"It's going to be hard to make peace with these Centaurs but we have to try..."
Nature (animals, fey, monstrous humanoids, plants, seasons and cycles, weather, vermin)
"Afraid I know next to nothing about centaurs." She looks down right embarrassed.
Raok looks around a bit more but can't figure out anything further
"I'm sorry I don't know more, just identifying that they were centaurs was only due to the fact they were known to be in the area."
"No need to apologize, that's more than the rest of us knew." Pyros says with a shake of his head.
"Indeed, Pyros is right.. More than I knew, Raok. Thank you."
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The centaurs of the Dunsward, while a bit rough around the edges, are generally peaceful and there has been nothing like this in recent memory. The slaughtered group are definitely from Restov and not bandits (who would be humans that the centaurs would attack). Unkess this is some new tribe that has wandered into the area, which is unlikely, this scene makes no sense.
Belated Knowledge roll:
"The centaurs of this area aren't friendly and chipper, but this isn't their type of thing. Let's keep on at it, since we've learned all we're gonna learn here."
" not confidant in his riding or knowledge of the terrain to range ahead but I will follow being the rear observer
Raok mounts up and guides the pony to the back.
"I can take lead. I'm supposed to be good at this wilderness stuff, and can ride a horse." She offers and unless someone else wants the spot, she takes it.
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After gleaning what information you can, you head on. There was nothing of value found either. Whatever wasn't destroyed was taken.
Near dusk you arrive at Varnhold. It is a simple walled trading post consisting of three buildings. One is a general store. the other is an inn with an attached stable, and the last seems to be a private home. Only the Inn is two stories, and all are wooden structures. The wall is a simple wooden palisade with a closed double door gate about 15' wide. at eaxh corner of the wall are simple roofed guard platforms.
As you approach the gate, a guard hails you from the nearest platform.
"Ho! What business do you have, and who are you?"
Elaina trots up to the gate. "There's been a massacre! A few hours back that way!" She waves her arm back in the general direction from which they came. "It looks like a trade caravan was ambushed! Hello, by the way."
Raok tries to speak as clearly as possible to not freak the guard out at a talking frog man
"The evidence we found suggests it was centaurs"
Cassia takes up the spot behind Daxiana, not confident enough in her horse riding to lead, but also not wanting to be in a position where she's too far from the front.
"We're envoys sent by Jamandi Aldori. Our business is helping with this centaur problem you've got, she gave us some papers, if you don't trust what I'm saying." She gestures to Pyros to give them the documents, since she doesn't expect them to trust her.
Pyros nods as the others speak, then removes the documents from Lady Jamandi Aldori and rides slowly forward. "Here is our authorization from Lady Jamandi Aldori."
The kobold speaks behind Daxiana, “What they said. Gaxi with Dax. Gaxi cause no trouble, dragon’s promise.”
Daxiana smiles at Gaxi and nods, mostly letting the ultra charming sorts talk now but as it has come up she adds, "Gaxi is right, you may want names so just in case: I would be Dax, or Daxiana if you want the full first name, sir.Gaxi just spoke for himself. The fellow handing you the papers is Pyros, our dear priestess is Elaina, the dark green fellow," she gestures , "Is Roak..., then there's Cassia, the fuzzy fellow is Ikrit the White, and that's Maeric I think. Hope I got everyone's name's right as we've been traveling for a bit and it's a bit embarrassing if I didn't get them by now."
Ikit nods as his name is mentioned, crossing his arms
Raok bows when he hears his name, excited to be part of the talks.
Cassia raises a hand as her name is mentioned.
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"You all need to talk to Silas, he's been expecting you." one the guards says as he climbs down to open the gate.
After getting inside, the guard recloses the gate and points to a two story building about a hundred yards away.
"You can find Silas at the inn, they wil also have places for your horses. It's good to see Restov has sent help, you'll have plenty of friends here I'll tell ya."
With a gesture that is half wave and half salute he smiles and bids you a good night.
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As you approach the inn, you can hear the buzz of conversation coming from inside the first floor tavern. It looks busy. A smkall boy jumps up at your approach and runs over.
"Hello! Do you need your horses stabled? I can take care of that for you!"
He is trying to look serious, but can barely contain his excitement. It's obvious how important his job is to him.
