"Mash no like this. Pull out your weapons. I suspect the Other has something to do with this."
Cole turns his attention to Jirah, noting her weapons could have made the marks. His hand strays to his sword hilt as he turns to Jirah, and asks in a very conversational tone, " So, Jirah, know anything about these marks? Maybe your spies back in the village left the marks for you?"
"They could be markers, a way to communicate developed by a group. I've worked with group or two that did that before. It might be marking territory or warning of a particular hazard, or telling of a particularly choice spot to camp. I do agree with Mash, though, we should stay alert as we continue on."
Cole stares hard at Jirah, and seems ready to press the issue further with her, but he abruptly turns his gaze away from her, and says ungraciously, "Raff is right, we should be on guard."
Keselous holds up his morning star that he has had out all along, just waiting for the woman to spring her trap and show her true intention. All his aggression is starting to wear on him and he is to be honest growing bored of grimacing as he is much more used to joking banter.
He breathes deeply and takes a step off into the wood to try to move with stealth. so that he may surprise the ambush instead.
stealth
In true Mash fashion, if there is a trap to be set off, Mash will be the one in the thick of it.
Wearily, he paces forward, looking around. (perception )
Since he probably doesn't notice anything, he'll call the rest of the party to follow.
Cole sees Mash give the all clear, and grimaces. This whole thing smelled worse than Raff's breath after an all night drinking binge. He motions for Jirah to go in front of him, "So we can protect you, you understand, right?" Then takes his customary rear guard position.
"Why do you think I need protecting?" Jirah replies.
Desvartes raises an eyebrow at the woman's' comments. After a while, seeing none of his companions are forthcoming, he moves himself and the horse closer so that he may speak in quiet tones.
"While I am unsure of how things are handled in your lands? Here, when one comes across a group of people, stabs one of them, then ends up traveling with them, only to find something which seems suspicious, one would assume a slight more effort at 'bonding' be undertaken so that said unknown element can be met with a combined force." He finishes, looking calmly at Jirah.
"I believe the shorter term might go something like 'The enemy of mine enemy is my ally?' And since, so far, you've helped both an possible enemy as well as running a sword through a potential ally, a more determined stance might be taken so as to define how one stands?" He finishes.
Cole shoots Jirah another look of disgust, and replies, "Yeah, that place happens to be the Last Stop tavern for all wayward travellers." The sarcasm in his voice is like a bludgeon. "Look, Jirah, we know little about this route, and we are not dungeon explorers, so unless we have reached our destination, it doesn't matter what is up there."
"Let's keep going. The longer we tarry the longer it takes to get there." Raff agrees with his brother.
Cole thinks on this for a moment, then realizes something. He calls a halt, and motions to Kes, and Mash. "We should at least check it out for a moment, just to make sure no ambushers are lurking there. Wanna see what's up there?"
"Perhaps we should all go." Raff offers.
Cole rubs his temples, he could feel a migraine building, a throbbing at his temples, these had always struck him at the worst possible time. Ever since his childhood accident.
"Ok, since we are all one happy fellowship now, why don't we all check out this tower together, since we all trust one another." He fixes a glare at both Jirah, and Erodel. He mutters a very unpriestly oath under his breath, then says "Let's get this over with." He motions for Jirah to walk next to him, so as not to antagonize the others in the group.
At the groups consensus of investigating the tower, Des moves the horse back into the trees. The better to give the mount cover as well as hobble and secure it.
Once he's finished adjusting his clothing and gear he joins the group, though of course being chivalrous and bowing as he indicates for Jirah to precede him.
Raff continues to stay close to Jirah. She is framed by the brothers as they walk up to the ruined tower.
Keselous snerks as the others finally seem to realize and let loose what their tongues have kept bound thus far. I think I'll take point and keep an Eye out for traps.
perception
Keselous promptly catches his foot on a root and falls flat on his face. found one. He gets to his feet once more and with a bit more caution and a bit less running continues onward.
As Erodel examines the front door, Cole motions for Kes, "You seem like you know how to get into tight places, what do you make of this place?"
Keselous looks at the door, eh lets have a look, "well that is not nice, seems that someone thinks that we will die quit vigorously if we go in."
perception
Cole gives the elf a steady look, and replies, "I meant. who made the markings?"
Goblins, kobalds, something small and twitchy, if it was orcs it'd be up higher.I bet there are some on the other side, its in too good of shape to match the rest of this mess. he gestures to the rundown tower. wanna take a crack at em?
Cole thinks for a moment, "I hate wasting time on this, but if there are goblin bandits hanging out here, then we need to put a stop to them." He turns to Jirah, and says, "Sorry about delaying your journey like this, but if there is a group of bandits here, it's our duty to take care of them."
He grins at Cole. thinking it is funny that he wants to stop bandits when the lot of them are just as shady as any goblin ever was.
Raff shares in Kes' grin. "Well if these goblin bandits mean us harm, we need to change their minds."
Mash no like doors.
Strength check () to kick open the door.
Keselous jumps back as he sees the half orc raise his foot up.
Watching Mash lift his foot and brace for the kick all Des can do is say,
"Trap."
And wait for the possible consequences of Mashs' actions.
"This is not going to end well." Raff prepares himself for the conflict. He means to acquit himself more favorably in this conflict than the last.
Keselous peeks around the corner inspecting the area.
In a harsh and excitable whisper Kes declares. I hear someone up there!
"Whatever it's trouble, what ever it is. Hold still." Cole chants a quick prayer to Iomedae, and then touches Erodel.