As everyone behind him gets ready to follow Isnor away from the main road Xanros keeps glancing between the boy and east on the main road where the guard will probably come.
"Let's be on, then, but let's keep our eye on the boy as we leave. Maybe if we watch from a safe distance, we can learn how the guards of this town deal with this odd, little boy. After what I have just been through, however, I am in no condition to deal with a large consignment of patrolmen."
"I will follow you until we are out of sight of the main road and then I can silently and unseen move back into a position that I can watch the boy and approaching guard to make sure we are not followed."
Xan look a Rasmus and says "That is a story for another time, now get going."
Quietly, through his helmet, Rasmus asks, "That's an exquisite bow, Xanros, how did you acquire it?"
As Isnor and Xanros lead the newly formed group into the sidestreets, the unmistakable sounds of an approaching military patrol can be heard coming from the west. Estimated time of arrival is 4 rounds. From the ruckus heard up the street, you would suspect it is a double size patrol which would mean at least 12 men strong.
For Boeler and Xanros
For Xanros only
As you move south into the alleys between Mossy Ln and Cobble way you are struck by how clean they are. Not that they are spotless, but they are not the den of endless trash and vermin that you might expect in a town this size. This is particularly unusual in a country as chaotic as Ildonia, but might simply speak of the orderliness and control a strong military lends to the town.
You feel you have successfully left the square before the military spotted you and are able to find a moderately secluded area in which to speak if you wish.
I let the Illusion of Rasmus in the alley fade and the illusion of the tentacled horror fade but maintain the Illusion of Rasmus near the small child.
"Thank you all for your assistance back there. I don't know what was to become of me without your much appreciated help." As Rasmus speaks, he begins to equip himself in his chain shirt, placing it on while still wearing his helmet. This manuever would normally be quite difficult, but he manages it with ease and appears to have done it many times before. His shield again takes its place on his back, the large lightning bolt worn proudly across his shoulders. Once he feels assured that all is in its proper place, he continues. "I am not sure what happened to me to cause my injuries, one moment I was walking into town. The next, I was strapped to a table being tortured. I know not why or by whom. I escaped through a doorway when my captors left me alone and that door led...well...out to the middle of that street. Wait, what town am I in? I am not even sure of my location. And, by the way, why are you all here?"
As Rasmus is putting on his armor in the ally they are hiding in Xanros walks to either end and checks for any patrols following them.
"Did any of you here the whistle when we were leaving? It seemed it was a signal for the boy and his parents, in my training we often used bird calls and things like that to communicate without others knowing so we might be dealing with highly organized and trained individuals."
And, by the way, why are you all here?"
After checking the ends of the ally Xan looks a Rasmus "I just came north from Dreskana, I just got out of a miltary academy there, in fact that is where I got this bow" Xan shows Rasmus the interwined W and A lettering inlade on the bow.
"I returned to my old village and then came down here after meeting up with Isnor on the way. For now I am just looking into some things that happened long ago."
"I have stopped here on a journey seeking secrets that are best left untold." I say quitley and continue walking with an air that implies that I would rather that no more questions be asked of me regarding my past.
Rasmus understands a person's unwillingness to talk about history, he too has some rather unpleasant visions of past events. He nods towards Gimble in an understanding way. Rasmus turns then to Xanros asking, "Dreskanan military academies are rumored to be harsh institutions, did you find that to be true? My mentor told me that the training systems of that military are some of the best in the lands, and, if this is so, than I am doubly pleased to have met you when I did." Rasmus smiles broadly under his helmet.
"Now on to more critical matters. I will be staying here in town for a short period, to look into who my captors were and why they chose me as their target. I will bring them to justice, hopefully at the edge of my longsword. But, this seems like a daunting task to handle on my own, some companionship would certanly be beneficial, perhaps for all of us. In the very short time that I have been here, I realize that there are some strange goings on in this place."
