Sitting by a fire, with a blanket wrapped round her to ward off the morning chill, Ophelia breaks the silence first, as the others eat their breakfasts, a sly smile on her face. "Anything interesting been happening on your patrols, boys? I'd hate to miss out on any gossip, since it seems you guards aren't the talkative type, especially when the common riff-raff such as Gryffen and I are concerned."
Kai smiles at Ophelia's self-depreciating comments and tries again "M'am I suspect you may be many things but 'common' and 'riff-raff' you're not. The only thing to note is that a horsemen was shadowing us yesterday so we may be in for an interesting time soon!"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM - Storm King's Thunder - The Gods Respond DM - Four bards walk into a bar... Cracitus Tibicen (Tibi) - Aarokocra - Rogue [Swashbuckler] / Fighter [Battlemaster]
”Well-deflected Kai, but I’m far more interested in the body in the woods. A caravan such as this is a wonderful rumour-mill you know, I’ve heard everything from goblins to the undead to bandits being responsible.”
Kai looks a bit shamefaced at being caught out not mentioning the body and responds "I keep forgetting that you've always got as they say 'your ear to the ground', but as far as I could work out it was a suicide. Although there was a second set of tracks which suggests that somebody either watched or came upon the body and did nothing about it!"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM - Storm King's Thunder - The Gods Respond DM - Four bards walk into a bar... Cracitus Tibicen (Tibi) - Aarokocra - Rogue [Swashbuckler] / Fighter [Battlemaster]
"One of the other guards, caravans got us on extra shifts now" Gideon interrupts after finishing a strip of bacon. "Selfish if you ask me" looking around at the others with a wry smirk he waits for any reaction to his last comment.
Gryffenhas been quiet for quite some time but he finally breaks his silence. "I caught the man trying to extort a young lass. He deigned to offer extra protection to her,"the halfling says. "You can only guess for what in return. I put a little fear into the lad, warning him about a life poorly lived. He pissed himself he was so scared. And then went and embraced death. Paradoxical."
"I've no care the man's dead but he could have been dealt with closer to Colat, your reason was just but we are now one sword arm lighter" Gideon makes the point as a matter of fact. Chewing another strip of bacon he adds "If intimidating him drove to that" he points over his shoulder at nothing in particular "maybe he's better off" the paladins voice trailed off as in thought before eating once again.
"So Gideon, what of the second set of tracks? Seems like it could just have easily been someone pointing a crossbow at him which 'drove him to that'." She ponders the situation for second, taking a bite out of an apple. "Do the rest of your guard companions seem like the kind to piss their pants, and then kill themselves, at the sight of a halfling telling them off? No offense intended, Gryffen."
"I don't think Kai is like that at all" Gideon says with a smile. "As for the second set of tracks you make a good point, I do not know, my fellow guardsman has a better eye for tracks than I"
Kai grins "I can assure you I've seen worse than Gryffen. But on a more serious note while Csengar may have been coerced in some way, he was a big man and I think he would have taken a chance on fighting back rather than meekly hanging himself because somebody pointed a crossbow at him and there is no sign of any struggle!"
"Maybe it was a big crossbow?" The half-elf shrugs nonchalantly. "Either way, I'm sure our worthy guardsmen will do their best to protect us all, no matter what strange happenings occur on this journey."
"In other news..." She leans forward and lowers her voice, giving her a conspiratorial air. "...I've made a new friend. Large man, on a cart near the front of the caravan. Goes by the name of Jarek Bedzin. An opportunity has allowed me to pose as the granddaughter of a now-deceased close associate of his... an associate involved in moving contraband from one point to another, to be precise. Still working on how I can use him once we are in Ameni, but regardless, he could prove useful. I've not had much of a chance to converse with you all on this trip so far, which is good, because should you need to, you will address me as Adria Kozalin."
