After packing her kit and seeing the squad start moving around, Ceragia heads out to harness up her pony.
Morning Colross, breaking your fast i see. Mind if i join ya?
Ceragia gets her mount and returns to the front of the billet house and joins Colross with some hardened bread and cheese from her pack. Sootee emerges from his pack and has some cheese and water as well.
I hope we find some answers out there and not just a lot of headaches. If the marching order permits I hope to be able to see more than the horses arse in front of me.with a chuckleDo you know which direction we will be heading?
i will stay and eat with Colross until the return of the corporal
Cantrips-mage hand,ray of frost,acid splas
1st lvl-true strike,mage armor,burning hands
Continues to meditate to focus on the task at hand, every now and then looking around to see how everyone is doing in case they might need assistance with something.
Colross continues eating only stopping long enough to attempt a smile at Ceragia as she settles in, seeming some what distracted he is dividing his attention between the Corporal and Ceragia. Amused and somewhat fascinated he watches Ceragia's interactions with the little Brock. The thing has knowing behind it's eyes, intelligence and more so that of a camp dog.
Caern awoke and began his morning rituals. He prayed to the Lady and drew her words from the deck.
Once this was done he sorted out his equipment and made sure everything was in its place. He made a last minute run to the general store for a few more waterskins and waited for the squad to head to breakfast.
Corporal Hearn heads out of the barracks area towards another district, it seemed that she was intent on something.
Contract: Escort cartographers to seek out the changes wrought upon the wastes.
Duration: Three weeks to a month
Pay: Standard fee plus hazard, if applicable.
Patron: Eidelvin Cartography
Details: Escorts to be met at Edelvin maphouse, and will direct the squad further.
Signed,
Second Talon Prescott, 28th of Desnus.
A thin wax stamp of a feather and talon are under the name, the wax it was stamped in carmine.
Colross rolls up the scroll and places it back in the Corporals kit as he had found it. Walking over to Ceragia he sits back down across from her a gazes into her eyes. With her questioning glance, he says...
"She has studied that scroll everytime she has been in our presence. It pained me to think that there was something the Corporal was not telling us. It was not as such. I will not doubt her again."
.....
With sing language
She may have told you all the document says, but not everything else that is not written on it, otherwise she wouldn't need to read it so often
Looking over at Jaqen, see the man waiving his fingers and making a series of hand movements. After he finishes, Colross pauses for a moment and considers it meaning...
"That may bare truth. If so, it is not a good thing. A Murder could not function without open lines of communication. Any lack of information could find holes in the units armor. Maybe we should confront her during our departure."
Gazing at the other Colross shakes his head to confirm that Jaqen and Ceragia have come to an understanding.
Cruach is settled in at a table, feet upon it. His gear is already stowed in and on his pack, sword standing at the table with him. He watches everybody else carefully, raising an eyebrow at Colross' actions. "Telling you from experience, sneaker, that most officers really don't like it when you play with their things behind their backs. We have to trust each other if we want to live. Don't go wrecking things before they've even got off the ground. You want to know something from her, stand up and say so to her face."
The Kellid swings his legs off the table, letting them thump down for emphasis. "Confronting her, if you really don't trust her, would be for the best. Just make sure that you really want to do that. Might not go so well for you." Cruach gathers up his gear, strapping his large sword to his back, and takes to leaning against the entryway, waiting.
Viola returned a little under an hour later, re-entering the barracks with a serious demeanor. In her hand was a case that would hold rolled parchment. Upon entering, she took in everyone and nodded, reaching down to pick up her pack and shoulder it. "Alright Tempest Coven. It's time to move out. Breakfast is on me, and I'm taking you to the Copper Kettle. Who we're supposed to be escorting is going to meet us there. If you're not hungry, this is your last chance to get some last-minute pickups done." Pausing, she considered something for a moment, and added. "We should be returning here, but just the same, I wouldn't leave anything valuable here, were I you. Assemble outside, please."
With that, she turned and exited the barracks. Once the others exited, they would find her waiting, and upon assembling, she would ask and inspect, looking to see what preparations they had made for travel.
.......
Bows indicating that he acknowledges the order an steps outside the building, taking only the necessary.
Along the way to the breakfast
With sign language yeah by know everyone should know in the group what I say
Corporal Hearn, What troubles you, from the orders you seem like something bothers you or worries you, peering blankly into the document
The corporal frowned at Jaquen, looking confused at his gestures, and looked around at the rest. "Does anyone understand his manner of speaking? Did any of you sign on with him?"
