Rick realizes, too late, he has committed the gravest sin a rogue can perform: being a rat. He can only pray no one else will find out.
In each case, barring any protests remain from anyone, the group is quickly escorted to a barn and their lodgings for the night, a building nearby containing enough (improvised) beds for them to spend the night without too much issue. Pallen however, as well as anyone else either insistent, or willing to pay enough, finds themselves in some "proper" lodging, even if it's just in the form of stealing someone else's bed for the night. But before it gets that far, the party does finally get a bit of alone time, away from the other villagers, at which point Pallen finally dares speak.
"Now we're alone I think I can say... If you ask me, about this whole mess? It's just all too convenient."
"You all arrive, and the first thing he brings up is how they might not be paying you your full due because circumstances changed? And the weird stuff you found, it could easily be faked?" he asked, posing it as a question as the elf clearly figures he doesn't need to explicitly state his guess.
"...I'm not sure as to the 'why' part I admit, but it just feels off."
"Well, if it is something to do with illicit substances, someone could be faking strange happenings to cover their production and sales. Or maybe they want to drag people into searching those ruins for anything 'strange' that can be sold as an artifact. Or banditry could be involved."
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Active Characters: Ernos, Tiefling Warlock in Tests and Trials | Khond Stardancer,Centaur Rogue in The Forgotten Wish | Blumeria "Bolt" Sirgula,Dragonborn Fighter/Sorcerer in Forged In Chaos
"It almost feels like its a ploy to drum up tourism... I mean, why else would anyone travel here... err, unless they were heading into the woods for a similar purpose."
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DM:Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
"Or the kid that tried to tell Rick about this isn't confident in whatever their parents are trying to do, and was just trying to get out of trouble."
"I'm not sure honestly, especially the end goal. The guild should at least partially reimburse you guys if these folks don't come through. It'll be up to you all to investigate tomorrow... After the job is done."
(Are there people volunteering to take a night shift to help guard? Give me perception rolls if so)
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
When they reach their 'lodging' Sylvera is... less than pleased. Regardless, she decides to stay silent on the matter for once, seeming to realize that she hasn't made the best first impression on the townsfolk already. Does it matter to her? Maybe... Maybe not. Either way, she decides to simply take to whatever excuse for a room they have in this camp, and get her four hours of meditation in while everyone else seems ready to keep watch for who knows how long.
Once she is rested, she'll take watch if needed... or even if there is someone else currently on watch, as she has nothing better to do at the moment.
Khond isn't thinking about keeping watch. He has another task in mind. He'll escort Pallen to his room once he's ready to settle down, and when they're alone he'll broach the subject, "There is one other thing that I should... Discuss with you. Your belongings, your money, is there... anywhere, or anyone that it should be given to? Any close friends or charitable groups that you would wish to provide support to?"
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Active Characters: Ernos, Tiefling Warlock in Tests and Trials | Khond Stardancer,Centaur Rogue in The Forgotten Wish | Blumeria "Bolt" Sirgula,Dragonborn Fighter/Sorcerer in Forged In Chaos
Before anything else, as everyone is getting ready for bed, Khond takes a moment to talk with Pallen. The old elf pauses for a moment in thought at the question, but then shakes his head.
"Ah... You shouldn't worry about that. I have a friend looking out for all that. I..."
"... If you'd be willing to check out he can manage, that would be fine. And apologize to him from me if you do. I regret we did not leave under the best of terms."
Khond places a hand on Pallen's shoulder, "I'll make sure he knows you did not hold to hard feelings. I'm sure it will take a weight off his shoulders."
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Active Characters: Ernos, Tiefling Warlock in Tests and Trials | Khond Stardancer,Centaur Rogue in The Forgotten Wish | Blumeria "Bolt" Sirgula,Dragonborn Fighter/Sorcerer in Forged In Chaos
(Khond specified alone, so gonna say that Rick was not privvy to that brief conversation. Unless you have good enough reason to want to try and trail without being noticed the moment Khond brings Pallen to his room.)
One way or another, while not all apply themselves to help keep watch, night starts with a rudimentary guard forming. Breldo is first, together with Gerald, who shares a bit more about his "troublesome son".
"Hmf, he did get something stupid in his head after all... I don't think he actually helped who or whatever judging from his reaction, but still. Told him to stay put tonight."f
That's the only bit of useful intel that the halfling gets however, as the rest of the night is, from his perspective, peaceful, the forest just a bit too far for predators to even come out toward the village. Likewise, all beside Oren who is more experienced in the art of war, seem to be just a bit too tired to really pay attention through their parts of the night shift. By the end of night, nothing has happened... But neither have any kids disappeared again as far as can be told, so perhaps all is good.
