Rictor sighs. "Look, it's a deal with a devil, as far as I know. He plays his card close to the vest, but in return for me not asking too many questions he gives me powers - and helped me find that little girl back in the cave. I want to get to the bottom of what happened here and we ain't finding out standing around until the survivors form a mob and run us out of town."
Ever averse to apologies as usual Rictor just steps up to one of the horses and tries to gently stroke it's long snout. "So, are we taking these fine beasts out of town? I've a mind to look over those scrolls and their journals when we get back home."
Keth looks to Rictor, "These beasts are not ours nor do we want the attention they bring. Let them stay and hope for better futures." He pats the closest horse lightly on the neck and steps away, his tone and demeanor seem off when conversing with Rictor for the moment. He steps back toward the main road to meet up with the group.
Rictor watches Keth go and heaves a great sigh, perhaps realizing that this whole mess was at least partially his fault and that stealing the paladins' horses wasn't going to earn the trust of his companions back. Sullenly kicking clods of dirt and stray rocks all the way he wanders back over to the wagon, eyeing the newcomer warily.
The party climbs into the wagon with little fanfare. The newcomer, a woman of Asian descent says nothing but loads her pack and items into the back of the wagon and climbs in. (DM: waiting on the player to submit and respond).
Cookie says little as he steers the wagon back to the east and with a flick of the reigns encourages the horses to pull the wagon out of Old Bull. Cookie says little but, several members of the party notice he has pulled a golden cross on a chain from out under his clothing. The metal tossed to and fro from the bounce of the wagon.
As the wagon pulls just outside the boundaries of Old Bull, Keth, Rictor, and Bill look back, taking in the destruction of this small village. All three see the preacher standing in the middle of the street, watching the party's wagon leave.
Along the road out of Old Bull, 2 bodies along the side of the road can be seen. One is of the Cavalry Soldier another is that of a young woman.
(DM: Any actions?)
The party travels for the better part of an hour before Cookie says anything. "We best try and make as much distance between Old Bull and us as we can. Rides about to get rough cause we ain't staying on the normal path." With that Cookie pulls on the reigns and the horse turns and pulls the wagon north.
For the better part of the day, the wagon pulls north and at sundown, it pulls back east. As darkness falls across the land Cookie stops the wagon. "We best try and sleep a bit but no fires though. Don't want to send out any message that we are here." Cookie says. Cookie gets down, pulls a couple of blankets down, laying on on the ground by the wagon wheel, and covers himself with the other.
DM: Actions? Also, starting something new so, could I get Keth to roll a d20? I am leaving the random encounter rolls to the players :D
Flynn takes in the dead bodies, but says nothing, nor does he care to investigate. He had seen far too much death for one day. Flynn says nothing for the entire trip, just stares out into the countryside. It is obvious something is bothering him but he refuses to answer any questions. When they stop for the night, he takes the first watch.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
“I will take responsibility for what I have done. [...] If must fall, I will rise each time a better man.” ― Brandon Sanderson, Oathbringer.
Rictor laughs hollowly, a mirthless sound, as Cookie announces that they're not taking the normal path. "You can say that again, Cookie. I've never taken the normal path."
He keeps a close eye on the countryside as they ride along. Paranoia was the new norm for him and after seeing the way Cookie displayed his cross he felt like he would just disturb the others with his presence now that they knew his secret.
Sullenly kicking clods of dirt and stray rocks all the way he wanders back over to the wagon, eyeing the newcomer warily.
"Say, you're not a religious nut are you?"
Upon seeing Rictor's approach, the woman looks down at first, trying not to make eye contact. Dressed in a 'work practical' blue dress and a matching white bonnet with blue trim to hide her long black hair, she seems to be trying to hide behind her some kind of tool. At a closer look it's seems to be a "railroad spike hammer" used to by common workers of her descent, although unbecoming to use for a lady like herself. The white bonnet sheepishly looks up, at the man approaching her, only to gasp in surprise. Dropping the railroad hammer, she pulls out an ornamental hand fan and hides her face behind it.
