Private
If Balgrim is MIA, what should we do going forward? - Single Choice
Shall we seek a 6th party member? - Single Choice
"Lets suss the situation out. It could be these folks are starved and in desperate need of food- but I'd hate to lose the chance for an eight legged ally if theres an agreeable beast down there... OR if the beast proves to be some monstrosity it is a good chance for us to make some local allies in the area. What say you, Rangers?" Lazlo says, deferring to his companions.
Fleabag Fleabane -Tabaxi Ranger | Lenny Coggins- Halfling Barbarian | Sid Shatterbuckle- Dwarf Fighter/Rogue| Lazlo - Satyr Bard in Training
"I doubt the pursuers will give us trouble; if what Geoffrey's books had on them were true." Hyre summarises what he deems important. "However, if we do encounter them, they're primitive Humanoids, not very smart and not very well equipped. However, they're good with teamwork, so our best chance would be to stay together no matter what. Don't get separated." He looks over the hawk on his shoulder. "Especially you."
Varielky
"I like Lazlo's analysis. I think we should at least follow the tracks for a while and see what we find," Aelar says.
Tandor the White, Human Life Cleric
(Are the tracks off course or do they merge with the path we were following?)
Varielky
((The tracks go off course from their destination. The party is trekking east by southeast, and the tracks veer off to the north, towards the river. It's possible that the fleeing creature might hope to lose its pursuers by heading to the water, or possibly it's just trying to go downhill to get a momentum advantage.))
Grimbuld's survival check: 9
"Given the patterning of the tracks, I wouldn't say it's a creature of any significant intelligence. If it truly wanted to get away from its pursuers, it'd just climb a tree to get away. Woodrunners are smaller than humans, and don't possess any special qualities. Unless they have access to firearms, which is enormously unlikely, the best they have are simple throwing spears that wouldn't be able to reach. I'd say that the creature is running in a panic. The dirt is too kicked up for me to get a clear idea of its identity, however. It could be half a dozen creatures that make a track similar to that which the karnis would hunt, if they're hungry enough."
Grimbuld rubs his chin.
"I have a hunch, though, and if it's right... the quarry the woodrunners are after could be worth quite a sum, to the right buyer. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't at least curious."
DM, professional illustrator and comic artist, suffering from severe spinal stenosis, married, middle aged, and nerdy.
"What's your hunch, Mr. Grimbuld?" Aelar asks.
Tandor the White, Human Life Cleric
”Yeah- if Mister is curious, It must be something special.” Lazlo says. “Do you think the woodrunners are after dinner? Or after this thing for the coin?”
Fleabag Fleabane -Tabaxi Ranger | Lenny Coggins- Halfling Barbarian | Sid Shatterbuckle- Dwarf Fighter/Rogue| Lazlo - Satyr Bard in Training
"I think we should stay on course. No need to put ourselves into more danger, and losing our path wouldn't be very nice either."
Varielky
Grimbuld looks to Hyre, rubbing his chin.
"The choice is ultimately yours to make, but if I'm right, the creature the woodrunners is hunting is known as a vartig. It's not particularly dangerous offensively, but it's difficult to hunt successfully due to its hide. It's so tough that even a direct hit often won't slow them down, and they have a long body with eight legs to move swiftly on. They must be after its meat, because I highly doubt woodrunners would have the skill or tools needed to preserve the hide. Artisans and crafters prize the hide for its durability but also its pleasing texture and natural waterproofing." he explains.
DM, professional illustrator and comic artist, suffering from severe spinal stenosis, married, middle aged, and nerdy.
The two acquaintances sit across from one another in a spacious carriage that feels more like a troop transport. It's extra wide to accommodate barn-style doors that allow the occupants to quickly evacuate and take fighting positions, even though it's not exactly filled to capacity right now. It seems that bold adventurers are a bit harder to find in Rondo at the moment.
DM, professional illustrator and comic artist, suffering from severe spinal stenosis, married, middle aged, and nerdy.
