns her full attention on the herd in front of her.
"Oh!" she cries, running forward to the closest injured beast. She looks intently at the wounds, and pulls out a small jar of yellowish salve. "I can put this on the wounds to help," she says, directing her glance to Roland.
[dice=Medicine with proficiency] 1d20+5
As she rubs the salve on the beast and tends to its wounds, she mutters a couple words in her Druidic tongue. A shiver of green light flows down her entire body for an instant, and then she lowers her head so face is level with the auroch's. . Anyone listening to her would hear noises like grunts, snorts, and moos going back and forth from Ria to the auroch.
** spoiler omitted **
The wounds you find seem to be mostly abrasions that seem to have been caused by falling and scraping themselves on the hard packed earth. You don't find any serious injuries that won't heal on their own.
The aurochs are definitely spooked. They keep repeating phrases like "the dirt. The dirt will eat us. The dirt ate them. The dirt shook. Our hooves shook."
The effects of Elfbark gave Alar a poor night's sleep, and the noise and smell of the aurochs weren't doing anything to help his mood. The only saving grace was that this caravan was finally moving back towards civilization. I take note of the woman speaking to them, but refrain from using my own language to take part.
When Roland draws his bow and the beasts begin to stir, though, Alar's senses come back as adrenaline replaces the feeling of the drug. My goggles whir softly and turn as I scan the terrain for threats, I keep my Heavy Crossbow ready in its holster across my back, and put my hand on the hilt of my Hand Crossbow inside my jacket.
Rule #13 - Preparation, Preparation, Preparation
Besides some hares and prairie dogs that seem in an awful hurry coming from back the way you came there's nothing of note.