"Oi! If it isn't the rascal, Meesta Graves. It's been too long since da Big Apple ey? It's Miz An Moon! Now I ain't no nut but I tell ya this whole town is!"
After a quick look to the left and right, the woman folds her fan and coyly reveals to the party elven ears inside her bonnet. And it seems that her black hair has a slight tinge of blue when in direct light. She tries to force herself to make a winsome smile, but she shakily picks up her things and is the first inside the wagon.
"Don't mind me if I do! Take a seat by me over here Meesta Graves! Don't tell me Ol' Meesta Henry hired ya too?"
The party climbs into the wagon with little fanfare. The newcomer, a woman of Asian descent says nothing but loads her pack and items into the back of the wagon and climbs in. (DM: waiting on the player to submit and respond).
The asian looking woman formally introduces herself Sian Amanodel (Moonflower) who ran an Apothecary in New York city, or as the local boys called her, 'Miz An Moon'. For if anyone failed to called her 'Miz' was suddenly thumped by the business end of a broomstick. To Rictor, she hasn't seemed to have aged a day from when they last met.
Without a hint of deception in her voice, Miz An will explain that she's come to Montana country to find her father, who had been working on a nearby railroad, but hasn't been able to find him, save for the hammer she had with her. She holds it closer to herself when she talks about it, not minding the fresh red smears on the business end of it.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
D20 Roll: 11
As they set up the brief camp Keth moves to Rictor. He lays his hand upon the man's shoulder band offers him a bit of ration. While normal looking, he knows Keth likes to liven things up with his rudimentary cooking skills. The half-orc says, " I know you must be feeling a bit alone amongst us but I assure you that our friendship remains intact." He gives a small smile then heads back to his duties.
During the first shift of the watch that night, as dusk settles across the land and the rest of the party settles into sleep, Flynnnotices a dot in the sky on the horizon. As he watches the dot gets larger as it approaches. Flynngauges it to be pretty high in the air and will fly overhead within seconds.
Just then there is a roar that comes from the sky that unsettles everyone in the camp and makes the horses jolt and jumps a bit but they still remain tethered. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29yUiAZEGiY
Flying overhead, and a bit off to the right of the party's cold camp, approximately 1000 ft. in the air, is a Black Dragon. It takes no notice of the party and continues flying northwest.
Rictor smiles for the first time a long while and gratefully accepts the offering of food. "Far as I'm concerned, we're in this together for the long haul, Keth. I ain't turning my back on you folks."
Of course not but a few hours later when they had settled in for the night his commitment was tested by the roar of a great beast overhead. He scrambles out of bed and gapes up at the sky, staring at the unbelievable sight of a massive dragon darker than the night around it flying off. "...Well, at least it wasn't hungry."
Miz An is in hysterics and had taken to hiding by a rock nearby, pressing her back as much as possible against it, clutching her suitcase between two trembling hands.
"How can the two of you be so calm? Is THIS a normal occurrence in the ol' ranch??"
Keth did instinctively crouch down at the roaring of the dragon but he as well quickly recovered. Moving to Mix An he holds out his hand to help her up, "We have yet to reach the ranch ma'am. As for that beast, while rare, they can be seen roaming the countryside for their next meal. The best we can always hope for is for them to pass us by, so why worry that they may not?"
The cowering elf gingerly offers Keth her hand, and when he takes it she grasps it firmly and gives him a warm smile. Offering the kindly half-orc a rough curtsy while covered in dust, she passes off as someone who knows the trappings of a lady but isn't a stranger to physical work.
"Sian Amanodel, if ya weren't already listenin' to me ramblin from the wagon...heh. But y'all can call me Miz An. May I have the pleasure of learning your name, kind gentleman?"
Rictor sighs. "Look, it's a deal with a devil, as far as I know. He plays his card close to the vest, but in return for me not asking too many questions he gives me powers - and helped me find that little girl back in the cave. I want to get to the bottom of what happened here and we ain't finding out standing around until the survivors form a mob and run us out of town."
Ever averse to apologies as usual Rictor just steps up to one of the horses and tries to gently stroke it's long snout. "So, are we taking these fine beasts out of town? I've a mind to look over those scrolls and their journals when we get back home."