(I'm presuming no one has anything special they want to do in the morning?)
The group gets some basic porridge delivered to them in way of breakfast. And while their current hosts seem eager to know what the group will do next, they seem to understand the gist there is something else to "take care of" first.
Whoever goes investigate Pallens room first hears a painful wince come from inside.
Rick enters room to find Pallen wincing on the bed, though he quickly tries to compose himself the moment he hears the tabaxi enter. He acts as if things are still mostly okay, although it's evident that it's not. While signs of the wasting can't be seen plainly, that's only because he very intentionally keeps covered as much as is possible. Some of his movements seem to suggest he's basically lost complete control over maneuvering his arms. It might even be possible his right arm is permanently affixed to his side, unable to be moved from it entirely.
"I'm... Okay. Okay enough," the elf says, perhaps aware that anyone can tell that just "okay" would be a lie. "We finish the journey today, so it's all fine. I just need a few bites, if you can help. Best to get everyone ready so we can get on the road and finish it all."
Rick realizes, too late, he has committed the gravest sin a rogue can perform: being a rat. He can only pray no one else will find out.
In each case, barring any protests remain from anyone, the group is quickly escorted to a barn and their lodgings for the night, a building nearby containing enough (improvised) beds for them to spend the night without too much issue. Pallen however, as well as anyone else either insistent, or willing to pay enough, finds themselves in some "proper" lodging, even if it's just in the form of stealing someone else's bed for the night. But before it gets that far, the party does finally get a bit of alone time, away from the other villagers, at which point Pallen finally dares speak.
"Now we're alone I think I can say... If you ask me, about this whole mess? It's just all too convenient."
"You all arrive, and the first thing he brings up is how they might not be paying you your full due because circumstances changed? And the weird stuff you found, it could easily be faked?" he asked, posing it as a question as the elf clearly figures he doesn't need to explicitly state his guess.
"...I'm not sure as to the 'why' part I admit, but it just feels off."
"Well, if it is something to do with illicit substances, someone could be faking strange happenings to cover their production and sales. Or maybe they want to drag people into searching those ruins for anything 'strange' that can be sold as an artifact. Or banditry could be involved."
Active Characters:
Ernos, Tiefling Warlock in Tests and Trials | Khond Stardancer, Centaur Rogue in The Forgotten Wish | Blumeria "Bolt" Sirgula, Dragonborn Fighter/Sorcerer in Forged In Chaos
"It almost feels like its a ploy to drum up tourism... I mean, why else would anyone travel here... err, unless they were heading into the woods for a similar purpose."
DM: Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
Active Characters:
Breldo, Halfling Ranger | Kathryn, Wood Elf Rogue/Ranger | Kroshav, Dragonborn Paladin | T'laren Farsiel, Wood Elf Fighter | Trill, Kenku Bard | Val "Janellae", Mark of Shadow Elf Warlock
Pallen shrugs slightly.
"Or the kid that tried to tell Rick about this isn't confident in whatever their parents are trying to do, and was just trying to get out of trouble."
"I'm not sure honestly, especially the end goal. The guild should at least partially reimburse you guys if these folks don't come through. It'll be up to you all to investigate tomorrow... After the job is done."
(Are there people volunteering to take a night shift to help guard? Give me perception rolls if so)
Breldo Perception: 7
DM: Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
Active Characters:
Breldo, Halfling Ranger | Kathryn, Wood Elf Rogue/Ranger | Kroshav, Dragonborn Paladin | T'laren Farsiel, Wood Elf Fighter | Trill, Kenku Bard | Val "Janellae", Mark of Shadow Elf Warlock
Halfling Powers Activate: 18
DM: Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
Active Characters:
Breldo, Halfling Ranger | Kathryn, Wood Elf Rogue/Ranger | Kroshav, Dragonborn Paladin | T'laren Farsiel, Wood Elf Fighter | Trill, Kenku Bard | Val "Janellae", Mark of Shadow Elf Warlock
Perception: 18
Oren will be willing to do whatever hours or watch are needed.
When they reach their 'lodging' Sylvera is... less than pleased. Regardless, she decides to stay silent on the matter for once, seeming to realize that she hasn't made the best first impression on the townsfolk already. Does it matter to her? Maybe... Maybe not. Either way, she decides to simply take to whatever excuse for a room they have in this camp, and get her four hours of meditation in while everyone else seems ready to keep watch for who knows how long.