"So, if we are agreed, then where do we begin our search?"
I look at you in a calculating manner for a moment before saying "I will assist you in your quest. But first we should lie low for a while. Where are we going Xanros?"
Rasmus turns then to Xanros asking, "Dreskanan military academies are rumored to be harsh institutions, did you find that to be true? My mentor told me that the training systems...
Xanros's stares at nothing for an instance as he remembers his years there "Yes at time very harsh, expectingly the first couple years but if you listen and obey you can learn a lot"
"Now on to more critical matters. I will be staying here in town for a short period, to look into who my...."So, if we are agreed, then where do we begin our search?"
Xanros looks a Rasmus "I will help for now, my search has waited for several decades a couple more days are no big deal, your need is greater than mine."
I look at you in a calculating manner for a moment before saying "I will assist you in your quest. But first we should lie low for a while. Where are we going Xanros?"
"Isnor and I are staying in the Axe and Anvil I need to go there first to at least get the rest of my gear." Xanros looks at Gimble "Do you have all your gear or will we need to stop at the inn your staying in to get it?"
As Rasmus is putting on his armor in the ally they are hiding in Xanros walks to either end and checks for any patrols following them.
"Did any of you here the whistle when we were leaving? It seemed it was a signal for the boy and his parents, in my training we often used bird calls and things like that to communicate without others knowing so we might be dealing with highly organized and trained individuals."
Xanros feels quite confident that none of the patrols are following the group at the time you enter the alleyway.
SNIP"Isnor and I are staying in the Axe and Anvil I need to go there first to at least get the rest of my gear." Xanros looks at Gimble "Do you have all your gear or will we need to stop at the inn your staying in to get it?"
As the group discussed it's short term plans, the world goes on around them:
For Xanros and Boeler:
For Xanros:
"Blast it all, I must have made a wrong turn again. I *hate* these alleys. Well, at least they are clean and.....Oh, my. I...ummm...I'm sorry to intrude. I'll just be going now..."
"Yes, you should be going on you're way now. Oh, and it would be advisable not to mention this little encounter to anyone. Ok?"
Xanros holds out a hand to quiet any talking as he hears the sound of the cart. "Somethings coming." He grabs his bow and notches an arrow and moves back into the shadows.
'We might be surrounded' Xanros thinks and he readies his bow.
As the large man rounds the corner Xanros pull back the arrow and waits for the worst.
Xanros holds out a hand to quiet any talking as he hears the sound of the cart. "Somethings coming." He grabs his bow and notches an arrow and moves back into the shadows.
Xanros fades from sight as he sinks into the deep shadows of the alley.
'We might be surrounded' Xanros thinks and he readies his bow.
As the large man rounds the corner Xanros pull back the arrow and waits for the worst.
Boeler steps towards the man asking, "do you need help with something?"
"Don't encourage him Boeler, just let him be on his way and we can be on our way."
"I have just as much reason as any man to be leary of the populace of this town, but one must always strive to help others, my friend. It is always wise to act prudently, however." Rasmus turns from Gimble to face the large merchant. "Good sir, could we be of some assistance?"
Rasmus smiles at the man while watching his movements for any sign which may convey his true intentions.
"We must endeavor to get out of here before someone we don't want to meet finds us. Lets go."
"We must endeavor to get out of here before someone we don't want to meet finds us. Lets go."
"Hold Gimble, there is some one on the roof over there." Xanros whispers out of the shadows. "I don't how long they were there but we need be wary. Once the man with the cart is gone I will lead us out and if need be see who is watching us."
"Kind sir, I appreciate your offer of assistance, but I am merely a bit turned around and it is obvious you are rather involved in other matters at the moment which are clearly none of my business. I'll just be on my way."
"I'm so very sorry. Klutzy me. Always getting turned around and spilling things. That's what my wife always, says, 'Diran, you can't tie your boots without falling over.'" "Ummm...yeah...sorry...it's just times like this I get nervous...not that I have any reason to be you see, it's just being turned around and all..."