The sky overhead had not changed, which was a blessing, since travelling in the rain was not very pleasant at all, and on the dirt roads they were likely to be on, it was going to be messy. The start of this mission was promising to be ugly. The populace of the city was up and about, however, going on about their daily work. Very fewer nobles or merchants were seen, though the ones that were were looking to make those last minute sales before the inclement weather threatened to lessen their potential for sales even more.
Following the corporal, they were being led out of the Barracks district, and from their direction and the signs, they were heading into the merchant's district. That thought was borne out by the changing of the signs to reflect that, the buildings changing from housing the martial inclined, towards those that dealt with the trading of goods and services, and paperwork of many kinds.
Caern assembled and was inspect in his armor and weaponry. The holy symbol still hung from his neck and he was silent as he followed them to the Copper Kettle.
I have spent point in linguistics and know sign.
I believe he is wondering what is troubling you when you read the scroll, I could be mistaken I just learned sign recently.
turning to Jaqenlooks like I'll be sticking close to you, which won't be easy given your tendency to vanish. Haha
I will take position in the marching order near Jaqen.
The Copper Kettle was a not-quite oddity among the general idea of inns. For most, the idea of an "inn" was a rented cot to sleep on, room optional, a tavern downstairs with edible fare, and a bar with enough to drink to make the fare edible if it were not. The Copper Kettle had no such spare rooms for rent, did not host overnight guests, and was well-known for economical food that was cooked well, and was also of good quality. Given the nature of the food, it was a small wonder that the place was not busier.
The building was built in the local standard, though the stones and mortar of the building lacked that "smoothed" look of the other buildings that said it had likely seen some magical shaping. From the wooden ceiling beams, to the tables and chairs that made a token effort to be similar in quality, though not design. The entire air of the place was that of a pleased, easy-going confidence, and it could be felt by those who paid attention to that. There were several tables open when they walked in, but not many.
The Corporal led them towards an empty one without hesitation. Taking a chair, there was a nod of her head to the squad to do the same, and only then did she look towards Ceragia.
"We do not have anyone in this squad that is especially used to travelling the wilds, let alone the wastes", she said frankly. "We are going to have to find a guide if our patron's agents are.. less than capable." The expression on her face said that she was at least slightly dubious about whether or not they would be.
She looked to Smoke Raven and Jaqen as she continued before addressing Ceragia again. "The lighter we are, the faster we travel, the less we have to worry about trouble finding us or catching us."
She stopped there, as a server approached their table with a bit of caution, taking in the varied individuals seated there.
After hearing the Corporals words, Colross leaned towards here slightly and spoke...
"Hey, what you said before about moving fast...is the pack mule and all the extra food I got for the group going to be a burden?"
Cruach slumps into a chair, his pack creating a racket. "Don't worry about the extra food Colross! I'm sure I'll be able to eat it all before it becomes a problem. I'd get through it even faster if the Corporal would let me bring some good whiskey along."
Despite his trepidation, the serving boy gamely took their breakfast orders, only jumping when Sormul spoke, but managed to get their orders with no errors.
The Corporal shook her head at Smoke Raven's question, waiting until the serving boy had left to answer. "We need only move fast when we need to escape. It will be less of a burden the longer we travel."
Cruach got a raise of an eyebrow at his comment, though she looked past them towards the doors, watching who was coming in. "As long as it is strong enough to be flammable, I don't care what you bring, Cruach."
Despite the corporal's eyeing the door, their food arrived before their job did, and the food turned out to be not only edible at the least, but actually very good. It was not until they were almost done with their food did everyone notice the corporal look towards the door, and then straighten up, the almost relaxed air she had taken dissipating. "Eyes up, Coven. Her are our cartographers."
There was a slight frown on her face as if something was not what she was expecting, but by that time, their escorts had seen their table and were headed that way. There were two, one senior, and one junior, from the look of them. The senior was an older man, skin bronzed by the sun, and seeming like the kind of man that was unafraid of weather and the elements. A light beard covered his cheeks, and his expression carried the weight of knowledge.
The junior, however, was a kid. He may have been perhaps a year or two over the age to be called an "adult", but his frame was that of someone that one would expect a heavy pack to weigh more than him, and a stiff wind would send him tumbling head over heels. His fingers were long and articulate, and he definitely looked more the type to be reading stories about things, rather than heading out into the wastes. His eyes were a little too wide, he seemed a little too nervous, but he was following in the senior's shadow like he was used to it.