Gryffensmirks at the slights against his non-threatening appearance but says nothing. As Opheliadescribes her opportunity, he wrinkles his nose. "I'm not interested," he says flatly. "Let's not derail the mission at hand, can we?"
Gryffen's dismissal of her news stings slightly, which becomes apparent in Ophelia's facial expression. Attempting to mask her feelings, and failing, she retorts with a hint of anger in her voice. "My dearest halfling, I work to support our mission. Regardless of what money may be made off my fledgling business partnership, we have a link with the world outside Ameni, be it for equipment, messages, a quick escape. A link that doesn't involve Dejan, or Kan, or any of the various middle-men we haven't met yet. Whether you are interested or not is irrelevant, whether you are informed or not, is. This is what I do Gryffen, I make friends with people, and use them. Deceitfully, and usually for my own benefit, I grant you that, but in this case it benefits you as well."
"That would be very much appreciated." Ophelia takes another bite from her apple, and throws it into the nearby bushes as she gets to her feet. "Speaking of which, I've got a cart to prepare for travel. Enjoy your day, boys." With that, she wanders off towards her cart, coughing slightly.
After Ophelia departs the party have to start to get moving. The day begins without incident the hols looming closer all the time. Just after lunch the caravan comes across a smaller caravan going in the opposite direction, Gideon is riding point when it comes along and signals to the other Outriders to warn the caravan. After both caravans have stopped near ech other a small group from each side meet and discuss the road ahead for each of them. The new caravan's leader explains that they had been attacked by bandits two nights previously, two of the wagons had been lost but they had bloodied the raiders quite badly, killing six before they retreated although they did lose two of their own guardsmen and two of the drivers from the wagons they torched to cover their retreat.
As the other caravan departs again they make good time and by nightfall they are setting up camp right at the start of the hills they will need to spend the next few days going through.
There is little opportunity to talk as a four that night they guards are told they must be sleeping if they are not on duty from now on and the Chief clearly intends to see this done.
Night falls over the camp
DM roll 15
Nothing of note happens during the night. The party share breakfast together again, with the opportunity to discuss any matters arising.
The day begins quietly both Kai and Gideon are off duty at first and ride alongside the wagons belonging to Alson as the fifth day gets underway, the hills begin to lead their course, the wagons avoiding unnecessary rises and falls even though it means a more circuitous route. Lunch comes and goes and the guards change shift, with Kai riding point and Gideon not far behind, after an hour or so Kai feels more than sees something his eyes scanning for any sign of company. He sees nothing but the gnawing feeling that they are being watched won't leave him.
Back in the caravan Gryffen and Ophelia are again accompanied by Zsena who steers her caravan with practised skill and easily holds a light hearted conversation with Ophelia while Gryffen yawns repeatedly.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Vhon - Level 2 Warlock - What shall become of the Drunken Sailor?
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
After an hour or so Kai feels more than sees something his eyes scanning for any sign of company. He sees nothing but the gnawing feeling that they are being watched won't leave him.
Perception - 10 to see if he can narrow down his hunch - i.e. can he determine the direction they're being observed from. With a roll like that he probably has no idea.
"Psst" Kai signals to Gideon to come closer. When he approaches he continues "I'm pretty sure something is watching us from that{DM insert direction} direction. Make your way back slowly to the rest and let them know."
Ophelia
Sitting by a fire, with a blanket wrapped round her to ward off the morning chill, Ophelia breaks the silence first, as the others eat their breakfasts, a sly smile on her face. "Anything interesting been happening on your patrols, boys? I'd hate to miss out on any gossip, since it seems you guards aren't the talkative type, especially when the common riff-raff such as Gryffen and I are concerned."
Kai smiles at Ophelia's self-depreciating comments and tries again "M'am I suspect you may be many things but 'common' and 'riff-raff' you're not. The only thing to note is that a horsemen was shadowing us yesterday so we may be in for an interesting time soon!"
DM - Storm King's Thunder - The Gods Respond
DM - Four bards walk into a bar...