DM: just waiting on responses from Keth and Flynn before we continue. Also, thanks to Stronglyworded, we may have 1 or 2 new players.
Keth looks to Rictor, "These beasts are not ours nor do we want the attention they bring. Let them stay and hope for better futures." He pats the closest horse lightly on the neck and steps away, his tone and demeanor seem off when conversing with Rictor for the moment. He steps back toward the main road to meet up with the group.
Bill, Flynn, and Cookie are at the wagon. Keth is making his way towards them.
There seems to be a small Asian woman lingering close by the wagon.
Rictor is left on his own by the horses.
Actions?
DM: the small Asian woman will be one of our new players joining us and there will be another joining the party in a bit as well.
Rictor watches Keth go and heaves a great sigh, perhaps realizing that this whole mess was at least partially his fault and that stealing the paladins' horses wasn't going to earn the trust of his companions back. Sullenly kicking clods of dirt and stray rocks all the way he wanders back over to the wagon, eyeing the newcomer warily.
"Say, you're not a religious nut are you?"
The party climbs into the wagon with little fanfare. The newcomer, a woman of Asian descent says nothing but loads her pack and items into the back of the wagon and climbs in. (DM: waiting on the player to submit and respond).
Cookie says little as he steers the wagon back to the east and with a flick of the reigns encourages the horses to pull the wagon out of Old Bull. Cookie says little but, several members of the party notice he has pulled a golden cross on a chain from out under his clothing. The metal tossed to and fro from the bounce of the wagon.
As the wagon pulls just outside the boundaries of Old Bull, Keth, Rictor, and Bill look back, taking in the destruction of this small village. All three see the preacher standing in the middle of the street, watching the party's wagon leave.
Along the road out of Old Bull, 2 bodies along the side of the road can be seen. One is of the Cavalry Soldier another is that of a young woman.
(DM: Any actions?)
The party travels for the better part of an hour before Cookie says anything. "We best try and make as much distance between Old Bull and us as we can. Rides about to get rough cause we ain't staying on the normal path." With that Cookie pulls on the reigns and the horse turns and pulls the wagon north.
For the better part of the day, the wagon pulls north and at sundown, it pulls back east. As darkness falls across the land Cookie stops the wagon. "We best try and sleep a bit but no fires though. Don't want to send out any message that we are here." Cookie says. Cookie gets down, pulls a couple of blankets down, laying on on the ground by the wagon wheel, and covers himself with the other.
DM: Actions?
Also, starting something new so, could I get Keth to roll a d20? I am leaving the random encounter rolls to the players :D
Flynn takes in the dead bodies, but says nothing, nor does he care to investigate. He had seen far too much death for one day. Flynn says nothing for the entire trip, just stares out into the countryside. It is obvious something is bothering him but he refuses to answer any questions. When they stop for the night, he takes the first watch.
“I will take responsibility for what I have done. [...] If must fall, I will rise each time a better man.” ― Brandon Sanderson, Oathbringer.
Rictor laughs hollowly, a mirthless sound, as Cookie announces that they're not taking the normal path. "You can say that again, Cookie. I've never taken the normal path."
He keeps a close eye on the countryside as they ride along. Paranoia was the new norm for him and after seeing the way Cookie displayed his cross he felt like he would just disturb the others with his presence now that they knew his secret.
Perception: 9
Upon seeing Rictor's approach, the woman looks down at first, trying not to make eye contact. Dressed in a 'work practical' blue dress and a matching white bonnet with blue trim to hide her long black hair, she seems to be trying to hide behind her some kind of tool. At a closer look it's seems to be a "railroad spike hammer" used to by common workers of her descent, although unbecoming to use for a lady like herself. The white bonnet sheepishly looks up, at the man approaching her, only to gasp in surprise. Dropping the railroad hammer, she pulls out an ornamental hand fan and hides her face behind it.
"Oi! If it isn't the rascal, Meesta Graves. It's been too long since da Big Apple ey? It's Miz An Moon! Now I ain't no nut but I tell ya this whole town is!"