"Corporal Hearn", the senior greeted, his voice even and strong. He looked around at the rest of the squad seated around the table, giving a nod. "Everett Belkin. This is my subordinate, Atin Fairlight."
Caern ate in stoic silence. Once more pulling down the half-mask and revealing the extent of his scar.
As the corporal hardened he looked over his shoulder at the men and gave a nod after introductions. His expression did not change from its seemingly uncaring mask.
Cruach's face lights up like a child getting a present. "Well, that's the best news I've heard all day!" He quickly grabs a server and orders up enough of their hardest liquor to fill his flask.
As their employers arrive, he smiles toothily at the young man, hoping to scare him a little, but then turns his attention back to his food.
Ceragia chuckles a little watching Cruach eat and mostly drink. She finishes her meal and watches as the guides approach. She will stay seated and listen to the conversation between the corporal and the guides until it is time to set off.
His subordinate Atin is more nervous about the squad themselves, but it's almost harder to tell since he seems so anxious in general. He's definitely one of the fidgety types. You also notice that there's a small, elaborate marking on the midway point of his left forearm, on the underside, likely an Arcane Mark of some sort.
Upon seeing the squad still eating, Everett returns his attention to Viola, looking mildly curious. He looks like he wants to say something, but changes his mind with a slight shrug, as if what he was going to say was not that important. The both of them were wearing full packs, and Atin looked a little overburdened, but they made their way to the bar, where Everett doffed his pack with ease, but Atin had some difficulty shedding his, setting it on the floor with some relief before taking a seat next to his boss.
Corporal Hearn watched them take a seat and sighed, her expression looking like she was calculating something. "I had not expected Atin.. That boy looks to be so green that someone will have to keep an eye on him, just in case. I wouldn't be surprised to find that he's the type with no sense, like everything's a lesson in a book."
She gave them ten more minutes, then finished her mug, and set a stack of copper pieces on the table. "Alright Tempest Coven. Let's get out there and get this job done. I'll meet you all outside." Standing, she headed over to gather up the cartographers.
Having already broken his fast earlier in the morning, while making preparations, Smoke Raven partook of a few pints of small beer and swallowed a few of the salt tablets that he traded during his arrival.
Listening intently and eyeing their new charges, he remained silent still contemplating the awkwardness of the Corporals behavior. As the Corpral rose and order everyone to fall in outside, Colross stood drained his cup, wiped his chin and walked outside.
The corporal and the squads charges were out in a matter of minutes, not being one to mince words with anyone, let alone sugarcoat anything for the people that she was responsible for. Everett was explaining something to her as they exited, and there may have been a look of slight relief on her face.
"--the exception of some of the geographical features, the lay of the land is visible for several miles, making our task somewhat easier.. The changes are something else, and should be easy to spot." Their packs were back on, and Atin seemed to be gamely bearing his, but he looked like he would barely make the day.. Time would tell.
The squad got another once-over once they were assembled, though Atin was looking more at Trundle and Sormul in curiosity.
"Alright Tempest Coven. We're headed for the Golden Gate", Hearn said, shouldering her pack, her hands running over her items in a mental check. The Golden Gate was Quantium's southernmost gate, and was the closest gate to where they were at the moment.
Ceragia checked her gear and mounted up. Ceragia falls in line next to colross.
at least one of our guides seems to know what is going on out there
Looking at the corporal
she seems to be satisfied with our older guides.
She will continue on making conversation as th party heads out of town.
Cruach finishes breakfast in about 3 minutes, stuffing everything down his throat with practiced ease. He washes it all down with 3 mugs of beer, and leaves the place with his kit. Sighing in comfort, he steps up to his compatriots ready to leave the city.
Exiting the city is like crossing a dividing line into a completely different world. Any of the Coven that were not Quantium natives knew the extent of the differences between the city and the wilderness. The earth was barren, rocky, parched. Cracks networked their way across the ground, and the only thing that stopped visibility was the dust blowing in the warm wind. The possible rain would have been a welcome thing, but that carried its own dangers, and the only thing that could possibly mitigate it was the proximal effect to Quantium.
Something that the Tempest Coven could not rely on, the further they traveled.
Corporal Hearn was in the front, along with Everett, and once they got outside the gate, she looked to the pair of cartographers, her expression as empty as it had ever been. "Point the way. We are your escort, and I'm trusting you to not take any foolish risks with my squad."
