As everyone but Lua, who is on her own horse, piles on to the cart and starts to head towards the exit of the courtyard, they begin talking about how to get to the fishing village they saw on the map earlier.
All of a sudden they hear a shout, "Wait!", followed by the sound of someone running in armor. From around a building comes a kind of humorous sight. Corporal Hardstone is running after the party, his beard swinging wildly about. In his hands he has a small sack and the scroll case you saw earlier. With him jogs a young human male.
Bart is willing to drive unless someone more dextrous wants to take the seat?
He'll pull reign on the donkey to bring it to a quick stop, turning his head to see what the commotion is.
"Hail, Master Hardstone. What brings you to us in such haste?"
Glancing around and enjoying the sight of the Corporal rushing toward the party Orion smirks a little.
"Here comes our good dwarven aide," He says. "And someone else apparently?" Now the young man looks puzzled trying to place a name to the human with Hardstone. Giving up the search Orion will leap down from the wagon and approach the panicked Corporal and his companion.
"We are not going anywhere Master Dwarf, at least until you have explained the delay." Orion seems interested in whatever news the dwarf and human may bring.
Hardstone slows down, jogging up to the group, you hear between huffs "Just keep breathing". When he stops and starts breathing a little easier he says, "This is Johnathan Snow", motioning to the human male beside him, "a new edition to the Warders like yourself. The Legate thought that you might be able to use his help since the original mechanical expert had to be called off to other duties. Also the Legate thought you could use these. The map of the area around the destination of your mission and one hundred pieces of silver, for hiring transportation and helping to get local information."
Turning to Zareth the dwarf hands the pouch and scroll case to him, "The Legate thought that it would be best for you to keep track of these."
"I am sorry for my Tardiness" he says as he scans the group on individuals on cart then looking back to Orion he reaches out his hand to shake his "I was a bit tied up with things this morning"
after thanking Corporal Hardstone for his efforts he will board the cart and take a more detailed visual inventory of his new Associates Equipment taking special note of any armor or weapons they are carrying
Orion smiles warmly toward Hardstone and Johnathan extending his hand to meet the other human's.
"It is a pleasure to meet you Sir Johnathan Snow, I am Orion Arygius and our little group would welcome you with open arms no doubt. Thank you for all the help Corporal we had just been discussing our lack of a map and this is most convenient."
Now the young man walks back to the cart to seat himself offering a welcoming wave to Jonathan.
"Soliel and well met Johnathan."Lua gives him a short bow." Indeed you are welcome among us."Luathoria is riding a grey and white mare, wearing kind of fancy leaf inlaid studded leather armor, has a rapier on her hip and a longbow at her back.She also has a medallion with a unicorn engraved on it around her neck(holy symbol of Ehlonna)."It seems we are now complete. Shall we go?" She says with a smile and turns her horse back towards the road.
"Thank you, corporal. I'll be sure to keep track of this."
Zareth then turns to the new recruit and says "Good to meet you, Mr Snow. I'm Zareth Edemont, arcanist."
"So another one to join us, fine by me." says Bel. "This could help us out, seeing how we did lose another person before this all started. I hope you'll be willing to work together with us in our journey."
"Oh, before I forget, my name is Bel Arrador." Although she doesn't extend her hand to be shook, she does wave politely to Johnathan before talking quietly to herself in elven.
I can't believe I almost forgot to introduce myself. I feel so ashamed.
"I'm more than happy to be taking another expert. My name is Bartholomew Grey, formerly of Lupri, near the borderlands. Stow your gear and find a spot in the cart. I'm afraid things are a bit crowded. Hopefully no more folk show up in the next minute or I'd worry about what it would do to the poor beast doing all the pulling."
Bart chuckles and offers Snow a hand up into the cart if he'll take it.
"Bel, in the interst of keeping the donkey alive,would you like to ride behind me? Gennabakis can easily carry us both. It would also make more room in the cart for everyone." Lua offers with a grin.
She hopes that Bel can be a friend as well as a comrade in arms.
Storyteller
"Bel, in the interst of keeping the donkey alive,would you like to ride behind me? Gennabakis can easily carry us both. It would also make more room in the cart for everyone." Lua offers with a grin.
She hopes that Bel can be a friend as well as a comrade in arms.
Thinking about this for a few seconds, Bel looks around at the team and makes her decision. "That sounds like a good idea. It lets us get a good view, just in case anything suspicious comes our way."
The group leaves the confines of the palace grounds and heads out into the city of Kassel proper. Looking at the map, it appears as if you should travel three days on the main road to Chadwick, at which point you should leave on a side road heading South-East to Safeton. It takes a good two hours to make your way through the city and just as you start to leave the city limits you see a wall of storm clouds on the horizon heading your way.
Luathoria will dismount and unstring her bow, putting the string around her neck like a necklace to keep it dry. She will then walk the horse (as a donkey and cart moves at about a walking speed.),pulling her cloak on with the hood up."Well Bart, it looks like lack of water is the least of our worries. May have too much soon though." She'll smile to show she means no offense, then continue walking, mumbling calming words to her horse.
