Bellis was in the bathroom whilst all this was going on and emerges, slightly re-adjusgting her pants, to see Eadric leave the Inn and everyone else looking at each worryingly. "What in the nine hells was that about?"
Even the most righteous have their own demons they must fight. But he can fight them on his time, we take the trail now. Lupus feel free to leave anything behind you don't feel you'll need, but when you run out of food, and have nothing to cover yourself on the cold nights don't try to get anything from the rest of us. Come Wardens we can discuss our name as we walk. He gives Lupus a wink. Durn also looks a bit different instead of the shabby hide armor he wore yesterday he's in a stunning chain shirt. The hide is stored on the back of his horse. He seems eager and more energetic then he was yesterday.
With that Durn will leave the tavern and get his horse ready to go.
The Barkeep follows you out of your tavern and throws Bellis a waterskin. "Here for good luck, a skin of brandy to keep your group warm on your road to the Green Belt. Although many won't say it to your face, good luck Oh Wardens of Narl!" He grins and then appears to be thinking something to himself before he wonders back into the tavern.
It is Sunday, Pharast 30, when you set off. A light sleet follows you out of Restov as well as a light breeze to keep you company. just as you walk out of Restovs gate som of you realize that you haven't eaten lunch and after you mention that fact to Durn, he quikcly snaps at you that whiners and people who can't get along don't deserve lunch.
He pushes you hard for the rest of the day until almost dark when you arrive in a shabby little hamlet about 7 hours south of Restov.
With a promise of a tale from Vanion and some muscle from Durn and Eadric a local farmer offers you a meal and to put you up in his Barn.
You enjoy the warm meal of vegetable Beef soup and bread and settle down in the Barn. By the next morning all of you except for Durn and Eadric are the most miserable you have ever been. You are sore, tired and cold. At least you are not wet. Durn warns you that the villages south of here are sparse and this may be the last roof over your heads for some time.
You set off the next day and it is cold (below freezing), cloudy, but otherwise dry. You realize that without the cold weather gear that Durn helped you pick out, you would be freezing to death by now.
The day passes without incident, you see less and less farms and only pass one hamlet in the late afternoon. You realize that there will be no roof today. Durn assigns each of you evening duties and works with you to learn how to set up tents, build the fire, ready the camp site, ect. He leaves in search of some game for an hour but comes back empty handed this night.
The weather clears for the next several days and you settle into a comfortable routine or marching and camping. On the 3rd day Durn is successful on finding a rabbit to mix into the food and you have a nice rabbit stew.
6 days into your trip it is Fireday, Gozran 5th. It is just after lunch and you are on the road when just ahead Durn scouts some ravens and vultures fighting over something about 50 feet off the small trail you are following to your left. As you pear in that direction you see what looks like some pieces of clothing about 20 feet off the trail as well.
"What is that?", Ellaria's voice trembles slightly as she tries to decide whether to leave the trail and investigate and between moving away from the probably horrible sight.
Obi is quiet during the trip, talking only when someone asks him. He looks out at the carrion bird.
"Time to act like Wardens and see what's happened I guess."
If the vultures and ravens are squabbling there's a morsel of food to be had for them, and not much of danger. They're cowards at heart and will wait for the predators to leave, but still be ready.
Durn will quietly approach the scavengers bow at the ready.
Obi follows behind Durn, not wanting to let anyone go alone.
Bellis sticks close to Durn throughout the trip looking closely whenever he prepares the animals to eat and watching his movements as he scouts the terrain. She does'nt broach the issue of hunting with him again, he seems to prefer doing it by himself.
She wraps her cloak around her during the cold nights, thanking Erasil and her mother for the occasional warmth. Her magic comes in handy throughout the journey as she creates water when there is none and removes the other's tiredness and fatigue with her spells.
When the party spies the vultures squabbling she immediatly thinks it would be just a dead animal but follows Durn quietly keeping her eyes pealed for danger.
Stealth
Perception
Lupus appears tired and uncomfortable throughout the journey so far. A child of the streets heis used to at least having a warm in or tavern to retreat to at night. The constant bone chilling cold and uncomfortable nights are obviously wearing on him.
Lupus pulls out his bow and readies it just in case something happens. He carefully scans the woodline making sure nothing is waiting to ambush the party as it splits up.
Perception
With each passing day of the journey, Eadric's mood and demeanor improved noticeably. The colder it was, the further they walked and the more miserable it got, the happier it seemed to make Eadric. He helped Durn and the others enthusiastically whenever it was time to make or break camp and performed all assigned duties cheerily. Whenever night watches were required, Eadric was happy to take whichever watch seemed the least desirable, even volunteering to take more than his share of time.