Gimble, Isnor, and Boler are 5', 5', and 10' respectively away from the cart. Xanros in the shadows is 15' away.
For Rasmus:
For Xanros:
SNIP
Rasmus smiles at the man while watching his movements for any sign which may convey his true intentions.
For Rasmus
As he completes scooping up his vegetables, the farmer begins to quickly push his cart back the way he came.
Xanros quietly walks out of the shadows "I think he is a follow of Pelor so we shouldn't have any problems from him. I am going to see if I can climb up to where I saw our spy and see what I can see."
Xanros puts away his bow and arrow and walks to the structure next to the wall and starts to climb up, making sure to stay away from the cracked pieces of wood.
"Sir...Diran is it, you should be going, it may not be safe. I hope, if our paths cross again, it is under...sunnier skies." Rasmus smiles and hopes that Diran sees this not so subtle allusion to Pelor as a sign of understanding.
After the stout Diran wheels away, Rasmus turns to Xanros and whispers, "You are correct, he was a follower of Pelor. We should remember his face; any ally in this town may be our only one." As Xanros walks away and then climbs the wall, Rasmus is impressed by his ability to scale it so easily and thinks that he is a worthy companion.
Rasmus then, inspired by Xanros and Gimble's stealth, attempts to disappear into the shadows. He is careful to stay against the wall on the opposite side that Xanros scaled, in an attempt to keep one red eye on his new acquaintance's movement. Rasmus remembers what his mentor, Jean, told him about the dangerous nature of this small city and, so far, Jean was quite correct. He places his left hand on the hilt of his longword and the texture of the leather wrapped steel emboldens him. He recalls the well worn wrapping of the rebated sword he used for practice and is grateful the edge of his current weapon is sharply honed.
"Rasmus, we should keep an eye on where he goes." nodding toward the portly farmer. "He may be able to provide sanctuary if the need arrises" Then Guudwyn follows Rasmus's lead and attempts to hide in the shadows of the alley.
Xanros quietly walks out of the shadows "I think he is a follow of Pelor so we shouldn't have any problems from him. I am going to see if I can climb up to where I saw our spy and see what I can see."
Xanros puts away his bow and arrow and walks to the structure next to the wall and starts to climb up, making sure to stay away from the cracked pieces of wood.
Xanros scales the nearby trellis with ease and not so much as a splinter. He disappears over the edge of the roof line, only to reappear moments later jumping dangerously from one rooftop to another.
Just as he gets to the top of the next roofline he steps behind something and is no longer visible to the group.For Xanros:
"Sir...Diran is it, you should be going, it may not be safe. I hope, if our paths cross again, it is under...sunnier skies." Rasmus smiles and hopes that Diran sees this not so subtle allusion to Pelor as a sign of understanding.
After the stout Diran wheels away, Rasmus turns to Xanros and whispers, "You are correct, he was a follower of Pelor. We should remember his face; any ally in this town may be our only one." As Xanros walks away and then climbs the wall, Rasmus is impressed by his ability to scale it so easily and thinks that he is a worthy companion.
Rasmus then, inspired by Xanros and Gimble's stealth, attempts to disappear into the shadows. He is careful to stay against the wall on the opposite side that Xanros scaled, in an attempt to keep one red eye on his new acquaintance's movement. Rasmus remembers what his mentor, Jean, told him about the dangerous nature of this small city and, so far, Jean was quite correct. He places his left hand on the hilt of his longword and the texture of the leather wrapped steel emboldens him. He recalls the well worn wrapping of the rebated sword he used for practice and is grateful the edge of his current weapon is sharply honed.
The farmer says a nervous goodbye once more and heads on his way.
Rasmus, Guudwyn, and Boeler notice Diran seems to cringe or wince the tiniest bit when the name of Pelor is mentioned.