Everett looked unimpressed, but Atin gulped audibly, and reached behind him into his pack to pull out a scroll case, unrolling a map. "We can make widening arcs around the city," he said, looking at the map and squinting at the dry, dusty wind.
Smoke Raven walks over to Atin and pats him on the back forcibly...
"You do not have to tote that burden yourself lad. Take that pack off. Its about to buckle your knees. You won't make it to the end of the day at this rate. Place it here on the travois, the beast can handle this and much more this way."
Smoke Raven offers Atin the reins and tries to help him off with the pack...
There was a relieved smile from Atin at Sormul's offer and assistance, stretching gratefully. "Appreciated", he thanked him, taking the reins and salvaging the scroll case and a pouch from the top of the backpack that clinked and rattled slightly.
Freed from the weight, he looked more alert and curious, his eyes looking over the squad again, and the questions could almost be seen bubbling to the top. Even before another half-mile had passed, there already had been questions asked of nearly everyone, with no particular end in sight.
(To Sormul)"I've never seen weapons like those, though you wear them with confidence... It looks like some sort of a modification to-- hmmm... What did you say your name was?"
(To Ceragia)"You don't carry any armor, and no significant weapons.. Your skill is in the arcane, yes? Do you know where it came from?
(To Cruach)"I've seen your type-- though not often.. what brought you here, if I can ask? Where did you train?"
(To Jaquen)"I haven't heard you speak yet.. Can you speak? Where are your weapons?"
The dry, dusty wind is persistent. Even at a light breeze, to look into the wind meant blindness for a second thanks to the loose dirt being carried, and a fine sheen of dust soon coats everything. Beyond the cracked ground, there is a dearth of plant life, though only the most hardy grass even dared attempt to grow, and even that was sparse. Outcroppings of rock could be seen, their surfaces smoothed by the blowing dirt, and the only thing that distinguished the road they were on from the rest of the ground were the artfully cut stones that were placed at wide intervals, leading back to the wall and the great door to the city.
Cruach smiles devilishly as he answers the boy, "I trained my sword arm by fighting for my life over years and thousands of miles filled with dangerous beasts and men out for my blood. My skill was earned through being vicious enough to outlast everyone who's tried to kill me, boy. Remember that."
Caern walked along quietly. the rattle of his chainmail more prominent than his voice. The youth was wild with curiosity, good for someone his age but also potentially dangerous for him. The squad would have their hands full.
It was a bit of a relief to know their charges knew more of the situation in the wastes and he walked with a semi relaxed gait and kept his spear on his back.
"My name is Colross Sormul. My true name is Smoke Raven earned through the respect of the people of the Shoanti Clan of the Hawk. The weapons I don at my waist are the Raptors Talons, designed by my people to mimic the fearsome birds of prey my people so revere."
No i do not were armor or carry large weapons they hinder my ability to use magic. Now about where magic comes from....It is something you always have but are unaware of how to manifest it. when it is discovered that you have the gift then that is when you are schooled to understand how to control it.
The questions came more and more intermittently from Atin as the day wore on, though some of the nervousness left, and he was seen to relax more. As midday came in the wastes, the temperature rose, and they came to the first point where Everett called to Atin and they started a survey of the area. Using a couple of poles that had to be assembled (from Atin's pack, no less) they set up a shelter in the shade of a large rock formation, and the squad got to see some of what was in the large pouch that Atin carried.
One of which was a Telescope, which Everett used to survey their surroundings, comparing what he saw with what was depicted on their most recent map. The cut stones that had been used as markers for the road had stopped a little while back and they were using the city (A distant spot in the distance) as a navigating point. The other things that came out of the pouch was what looked like a wayfinder, and several pieces of shaped crystal. A blank map was unrolled and re-sketched according to directions that Everett gave, which did not sound like much to those not trained.
Viola quietly gathered the squad members, directing them here and there as the two Cartographers worked. "I expect they will be doing this at least twice a day, if this is any indication", she said. "The weather can get worse, and at a moment's notice, if we are not paying attention. I want you to spread out and keep watch, either pair up or at least stay within sight of each other." She turned to squint against the wind-blown dust, then back at the City.
"We should not see any trouble yet, but don't take anything for granted. Get it done, Tempest coven"
Grunting after the Corporal gave the order, Smoke Raven adjusted his head scarf and moved southward a bow shots range from the rest of the group. Wrapping the scarf across his mouth and nose he squinted toward the southerly approaches to the city...hands absently resting in his Talons...