Looking a bit displeased Orion begins rooting through his bag searching for his cloak. "Hopefully those clouds just pass us by without other problems." Finding it he places it in his lap at the ready and watches the clouds approach. "Unlikely though that may be. If it becomes too fierce we should seek out lodging and wait out the storm."
"It just has to start raining now, doesn't it? Now I won't be able to get any research done, and knowing my luck this backpack pobably isn't even waterproofed."
Zareth goes on like this for roughly 15 minutes, while packing up his spellbook and putting on his cloak.
"Hmph. Cursed rain." mumbles Bel as she routes through her belongings for her cloak. "Good thing I purchased that explorer's set, or I'd look like quite the fool." She then follows suit with Lua, unstringing her bow and walking close by.
You travel on for another hour during which time the clouds move over you, darkening the sky. You see lightening flashing and the crack of thunder is heard right above you. Still though, no rain falls and you begin to think that Orion's hope that it might just pass over you could come true. But just as that thought starts to form a big drop of rain hits you (some on the head, others on the back, or arm). Before you can finish, "Oh cr..." a deluge starts. The rain is so thick and the clouds so dark that it is difficult for most of you to see (the elves thanks to their low-light can still see normally).
"Wow, this rain is terribly bad, I wonder if there's anywhere to wait this out?"
Bel looks around, hoping for the best.
Bart harrumphs into his mustache and attempts to cover up his armor with his cloak as best he can.
"Figures, right after I get everything oiled. Hopefully it was enough to keep my armor from rusting right off of me."
Barts cups his hand over his brow, trying to see through the gloom and then shouts through the din of gushing water and thunder.
"Bel, Lua, can either of you make out any shelter? If not, we're going to have to plod on through this or sleep under the bloody cart!"
Bart slows down the cart and tries to listen for an answer over the sounds of thunder and the rain battering against his helmet. He mutters to himself but manages a smile, "At least my cursed head is dry."
"Iee Ehlonna, it seems something has angered you".She whispers in elven, then louder to be heard"I will look Bart.Though I don't know the area, I don't have much hope."Spot check looking for shelter. (1d20+5=23)
"bah infernal weather" Johnathan quickly takes off his armour and takes up a crouched position in the corner of the cart using his armour to shield him from the rain as best it can. he also stows any of his wooden gear so that they will not get wet fearing that they wood may crack or warp when it dries
"Iee Ehlonna, it seems something has angered you".She whispers in elven, then louder to be heard"I will look Bart.Though I don't know the area, I don't have much hope."Spot check looking for shelter. (1d20+5=23)
Bel's spot: 1d20+3=5
Bel doesn't see anything in the downpour.
Lua though makes out a small farm house and what looks like an overgrown road leading to it just a bit farther down.
Another large crack of thunder makes those wearing metal armor realize that cover would probably be a good idea.
"Well it appears I may have been wrong.Bart there is a farm up ahead, lets make for it.""Gennabakis, friend donkey, we need to make haste, I will lead us to shelter, hopefully."She will climb back on her horse, "Mount up Bel I see shelter ahead."
"Are you sure, I can't see anything..." Bel protests. She does, however, climb up onto the horse as told, trusting in Lua's judgment.
"...and my spellbook's going to turn into a pile of pulp, and wait, did you say there was a farmhouse ahead? Oh thank Fharlanghn or Zuoken or whichever divine being this turn of events is due to!
Shouting, again, over the roar.
"That is good news Lua, if we are fortunate they may have a barn or something to keep us dry! Let us hope they are of a generous nature! And if not, perhaps a few silver will lighten their mood! Lead the way!"
Bart then realizes that the donkey is already moving to follow Lua without his direction. He slackens the reigns and allows the beast to move as it chooses.
"Let us pray we do not get stuck. If we're lucky, the rain was sudden enough that the ground may not be completely saturated yet."
Tossing on his cloak and wrapping it tightly Orion tries to make out some shelter in the haze. Giving up and hearing good news from Lua he calls out.
"We shall follow you Lua, it is good you can make something out in this mess. I trust the farmers will be happy to offer aid to unfortunate travelers." Orion sighs deeply resigned in his newly moist belongings.
"Sir Johnathan, do you not have a cloak to protect yourself with?" He cries to the pale man then carefully moves over beside Johnathan offering to share his own cloak.
"Wet. Move. Under. Follow." The mule says in animal speech as it follows Lua's horse. Just before the group reaches the road leading to the house the cart gets stuck in the ever softening mud (to which the mule moans "Stuck. Stuck. Stuck."), forcing everyone to climb off and force it out (as the spell wears off Lua hears the mule again start saying, "Follow. Move. Under"). As you turn onto the road leading up to the farm house you realize that it is not just overgrown, but it looks abandoned. Bel and Lua can now clearly see the farmhouse looks run down. There doesn't appear to be any door or glass for the windows. A ragged shutter hangs by one hinge, swinging in the wind.