Cracitus Tibicen (Tibi) - Aarokocra - Rogue [Swashbuckler] / Fighter [Battlemaster]
Ophelia
”Well-deflected Kai, but I’m far more interested in the body in the woods. A caravan such as this is a wonderful rumour-mill you know, I’ve heard everything from goblins to the undead to bandits being responsible.”
Kai looks a bit shamefaced at being caught out not mentioning the body and responds "I keep forgetting that you've always got as they say 'your ear to the ground', but as far as I could work out it was a suicide. Although there was a second set of tracks which suggests that somebody either watched or came upon the body and did nothing about it!"
DM - Storm King's Thunder - The Gods Respond
DM - Four bards walk into a bar...
Cracitus Tibicen (Tibi) - Aarokocra - Rogue [Swashbuckler] / Fighter [Battlemaster]
Ophelia
"Now that is interesting..." Ophelia ponders the new information for a second before asking a further question. "And who was the unfortunate soul?"
"One of the other guards, caravans got us on extra shifts now" Gideon interrupts after finishing a strip of bacon. "Selfish if you ask me" looking around at the others with a wry smirk he waits for any reaction to his last comment.
Gryffen has been quiet for quite some time but he finally breaks his silence. "I caught the man trying to extort a young lass. He deigned to offer extra protection to her," the halfling says. "You can only guess for what in return. I put a little fear into the lad, warning him about a life poorly lived. He pissed himself he was so scared. And then went and embraced death. Paradoxical."
"I've no care the man's dead but he could have been dealt with closer to Colat, your reason was just but we are now one sword arm lighter" Gideon makes the point as a matter of fact. Chewing another strip of bacon he adds "If intimidating him drove to that" he points over his shoulder at nothing in particular "maybe he's better off" the paladins voice trailed off as in thought before eating once again.
Ophelia
"So Gideon, what of the second set of tracks? Seems like it could just have easily been someone pointing a crossbow at him which 'drove him to that'." She ponders the situation for second, taking a bite out of an apple. "Do the rest of your guard companions seem like the kind to piss their pants, and then kill themselves, at the sight of a halfling telling them off? No offense intended, Gryffen."
"I don't think Kai is like that at all" Gideon says with a smile. "As for the second set of tracks you make a good point, I do not know, my fellow guardsman has a better eye for tracks than I"
Kai grins "I can assure you I've seen worse than Gryffen. But on a more serious note while Csengar may have been coerced in some way, he was a big man and I think he would have taken a chance on fighting back rather than meekly hanging himself because somebody pointed a crossbow at him and there is no sign of any struggle!"
DM - Storm King's Thunder - The Gods Respond
DM - Four bards walk into a bar...
Cracitus Tibicen (Tibi) - Aarokocra - Rogue [Swashbuckler] / Fighter [Battlemaster]
Ophelia
"Maybe it was a big crossbow?" The half-elf shrugs nonchalantly. "Either way, I'm sure our worthy guardsmen will do their best to protect us all, no matter what strange happenings occur on this journey."
"In other news..." She leans forward and lowers her voice, giving her a conspiratorial air. "...I've made a new friend. Large man, on a cart near the front of the caravan. Goes by the name of Jarek Bedzin. An opportunity has allowed me to pose as the granddaughter of a now-deceased close associate of his... an associate involved in moving contraband from one point to another, to be precise. Still working on how I can use him once we are in Ameni, but regardless, he could prove useful. I've not had much of a chance to converse with you all on this trip so far, which is good, because should you need to, you will address me as Adria Kozalin."
Gryffen smirks at the slights against his non-threatening appearance but says nothing. As Ophelia describes her opportunity, he wrinkles his nose. "I'm not interested," he says flatly. "Let's not derail the mission at hand, can we?"