With Rasmus and Guudwyn 'hiding' Gimble and Boeler wait (just as hidden ;) in the alley wondering what Xanros might find.
Xanros looks over the edge and says "There seems to be a vantage point up here that someone uses as a look out, who ever was up here might not have even been here for us. I am going to take a quick look around and see if I can tell where this person went"
Xanros scans the roof top for scuff marks or footprints leading away from the barricade.
"Perhaps not everyone we see is after us in particular. Why would such a small town have lookouts posted on walls within the city limits? Are they watching their own citizens?"
"Guudwyn, my friend, that large merchant was a follower of Pelor. He had a symbol of his god hidden near his boot. If their are secret churches in this town, there may be a sect devoted to Heironeous. I am sure that if we could find it, they would be able to assist us. We must do so with the utmost of secrecy as I fear that the Church of Erythnul may rule over these constituents with the harshest of means. Boeler and Gimble, the inn you mentioned, did it seem a friendly place...one where an inquisitive lot could find out information in a discreet manner?"
Rasmus remembers the late nights at the convent reading antique tomes looking for any mention of his patron, Heironeous. In a church devoted to Wee Jas, there weren't many books that told of the teachings of other gods but Rasmus always managed to find brief mentions of the "Invincible One". He spent many of his younger days in fear of the Head Mother discovering this secret worship, which would have been viewed as a most treacherous betrayal that would have been most severely punished. Rasmus feels for Diran and imagines that the punishment doled out by this town and its leaders would be worse than any at the hands of the Head Mother. This will change and he will see to it. Slowly, the corners of Rasmus' dark mouth rise as he smiles broadly, thinking of retribution.
Xanros looks over the edge and says "There seems to be a vantage point up here that someone uses as a look out, who ever was up here might not have even been here for us. I am going to take a quick look around and see if I can tell where this person went"
Xanros scans the roof top for scuff marks or footprints leading away from the barricade.
Xanros is able to make out first a clear footprint in the muddy remains of the last storm. The print seems to be that of a medium sized human female, but you can't be certain. Scuff marks and such lead to the edge of a building, continue to the next, and then down to the street. Your quarry is undoubtedly long gone.
Returning to the vantage point, you glance through the contents for a moment.
For Xanros:
"Perhaps not everyone we see is after us in particular. Why would such a small town have lookouts posted on walls Boeler and Gimble, the inn you mentioned, did it seem a friendly place...one where an inquisitive lot could find out information in a discreet manner?"
Xanros and Guudwyn would likely realize the inn where they stayed, The Axe and Anvil to be such a place.
Boeler and Gimble might feel the same way, though from a different perspective. The Leisurely Lion was a nicer inn which would typically preclude such a thing. That said, the proprieters were halflings... :)
In whispered tones meant for Rasmus while slightly shaking his head:
"Guudwyn, my friend, that large merchant was a follower of Pelor. He had a symbol of his god hidden near his boot. If their are secret churches in this town, there may be a sect devoted to Heironeous. I am sure that if we could find it, they would be able to assist us."
"There is no secret church for the Invincible One. At least not yet. When Xanros returns, we should either follow the Sun Child or find another sanctuary. If we tarry, we will be found."
In whispered tones meant for Rasmus while slightly shaking his head:
** spoiler omitted **
"Who is the Sun child you speak of? Was that what the little boy in the street was holding, a symbol of Pelor? If so, we should follow him and seek sanctuary with followers of Pelor. Our two faiths have often been helpful towards one another, especially in towns such as this. If following him into the guards seems too rsiky, we can go to one of the inns to seek more information. We will wait for Xanros and get his input. He looks like he may leap from the top of that building..."
Successful tumble check granted for sheer coolness factor via DM fiat. :)
Xanros looks towards the ground, smiles a bit, and somersalts through the air landing on his feet a few steps from the group. I suspect he looks up and walks towards you smiling, but I will leave that for Xanros himself to decide.