At one point on day 3, Eadric strode up beside Obi, as they trudged along, and commented, "Did you really say that if I drew my sword back in the tavern, that you would stop me?"
Letting out a hearty laugh, while the (most likely) startled halfing decided how best to respond, Eadric continued, "I'm sure you would have, and you would have been right to do so! That is the kind of mettle we are going to need out here in the times ahead. You are all right by me Obi. All right indeed! Good on you!"
With another hearty laugh and a jovial pat on the back, Eadric re-took his position in the line.
----------------------------------------------------
As Durn, Obi and Bellis move to investigate, Eadric drops his lance to the ground and draws his sword as quietly as he can.
He moves to a position nearest Ellaria , Lupus and Vanion. He makes a reassuring nod to both Lupus and Vanion as he also begins scanning the tree line.
He whispers to Ellaria, "Try and stay close to at least one of us."
Ellaria nods to Eadric with gratitude and stays close to him while trying to conceal her nervousness.
You do your best to stay in the high grasses and sneak up to the area. Durn notices Obi but not Bellis as you come to the edge of the brush. The first thing that hits you is the smell. You peel back the brush and see a very gory scene.
Vultures and ravens pic at the remains to two people. The cold has preserved their bodies for the most part and you can barely make out that they were once a man and a women or at least that is what you assume from their appearance and garb. The man almost stands, tied to the backside of a small tree. The women, laying on the ground with her clothes ripped and mostly torn off. You don't see anyone else around.
When you determine there is no one else around you waive the rest of the group near but warn them as to the scene.
The man appears to have been used as target practice as at least a dozen arrows are sticking from him. Several bottles of cheap wine or ale lie around as if someone were drinking and carrousing around this horrible scene. What was left of some goods and miscellaneous non-valuable personal items lie strewn accross this small open field around this tree.
There are some tracks around, but they appear to be several day old as do the bodies.
Seeing the all clear sign from Durn, Eadric sheathes his sword and retrieves his lance before approaching the clearing. Upon seeing the bodies, Eadric bows his head and murmurs a prayer to the recently deceased.
He removes his cloak and covers up the body of the women. He moves to cut the man down trying not to disturb the tracks for Durn's sake.
"Can you make anything of these tracks Durn? Numbers? Race? Do you think you can follow them?"
Turning to Bellis, "Shall we prepare a pyre or gather stones?"
When Vanion makes it to the scene, a fierce rage descends upon his face. "What monsters could do such a horrible thing!?" He moves to cover the woman's body with a rugged looking blanket laying nearby. "We must find the villains who did this, and get revenge for these poor souls!" Vanion concludes angrily.
Ellaria looks at the gruesome scene, clearly stunned. She backs off into the trees and vomits. Trying to come back to the scene, the stench makes her feel nauseated again so she vomits again, this time next to the others. Shaking her head, she quickly walks away, barely managing to say: "I'll wait next to the road", before hurrying in that general direction.
Eadric voices his agreement with Vanion's sentiment.
He keeps an eye on Ellaria and calls out a warning to her as she moves away from the group towards the road, "Don't stray too far. Keep where we can see you!"
Turning back to the rest of the group, "Does anyone see anything that might help to identify these poor souls? Someone is surely awaiting news of these two."
"Durn, how far is it to Oleg's? Are there any other settlements nearby that these two might be from?"
Durn say, Stay back while I survey the scene.
He will then take his time looking at everything from the fletching of the arrows to the tracks made by the men. gauging varying depthes of impression, heel marks, etc to gauge the numbers/race/etc.
Turning to Bellis, "Shall we prepare a pyre or gather stones?"
"Indeed. Although I beleive a Pyre may be better in this case. The vultures here are large and may still be able to get at the bodies." Bellis continues to stare at the bodies whilst she speaks to Eadric. She has seen death before many times, births dont always go well for the mother and her healing can't save everyone, but this is something completely different. She goes to examine the bodies but stops whilst Durn does his thing. Once he is finished she somehow manages to find the courage to move foward and examine the woman's body to try and discover how she died.
Heal
She then mutters a small prayer to Erastil for courage before picking the body up and moving it to a clear area where they can make a pyre. "Anyone want to help?" she announces with a frown "the least we can do is give them a good sendoff"
Eadric waits for Durn to finish surveying the scene and Bellis to finish her examination. He then joins Bellis gathering firewood for the pyre.
No Pyre... The smoke will be seen for miles and the bandits might come down on us. Make a cairn with stones if you can, or bury them if you must, but do so quickly I mean to put miles from here before nightfall... Also, cold camps from here on out unless we make camp where I can build a smoke blind. I feel for these people, but they have moved on in spirit, so what happens to their physical forms is of no concern to me.