Raok tries to get down without falling off and holds the reins out
"Yes young human? Please take my mount and look after it."
He stands patiently expecting some sort of reaction
Cassia dismounts and leads the others inside. "There a Silas in here? We've got some news for you."
"Easy, lad, this is Gaxi and he's here to help, and that's Ikit. He's a genius, just ask him." Daxiana smiles "Please, take my mount for a bit eh?"
Pyros steps up next to Daxiana and smiles down at the boy. "We are an odd group, but they are not prisoners. They are allies. Please stable my horse as well." he says, and tosses the boy a gold piece.
Still on top of Snowball the ratfolk crosses his arms
"Ikit IS genius, yes yes. Make great machines. And Snowball not need stable. She is good girl, yes yes. Make sure place is clean"
Raok trying to calm the boy a little
"I am a Grippli we seem to you to be alot like tree frogs but we are a friendly people. We are an odd group, but please feel free to spread the word that our group is peaceful.
He then follows the others
Gaxi says nothing-the boy’s reaction puts him on edge. He doesn’t make himself threatening, he just makes sure he’s in the middle of the crowd.
Pyros' generosity impresses Daxiana and she nods, then goes on to join Cassia who is already seeking out Silas. If Gaxi chooses to use her as a bit of a buffer, she doesn't complain.
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The boy nods to Daxiana, "If you say so m'lady." but he stilllooks doubtful.
When Pyros pays him he eyes light up at the gold piece.
"Thank you, sir!! I'll take care of these right away!"
To Raok, "That's amazing! We never see anyone like you here. I can't wait to tell my brothers!"
The boy makes sure all the horses are tethered and then leads two away at a time to the stabkles at the far end of the inn. He constantly looks back at the strange group in awe as they file into the inn.
When you enter the inn, the most of the first floor is a single large room set up as a tavern. It is moderately busy at this time with about 30 people inside. The hubbub slows slightly as you enter, then picks up, but then dies to almost silence as they get abetter look at your group. Aside from a single dwarf and halfling sitting at the far end of the bar, everyone else is human.
A tall, middleaged man hurries over.
"Stefan said you have come from Restov? Are you the ones Jamandi sent? I have a letter from her from a week ago. I am Silas Varn."
As Silas starts talking to you, the silence in the room slowly dissipates and the various conversations pick up again, but you do see still the occasional glances from the patrons at your group.
”We are yes. Here, she gave us these to explain the situation. I am Pyros Aldori, these are Daxiana, Elaina, Gaxi, Ikit, Raok, Cassia, and Maerik.” he says, passing the man Lady Jamandi’s papers and introducing the group in turn.
"Aye, we hope to help learn what angered the centaurs so and if possible make peace with them." Daxiana adds.
"Jamandi said she was sending help. Frankly, I don't know what can be done. In all my years here we have never had an issue with the Centaurs beyond some minor quarrels."
Silas looks around and lowers his voice.
"I'm convinced that something happened last month. And I'm fairly certain it was non-Centaurs that caused it. There have been some shady people in these parts recently."
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The mention of shady people piques Maeric’s interest, old habits and past associations stirring at the edges of his thoughts.
Maeric shifts slightly, the mask turning toward Silas as the man’s voice drops. When he speaks, it’s low enough not to carry, but steady and without accusation.
"Shady people… what kind?"
He pauses a moment, giving Silas room to answer.
"Travelers passing through, or folk who meant to stay?"
Raok likes Maeric's questions so he looks at Silas patiently awaiting his answer
"We mostly have farmers and a few trappers and such that come here. But a couple of weeks ago a small group came through. I would have pegged them for bandits, but those type avoid here because there is nowhere to hide on the open steppe." Silas responds.
"They were a rough looking lot though. And no one here had seen any of them before. They also didn't say much about why they were here. Even more strange was that they headed South and East. There's absolutely nothing that way."
Putting his hands behind his back Raok walks a little bit
"I suppose we must then presume that this rough group, found something out there that upset the Centaurs or they ran into a group of centaurs and harmed them. Perhaps we should investigate?" he says
Daxiana is glad Maeric is getting details, and notes that Roak seems a bright fella.
"Couple of weeks ago, mmph too old a trail to track then, but south and east ? We could check that area. Aye, Roak." She nods to the Grippli