Once she is rested, she'll take watch if needed... or even if there is someone else currently on watch, as she has nothing better to do at the moment.
Perception: 6
On second thought, her eyes seem rather blurry... and she forgot to exit her tent (if she's in one lol).
Khond isn't thinking about keeping watch. He has another task in mind. He'll escort Pallen to his room once he's ready to settle down, and when they're alone he'll broach the subject, "There is one other thing that I should... Discuss with you. Your belongings, your money, is there... anywhere, or anyone that it should be given to? Any close friends or charitable groups that you would wish to provide support to?"
Active Characters:
Ernos, Tiefling Warlock in Tests and Trials | Khond Stardancer, Centaur Rogue in The Forgotten Wish | Blumeria "Bolt" Sirgula, Dragonborn Fighter/Sorcerer in Forged In Chaos
Before anything else, as everyone is getting ready for bed, Khond takes a moment to talk with Pallen. The old elf pauses for a moment in thought at the question, but then shakes his head.
"Ah... You shouldn't worry about that. I have a friend looking out for all that. I..."
"... If you'd be willing to check out he can manage, that would be fine. And apologize to him from me if you do. I regret we did not leave under the best of terms."
Nuria has a hard time sleeping with all the thoughts running through her head. So she occasionally will peak outside.
Perception: 15
Rick is lost in his shame for a long while, not really caring what the villagers are up to, but does perk up at Khond's questions to Pallen,
"Rick can help Khond. Rick thinks friend Khond will need the company."
He nods to confirm it has been decided.
Rick won't do a watch and since everyone is in the barn will opt to climb up to a nice, thick rafter to sleep.
Khond places a hand on Pallen's shoulder, "I'll make sure he knows you did not hold to hard feelings. I'm sure it will take a weight off his shoulders."
Active Characters:
Ernos, Tiefling Warlock in Tests and Trials | Khond Stardancer, Centaur Rogue in The Forgotten Wish | Blumeria "Bolt" Sirgula, Dragonborn Fighter/Sorcerer in Forged In Chaos
(Khond specified alone, so gonna say that Rick was not privvy to that brief conversation. Unless you have good enough reason to want to try and trail without being noticed the moment Khond brings Pallen to his room.)
One way or another, while not all apply themselves to help keep watch, night starts with a rudimentary guard forming. Breldo is first, together with Gerald, who shares a bit more about his "troublesome son".
"Hmf, he did get something stupid in his head after all... I don't think he actually helped who or whatever judging from his reaction, but still. Told him to stay put tonight."f
That's the only bit of useful intel that the halfling gets however, as the rest of the night is, from his perspective, peaceful, the forest just a bit too far for predators to even come out toward the village. Likewise, all beside Oren who is more experienced in the art of war, seem to be just a bit too tired to really pay attention through their parts of the night shift. By the end of night, nothing has happened... But neither have any kids disappeared again as far as can be told, so perhaps all is good.
(Nah, Rick would have missed it)
(I'm presuming no one has anything special they want to do in the morning?)
The group gets some basic porridge delivered to them in way of breakfast. And while their current hosts seem eager to know what the group will do next, they seem to understand the gist there is something else to "take care of" first.
Whoever goes investigate Pallens room first hears a painful wince come from inside.
Rick would head up,
"Boss Pallen okay? Rick is here to help."
He'll open the door slowly,
"Rick has basic porridge."
Rick enters room to find Pallen wincing on the bed, though he quickly tries to compose himself the moment he hears the tabaxi enter. He acts as if things are still mostly okay, although it's evident that it's not. While signs of the wasting can't be seen plainly, that's only because he very intentionally keeps covered as much as is possible. Some of his movements seem to suggest he's basically lost complete control over maneuvering his arms. It might even be possible his right arm is permanently affixed to his side, unable to be moved from it entirely.
"I'm... Okay. Okay enough," the elf says, perhaps aware that anyone can tell that just "okay" would be a lie. "We finish the journey today, so it's all fine. I just need a few bites, if you can help. Best to get everyone ready so we can get on the road and finish it all."
Rick's ear tips down briefly but he puts on a Slick smile quick enough,
"Sure, Boss Pallen. Rick is here to help."
Rick will help Pallen eat, the whole bowl, and insist on helping him use the facilities.
"Boss Pallen's last day on the road, Boss want to wear anything nice?"
If so, Rick will help with that or just help him clean up what he has, shave if needs it as well. Generally just him looking however Pallen wants.