Although his outfit does include a cloak Johnathan would prefer it not soaked with rain. he tries to explain this to orion over the roar of rain and lighting but his efforts are in vain as his voice will not carry far enough. he in instead tries to wave off the good natured offer from Orion as best he can
Lua will dismount and draw her rapier, and ready her buckler.Easing in slowely, she will look for a dry area,and keep an eye out for trouble..Spot check inside house (1d20+5=23)
Lua will dismount and draw her rapier, and ready her buckler.
Easing in slowely, she will look for a dry area,and keep an eye out for trouble..Spot check inside house (1d20+5=23)
The farmhouse has a covered area attached to the main building that looks big enough to hold the cart, mule, and Lua's horse.
Seeing Jonathan's cloak and wondering at the delay Orion calls to his elven companions.
"Is there a problem? We need to get out of this rain!" The young man then climbs down from the cart and attempts to find Lua in the storm.
Bart is suddenly struck with a brilliant idea! Holding the reigns in one hand, he rummages through his backpack and pulls out a sunrod. Striking it against the seat of the cart he shakes it and holds it aloft.
"Calm down everyone. 'Tis only an empty farmhouse. There are dozens of them just like it all over the countryside. You'd be best to keep a look out for any more ruts rather than anything else! I don't need any more mud squishing between my toes!"
Storyteller said:
"Is something amiss here Lua?" asks Bel, seeing Lua draw a weapon out. "Do we really need to draw weapons at this time? We should head in first, getting our gear out of this rain, instead of being paranoid. I'll be the first to go in, just to make sure."
Climbing off of Lua's horse, Bel takes the lead and ventures into the farmhouse, although after seeing Lua's weapon drawn, Bel has her hand upon her short sword, just in case.
Bart's Spot: 1d20+1=18
Lua's Spot: 23 (already rolled)
Zareth's Spot: 1d20+4=11
Bel's Spot: 1d20+3=20
Orion's Spot: 1d20+0=13
Johnathan's Spot: 1d20+4=13
After quickly stashing the cart, mule, and horse under the covering, the group heads cautiously into the house.
Zareth, Orion, Johnathan: By Bart's sunrod the inside of the house exactly like one would expect from a place long abandoned. Crumbling furniture, leaking roof, leaves and branches scattered about.
Bart, Bel: You notice that the fireplace looks like it has been used within the last two days.
Lua: You notice a tiny pin looking thing on the ground near the recently used fireplace, it almost looks like a small arrow.
Bart takes a seat on the floor or the nearest old chair, stool, bench, etc. and removes his boots, letting the water run out.
He nods at the fireplace.
"Looks like we aren't the only ones to have found shelter in this place. That doesn't surprise and shouldn't be taken too seriously. However, if they have vacated permanently than they may be a bit irate that so many people have decided to share their campsite."
Bart pulls his boots back on and clanks over to the fireplace, kneeling down to check and see how long ago the fire may have been used.
Lua will sheathe her rapier,then kneel down and pick up the pin. She examines it for a moment then approaches Zareth..."What do you make of this Zareth? It almost looks like an arrow?"She'll hold it out for him to inspect.
Walking through the room quickly Orion begins watching his companions curiously. "What is it Bart?" He walks over to the older man gathering a few of the dryer branches in the process then places them nearby the fireplace. "Could we use it for a fire? We ought to get dry, the storm does not want to let up it seems."
Orion tosses his cloak to the floor then begins to remove his shield and weapons. "Shall we get comfortable then?" He looks to everyone in the room to gauge their reactions to the circumstances.
Zareth takes off his cloak, sits it out to dry, and inspects his spellbook for water damage.
"Oh good, minimal water staining, and, oh, what is this pin from? Well, it looks like a small arrow, so something with a small bow. Want something more specific? Alright, throughout history, these types of arrows were..."
1d20+8=17
Taking her bow, Bel strings it back up and checks over her arrows for any damage. "There seems to be no damage here..." she says quietly to herself. Taking one of the arrows, she holds it in one hand, hoping there won't be a reason to use it.
[ooc]Making a spot check at this time around the barn for anything suspicious. 1d20 3=15
After Taking some time to hang up his armour to dry Johnathan will look around the room
he will move to the edges of the light as quietly as possible if the room extends much farther past the edge of the light he will travel another 10 feet in to the darkness and listen for any unusual sounds in the room
then he will sit down with his back firmly wedged in to one of the corners and watch the rest of the group as they make the preperations for the night
"So, we're just going to wait out the storm in here? Well then, we might as well get some rest, then. So, who's going to take first watch?"
"Two person watches sounds fine by me. I'll take last watch with Zareth." Lua will remove her armor,restring her bow and curl up near the fire with bow and rapier near at hand.
"Seeing how I have my bow ready, I'll take first watch."
"I sure hope nothing gets at me on watch..." Bel mumbles quietly to herself, preparing her gear for the watch.
"I'll go after Bel then, I suppose," says Bart as he inspects the fireplace.