"Who is the Sun child you speak of? Was that what the little boy in the street was holding, a symbol of Pelor? If so, we should follow him and seek sanctuary with followers of Pelor. Our two faiths have often been helpful towards one another, especially in towns such as this. If following him into the guards seems too rsiky, we can go to one of the inns to seek more information. We will wait for Xanros and get his input. He looks like he may leap from the top of that building..."
"I was referring to a follower of Pelor as a sun child. I know not what the boy had in his hand. I do agree that we might find sanctuary in the house of the Shining One, but it may be wise to use caution if we follow the sun child. When Xanros returns we should decide our course of action. We should not tarry." Guudwyn turns as he hears a tap on the ground. He turns to find Xandros there. Guudwyn stares in mystified shock, first looking at Xandros, then inclining his head towards the roof, then back to Xandros again.
Within a moment, Guudwyn recovers, stands tall, nods his head with a smile, and sofly inquires, "What have you been able to discern from your lofty perch?"
Xanros looks up from his landing and smiles slightly from the shock on some of their faces.
"What have you been able to discern from your lofty perch?"
"It seems that there has been a look out up there for some time, you can see quite a ways. I suspect that we just scared off the current look out, the good news is I think who ever was up there is working agains the city guard. The whole setup seems a bit more covert then what the guards would do." Xanros looks up and down the ally and back to the group "Are we still going to the Axe and Anvil?"
"It seems that there has been a look out up there for some time, you can see quite a ways. I suspect that we just scared off the current look out, the good news is I think who ever was up there is working agains the city guard. The whole setup seems a bit more covert then what the guards would do." Xanros looks up and down the ally and back to the group "Are we still going to the Axe and Anvil?"
Guudwyn reflects on what was just reported by Xandros, also looks up and down the alley confirming their solitude, then concludes, "Well, if they are working against the guards, then we should not fear that they will report our activity to them. Xandros, I believe you still have gear at the Axe and Anvil. It should be safe enough to return there, and it is important that you have all of your personal items. I would like to follow that farmer, but I would deduce he does not live too far from here. He would have a hard time pushing that cart a great distance. It is possible also, to return here later and pick up the cart tracks. Xandros, would you be available for that task?"
Then Guudwyn eyes his companions, "Any other ideas or needs or shall we proceed?"
"If Boeler and Gimble don't protest, I believe that is a wise course of action. We should make an attempt to hide the symbols of our faith, Guddwyn. I believe the attention they would garner would not be of the hospitable sort." Rasmus pulls his worn, brown cloak over the shield on his back and adjusts his helmet, securing it more tightly on his head.
It is possible also, to return here later and pick up the cart tracks. Xandros, would you be available for that task?"
Then Guudwyn eyes his companions, "Any other ideas or needs or shall we proceed?"
Xanros squats down and examines the cart tracks and the farmers tracks. "Yes I should be able to follow these pretty easily, unless he hit the main road it will be a little harder not to mention a little suspicious. I think we should go get my gear and maybe we can discern how much danger we are in so we don't endanger the farmer if we don't need to. What do you think?"
"I have no problem with it, let us continue."
"Yes, I beleive that that is the best course of action. And that farmer looks like he has a problem pushing that cart anywhere."
Xanros takes stock of all his gear and looks over his new companions one more time. They all look ready and determined, what ever is out there we should do just fine.
"Ready? Lets go. Give me about a fifteen foot head start and lets try not to look like a big group moving as one. Spread out a little but keep each other in sight. Guards get a little jumpy when they see a group of five new faces marching through town"
Xanros starts walking out of the ally always alert for guards or the strange boy they saw earlier.
Following Xanros I try to blend into the crowd, attempting to act like just another citizen.
Following Xanros I try to blend into the crowd, attempting to act like just another citizen.
I was wondering the same thing. Is there a 'look casual" check ;)