Turning to Bellis, "Shall we prepare a pyre or gather stones?""Indeed. Although I beleive a Pyre may be better in this case. The vultures here are large and may still be able to get at the bodies." Bellis continues to stare at the bodies whilst she speaks to Eadric. She has seen death before many times, births dont always go well for the mother and her healing can't save everyone, but this is something completely different. She goes to examine the bodies but stops whilst Durn does his thing. Once he is finished she somehow manages to find the courage to move foward and examine the woman's body to try and discover how she died.
Heal1d20 + 7
She then mutters a small prayer to Erastil for courage before picking the body up and moving it to a clear area where they can make a pyre. "Anyone want to help?" she announces with a frown "the least we can do is give them a good sendoff"
What happened to the women if you care to share:
"With all due respect Durn, I am in agreement with Bellis here. I am concerned with the dignity of these people's remains. I also relish the opportunity to avenge their deaths. If the smoke hastens that opportunity, then let them come! They will not find easy pickings here again as long as I draw breath!"
Durn say, Stay back while I survey the scene.
He will then take his time looking at everything from the fletching of the arrows to the tracks made by the men. gauging varying depthes of impression, heel marks, etc to gauge the numbers/race/etc.
After a thorough examination following were th tracks originated from they go back to the main road then south for about a 1/4 mile and then off again to a hidden spot off the main road, you see that they were humanoid, most likely around human size and weight, could be half-orc, half elf, or elf though, the boot prints are pretty faded. You are estimating between 6-10 people including the same number of horses that were left at the hidden spot. Their tracks head south along the same path you are going. You think the are about 3-4 days old. With horses you know they will be hard to track unless they stop for an extended period of time.
You guys take a 20 on search and look about the area and find a small locket with a painted picture on it of 3 people that is in the brush just outside of the clearing. A man, a women, and a small girl are depicted in it. You take one more look around but don't find the body of a girl.
The thought that a small child may have fallen into the hands of the bandits thoroughly incenses Eadric. A fierce look of grim determination is etched upon his face.
"We must follow these scum, for all that is decent and holy!"
You notice that underlying his obvious anger is a hint of great sadness.
"With all due respect Durn, I am in agreement with Bellis here. I am concerned with the dignity of these people's remains. I also relish the opportunity to avenge their deaths. If the smoke hastens that opportunity, then let them come! They will not find easy pickings here again as long as I draw breath!"
Do you think they'll come riding down us with trumpets blaring? No, they know this land better then us, they will ambush us... They will strike us where they want, they will hit us as we go relieve ourselves in the morning... or when it is the dead of night and only one sentry is up. I will not risk the lives of my companions. We WILL find these people but let us do it on our terms rather than theres. Keep in mind the living my young friend, because the dead are past all cares.
Of course feel free to continue to post as much as you want though, like to see everyone getting into character and don't worry action is not too far off...
Eadric stares at Durn, a simmering rage barely contained. Thoughts of the tavern indecent force their way into his consciousness.
"Fine. We can build a cairn of stout stones to keep the scavengers from desecrating the graves. But you must pledge to me that we will not allow this transgression to go unpunished! Lead on Durn. Lead on, that we might cross paths with these villains again!"
:)
Also we will be unable to follow them. they were on horseback, we are on foot. The tracks are already several days old. I could attempt to catch them on my horse, but 1 against 10 are not the best odds.
But do not worry, we will find them eventually... The Greenbelt will give me her secrets and then we shall have them.
After about half an hour, Ellaria comes back to the scene while the others are finishing to build the cairns for both corpses. The smell receding, she feels well enough to sit on a nearby rock and watch her friends work, while they tell her the so-far results of the investigation. Hearing Durn say that the camps from now on will be cold makes her even more miserable and she wraps her cloak around herself, shivering slightly, either from terror or from the cold.
”I realize that our lack of horses is a serious disadvantage in our pursuit. Which is why I was in favour of hopefully luring the bandits back to us. Eventually is not a luxury that the missing little girl is want to peg her hopes on! I will not be sated until the safety of that child is secured and the murder of her parents is avenged! Woe to me, and to you, if our tardiness allows harm to befall the child!”
"I must agree with Goodman Eadric. Even if we must do without a few things, and even if we must push ourselves harder, it is imperative for us to catch up with these scum. Four days is already far too long for this little girl to be held hostage. We must not let another moment go by without us following in pursuit."