After a quick look to the left and right, the woman folds her fan and coyly reveals to the party elven ears inside her bonnet. And it seems that her black hair has a slight tinge of blue when in direct light. She tries to force herself to make a winsome smile, but she shakily picks up her things and is the first inside the wagon.
"Don't mind me if I do! Take a seat by me over here Meesta Graves! Don't tell me Ol' Meesta Henry hired ya too?"
The asian looking woman formally introduces herself Sian Amanodel (Moonflower) who ran an Apothecary in New York city, or as the local boys called her, 'Miz An Moon'. For if anyone failed to called her 'Miz' was suddenly thumped by the business end of a broomstick. To Rictor, she hasn't seemed to have aged a day from when they last met.
Without a hint of deception in her voice, Miz An will explain that she's come to Montana country to find her father, who had been working on a nearby railroad, but hasn't been able to find him, save for the hammer she had with her. She holds it closer to herself when she talks about it, not minding the fresh red smears on the business end of it.
D20 Roll: 11
As they set up the brief camp Keth moves to Rictor. He lays his hand upon the man's shoulder band offers him a bit of ration. While normal looking, he knows Keth likes to liven things up with his rudimentary cooking skills. The half-orc says, " I know you must be feeling a bit alone amongst us but I assure you that our friendship remains intact." He gives a small smile then heads back to his duties.
(Random Encounter)
During the first shift of the watch that night, as dusk settles across the land and the rest of the party settles into sleep, Flynn notices a dot in the sky on the horizon. As he watches the dot gets larger as it approaches.
Flynn gauges it to be pretty high in the air and will fly overhead within seconds.
Just then there is a roar that comes from the sky that unsettles everyone in the camp and makes the horses jolt and jumps a bit but they still remain tethered.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29yUiAZEGiY
Flying overhead, and a bit off to the right of the party's cold camp, approximately 1000 ft. in the air, is a Black Dragon. It takes no notice of the party and continues flying northwest.
Rictor smiles for the first time a long while and gratefully accepts the offering of food. "Far as I'm concerned, we're in this together for the long haul, Keth. I ain't turning my back on you folks."
Of course not but a few hours later when they had settled in for the night his commitment was tested by the roar of a great beast overhead. He scrambles out of bed and gapes up at the sky, staring at the unbelievable sight of a massive dragon darker than the night around it flying off. "...Well, at least it wasn't hungry."
Flynn nods in agreement "We were lucky. Lets just hope it doesn't come back for us as a midnight snack."
“I will take responsibility for what I have done. [...] If must fall, I will rise each time a better man.” ― Brandon Sanderson, Oathbringer.
Miz An is in hysterics and had taken to hiding by a rock nearby, pressing her back as much as possible against it, clutching her suitcase between two trembling hands.
"How can the two of you be so calm? Is THIS a normal occurrence in the ol' ranch??"
Keth did instinctively crouch down at the roaring of the dragon but he as well quickly recovered. Moving to Mix An he holds out his hand to help her up, "We have yet to reach the ranch ma'am. As for that beast, while rare, they can be seen roaming the countryside for their next meal. The best we can always hope for is for them to pass us by, so why worry that they may not?"
The cowering elf gingerly offers Keth her hand, and when he takes it she grasps it firmly and gives him a warm smile. Offering the kindly half-orc a rough curtsy while covered in dust, she passes off as someone who knows the trappings of a lady but isn't a stranger to physical work.
"Sian Amanodel, if ya weren't already listenin' to me ramblin from the wagon...heh. But y'all can call me Miz An. May I have the pleasure of learning your name, kind gentleman?"
DM: That reminds me. Flynn, Bill, Rictor, and Keth add 1 level to your characters, bringing you up to 5th.
DM: will wait another day for a response before continuing.
(Great! And I was waiting for Keth, but I can continue if that is better)
“I will take responsibility for what I have done. [...] If must fall, I will rise each time a better man.” ― Brandon Sanderson, Oathbringer.
(What did you want to continue? And happy new year everyone!)