“We may be able to compromise with them- trade meat for hide? And possibly gain an ally in the area.“
Fleabag Fleabane -Tabaxi Ranger | Lenny Coggins- Halfling Barbarian | Sid Shatterbuckle- Dwarf Fighter/Rogue| Lazlo - Satyr Bard in Training
Aelar perks up at the mention of the virtag's leathery skin. "Can it be made into armor? And how does one kill such a thing?" He glances at Hyre. "It seems our risks are low if we follow. The virtag is not likely to harm us unless we attack it first and the wood runners, from your description, don't seem like they'd be a threat. Still, I the possibility of reward seems low, as well. Maybe we should just continue on. Let's vote. I say we move on."
Tandor the White, Human Life Cleric
”I care not- Hyre and Aelar both want to move on.“ Lazlo says, immediately forgetting the prospect . ”Unless Kallista opposes let’s go.” The Satyr couldn’t help but wonder if they were missing an opportunity.
Fleabag Fleabane -Tabaxi Ranger | Lenny Coggins- Halfling Barbarian | Sid Shatterbuckle- Dwarf Fighter/Rogue| Lazlo - Satyr Bard in Training
Kallista looks at the tracks for a few moments, before turning back the way they were going. "Maybe if it was following our path," she says, "and I'd hate to take away the woodrunners food."
Elra Skylash - Human Cleric | Vanzaren Tanidoni - Half Elf Wizard
Mindartis Liadon - Eladrin Barbarian | Naivara Siannodel - Half Elf Ranger
Arrila Evenwood - Half Elf Paladin | Callaphe of Setessa - Human Rogue
Katernin Nemetsk - Aasimar Cleric | Melody - Tiefling Bard
Grimbuld ponders Lazlo's question.
"Frankly, I doubt that the woodrunners would have any interest in the hide at all; they wouldn't be able to process it themselves without the tools and knowledge. They pretty much discard anything that can't be cut with stone tools. If we were to divert, they might just appreciate the help and leave the husk, which would be all we'd need... and think us very strange."
He looks to Aelar next.
"Absolutely it could. Not only would it be quite resistant to bladed weapons, but it would even keep you dry in the worst rain storms. It's difficult material, but skilled leather workers know the tricks to making it behave. I would estimate that a single vartig could yield enough material for a full suit and a half."
DM, professional illustrator and comic artist, suffering from severe spinal stenosis, married, middle aged, and nerdy.
The sentry look up from his trance like state. His expression remained neutral. "I'm Erich." For his expressionlessness, his low voice is quite gentle.
The human looking man with short gray white hair and piercing yellow eyes look down at Berker Fintreun. His tall stature is currently hunched as he sits casually in his seat. His black buttoned up shirt is rolled up to exposed muscular arms. In his hands, a lute rests. At the side, you can see a silver glint of what look like a gun and a sword. Not too rare for a sentry to own.
He didn't seem shocked that you can speak directly into his head, after all, only a few would dare to venture out into the wide dangerous world. Most that do either were confident in their own skills or were forced into it. He turn to look outside.
(Do Erich know how far away they are from the destination?)
Erich is fairly sure that the caravan has another few hours or so to travel before they reach the survey site. They will be arriving around late afternoon. So far, the caravan hasn't hit any major trouble aside from having to clear a couple of fallen branches from the road and scaring off a herd of wild boars. The caravan has several lookouts constantly scanning the horizon for airborne predators and an alarm bell should one be spotted. It hasn't rung all day.
DM, professional illustrator and comic artist, suffering from severe spinal stenosis, married, middle aged, and nerdy.
"We should be arriving around late afternoon, in a few hours if nothing happens." He said as he look outside. He turns back to Fintreun and you can see slight amusement visible in his expression. "I wouldn't suggest you to take a dip at wherever we're going unless you want to become a snack." He twirl the lute in his hands.
“We’d take the hide and the Woodrunner hunters would get the meat. Lets move on though, if we’re not of one mind about it then we should just carry on towards our goal. The satyr wraps his weatherproof cloak around him. “We should travel on and find a safe place to make camp before nightfall.”
Lazlo will keep an eye out for edible plants and mushrooms as they travel. Survival 12. Nope.
Fleabag Fleabane -Tabaxi Ranger | Lenny Coggins- Halfling Barbarian | Sid Shatterbuckle- Dwarf Fighter/Rogue| Lazlo - Satyr Bard in Training