Ophelia
Gryffen's dismissal of her news stings slightly, which becomes apparent in Ophelia's facial expression. Attempting to mask her feelings, and failing, she retorts with a hint of anger in her voice. "My dearest halfling, I work to support our mission. Regardless of what money may be made off my fledgling business partnership, we have a link with the world outside Ameni, be it for equipment, messages, a quick escape. A link that doesn't involve Dejan, or Kan, or any of the various middle-men we haven't met yet. Whether you are interested or not is irrelevant, whether you are informed or not, is. This is what I do Gryffen, I make friends with people, and use them. Deceitfully, and usually for my own benefit, I grant you that, but in this case it benefits you as well."
Gryffen holds up his hands in surrender. "Duly noted," he says. "I will maintain your cover story with my dying breath."
Having also been on the wrong side of Ophelia's tongue before, Kai grins at Gryffen's discomfort.
DM - Storm King's Thunder - The Gods Respond
DM - Four bards walk into a bar...
Cracitus Tibicen (Tibi) - Aarokocra - Rogue [Swashbuckler] / Fighter [Battlemaster]
Ophelia
"That would be very much appreciated." Ophelia takes another bite from her apple, and throws it into the nearby bushes as she gets to her feet. "Speaking of which, I've got a cart to prepare for travel. Enjoy your day, boys." With that, she wanders off towards her cart, coughing slightly.
After Ophelia departs the party have to start to get moving. The day begins without incident the hols looming closer all the time. Just after lunch the caravan comes across a smaller caravan going in the opposite direction, Gideon is riding point when it comes along and signals to the other Outriders to warn the caravan. After both caravans have stopped near ech other a small group from each side meet and discuss the road ahead for each of them. The new caravan's leader explains that they had been attacked by bandits two nights previously, two of the wagons had been lost but they had bloodied the raiders quite badly, killing six before they retreated although they did lose two of their own guardsmen and two of the drivers from the wagons they torched to cover their retreat.
As the other caravan departs again they make good time and by nightfall they are setting up camp right at the start of the hills they will need to spend the next few days going through.
There is little opportunity to talk as a four that night they guards are told they must be sleeping if they are not on duty from now on and the Chief clearly intends to see this done.
Night falls over the camp
DM roll 15
Nothing of note happens during the night. The party share breakfast together again, with the opportunity to discuss any matters arising.
Vhon - Level 2 Warlock - What shall become of the Drunken Sailor?
Lyreis - Level 6 Elf Fighter - Eberron: Omega
DM - Dzenda: The Cracks - DM - Dzenda: Whispered Tales
The day begins quietly both Kai and Gideon are off duty at first and ride alongside the wagons belonging to Alson as the fifth day gets underway, the hills begin to lead their course, the wagons avoiding unnecessary rises and falls even though it means a more circuitous route. Lunch comes and goes and the guards change shift, with Kai riding point and Gideon not far behind, after an hour or so Kai feels more than sees something his eyes scanning for any sign of company. He sees nothing but the gnawing feeling that they are being watched won't leave him.
Back in the caravan Gryffen and Ophelia are again accompanied by Zsena who steers her caravan with practised skill and easily holds a light hearted conversation with Ophelia while Gryffen yawns repeatedly.
Vhon - Level 2 Warlock - What shall become of the Drunken Sailor?
Lyreis - Level 6 Elf Fighter - Eberron: Omega
DM - Dzenda: The Cracks - DM - Dzenda: Whispered Tales
Perception - 10 to see if he can narrow down his hunch - i.e. can he determine the direction they're being observed from. With a roll like that he probably has no idea.
"Psst" Kai signals to Gideon to come closer. When he approaches he continues "I'm pretty sure something is watching us from that {DM insert direction} direction. Make your way back slowly to the rest and let them know."
DM - Storm King's Thunder - The Gods Respond
DM - Four bards walk into a bar...
Cracitus Tibicen (Tibi) - Aarokocra - Rogue [Swashbuckler] / Fighter [Battlemaster]