Do not threaten me, Pup. I don't know what ghosts you're running from but if you ever get it in your head to come at me I will place an arrow into your heart and mourn the loss of a comrade.
Durn will walk away from the group after this. Remembering everything about the scene. The fletching on the arrows, the size and shape of the horseshoes.
Eadric’s reaction to Durn’s admonishment and threat is initially one of stunned silence.
After Durn has stalked off , Eadric speaks, to no one in particular, a touch of weariness and defeat in his voice, ”I know that my previous incident with Lupus has left an impression of me that I myself find repulsive... one that I hope to change for the better... but I can assure you that I meant no threat to Durn, implied or otherwise. Or anyone else present for that matter. I know he is a good man, just like the rest of you.
He is right though. I do have issues which I am having a hard time dealing with, and I will endevour to keep those from influencing my behaviour as best as I can.
However, my desire to fulfill my oath to protect the innocent does not always allow me the comfort of procedeing in the safest way available. I take my responsibility to the good people of the Greenbelt, those that we are sworn to protect, very seriously. Even the threat of death will not dissuade me from my path. Do not think me reckless with my life, nor with yours. I do not take this lightly or in disregard for your safety. I am, however, willing to lay my life on the line for the sake of that little girl.
I’m not suggesting that we light a fire, lay about defenseless and wait to be murdered in our sleep. But is it any safer to continue travelling down a road whilst bandits may lay in ambush around every corner?
I know we cannot run the bandits down. I was only ever thinking of the child. I would gladly lay down my life in forfiet for hers.”
After a long pause, Eadric concludes, ”I will do whatever you good people decide to do in the end... I mean to serve.”
With his plea heard, Eadric turns and continues piling rocks upon the cairn.
Obi helps with building the cairn, surprisingly able to pick up a few of the largerer ones(one at a time) and place them correctly.
He takes a small break to drink from his water skin and gazes out in the direction of Durn left, watching to make sure he doesn't go to far away for quick help. He also ponders Eadric's question from earlier. Would he have tried to stop them, raise his hand and magic against a knight? "I'm not sure" is the only answer he can come up with, and it bothered him.
Ellaria listens quietly to Eadric's soliloquy, then starts tearing with herself. She keeps thinking about the horrible scene she saw earlier, and can't really get rid of thinking about it. Somehow, the stories and adventures she has always read and liked never described such things, with the sights and smells of such carnage. And the bird noises... Ellaria lowers her head and tries to regain control of herself by breathing slowly. After a few moments, she raises her head again, still sitting on her rock, watching her comrades finish the cairn.
Seeing Ellaria's distress, Eadric takes a break from piling stones and walks over to where she sits upon her rock.
He reaches out and gives her shoulder a reassuring squeeze.
"It isn't quite what you expected is it? Out here is the 'real' world? I would like to say that is gets easier, but that would be a lie. With time, you learn to deal with it out however you can. Some become hardened to it, some try to hide from it, some drink in an attempt to forget or bottle it up inside... but it never leaves you. Nor should it really. It may be painful and unpleasant but it is a great disservice to those that have suffered...." Eadric's voice trail off. He looks weary and thoroughly unconvinced by his own words.
He clears a little patch of ground beside Ellaria and sits down beside her, to take a few moments break, and to lend a little support to a comrade.
The group finishes the Cairns and spends a few moments saying a few words for the dead. You start back on the road south towards the Green Belt, knowing that you are just touching the edge of this lawless land. The rest of the day goes by without incident nor much talk, the images of what you have seen silencing anyone's desire to speak much. By now you know your duties at night and with efficiency the camp is set up for another night.
This night with no fire, cold rations, and I assume a watch takes shape.
You awaken the next morning, some of you with a new resolve, others wishing that you had not taken this charge to begin with. One thing is for certain, you want those responsible for the sensless violence to pay for what happened.
It is Starday, Gozran the 6th. The weather is still holding out and appears to be forming into a nice day. You spend 1/2 of the day following the trail and actually start to see some scattered woodlands mixed in with the plains. Just after you have settled for lunch and get back on the trail, you are passing through some very light woods when you a curious sight. A large mound of earth seems to cross the trail as well as on either side. The best way you can describe it is that there is a small 10' foot bulge in the earth that seems to travel perpendicular to the trail. You are 50' feet from the edge of the trail that the bulge appears.
I will be posting a map in a little while on the shared site, please give me an initiative roll and then tell me what you plan to do in a spoiler box after you look at the map, include what hex you move too if you move.
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Eadric growls out to his comrades to, "Watch the flanks! It might be an ambush!"
The "Bulge" doesn't look like a manmade rampart and is about 1.5 feet (.5 meters) above the other ground around it.