Caern stood stoically overlooking the eastern edge of camp watching against the stinging sands.
Ceragia moves west of the squad about 20yds, wraps the scarf she has around her head and scans the horizon. If possible she will stay near Jaqen as well.
Give me a whistle or some sharp noise to let me know if you see anything
perception
At first, Sormul sees nothing, and things continue. It was not until a few minutes later, what looked to be a rock was slowly resolving itself into something else, and growing larger. Six legs, antennae, followed by another, questing about as they searched the waste. While they were not headed directly for them, if they kept wandering the way they were doing, they would stumble across the camp soon enough.
Smoke Raven crouched as soon as he spotted the silhouette on the horizon. reaching in his pack a pulling out a small steel mirror, Smoke Raven is careful to turn his back to the alien creature and angle the flash back towards his companions. taking notice of the first one to catch the flash he will give the signal to get down. Then lie prone on the ground himself waving the Corporal to his side.
perception
Seeing the flashing mirror I will move quietly in Colross's direction. If I see Jaqen I will hand signal to him that something has been spotted.
stealth
The corporal was moving shortly after she noticed Ceragia moving. In a few seconds, she was at Smoke Raven's side, looking at him, and then out in the direction that he was watching. "What is it?", she asked.
The lean-to that Everett and Atin had put up was somewhat visible, Everett having switched positions with Atin, who had his eyes closed, stretching one hand out while a silver and crystal pendant dangled from his hand. He seemed to be concentrating.
The wind had lessened somewhat, though whether that was a good or bad thing was anyone's guess. The dark clouds had already stolen some of the light of the day, and the rumblings of thunder carried far in this empty land. It was a curious question, though... once the rain began to fall, would the ground simply suck it up?
Stretching out his and pointing to the shapes on the horizon Colross draws a line from the Corporals nose down his arm to the shapes at the tip of his extended finger...
"Two creature multiple legs and antennae ranging this way from the south..."
Gazing back at the surveyors he squints and says to the Corporal...
"What do you think he's playing at?"
Corporal hearn shrugged, looking over her shoulder at their two charges and shook her head. "Reading the magic in the area? If there's any?" Those answers sounded like off-the shoulder guesses, and given that most of the area was somewhat, if not completely, empty of magic-- or so the rumors said, she was too busy looking at the shapes getting closer and then around at the area near them.
"Multiple Legs, Antennae.. Bugs. Hope they're the weak kind. Only two?" Standing, she drew her crossbow and began checking it over. "With any luck, they'll pass us by. If not, be prepared to deter them, kill them if you have to. There may be more than just two, however."
Knowledge arcana
I am moving off to the right about 25' so if there is a problem with magic it hopefully won't affect the whole party.
I move off and prepare to cast a heightened force missile.
Perception and spellcraft to pay attention to the subtleties of using magic.
Perception
Spellcraft
Colross remains silent as he removes his bow from his back. wedging the recurve on his instep he unfastens the string and flips it over pressing hard now on his foot to nock the bow string. Without pulling an arroe he begins to gaze around the surrounding landscape to see if their are any places to hide the party or brush to provide some sort of screen of concealment...
The Kellid moves closer to the two cartographers, hand at his sword if he needs to fight. "Usually these things run around in multiples. Why would we only find two?"
Corporal Hearn shrugged at Cruach's question. "I'm no Druid. I'll take what small favors I am allowed." She laid a bolt into the groove and looked around at their position, squinting into the wind to see if there were any more bugs that could be spotted. She seemed to see nothing that made her worried. "At the rate they are moving, it seems like it would be more accurate to say, 'Why would only two find us?'"
Everett glances at Cruach as he moves closer, but continues listening to Atin as he continues to ferret out details. Pausing, Atin looked down, lowering the crystal tube he was looking through, and saw the rest of the squad gathered. [b]"Something happening?", he asked, looking around at the waste around them.
"Not yet", Everett said calmly. "Continue."
Atin looked like he wanted to argue, but raised the tube back to an eye and kept calling out directions.
Cairn stood facing the west leaning on his spear. He was glad for his half mask; not so much that it hid his scar but mostly for it afforded him some relief from the constantly blowing dust. He wondered why the others were gathering in one spot and strained to see through swirliing sands.
Perception -
Not taking his eyes off the figures to the south and remaining prone Colross extracts an arrow from his quiver and knocks it on the gut string, watching the creatures movement intently.