As you get closer, you see that two of the men carry classic Tethyrian features: medium build with dusky skin, with light brown hair, the third is more stocky with dark hair, probably Damaran, and the woman likely Chondathan, tall and slender with bronze skin and black hair pulled up into long braids. They're all wearing splint mail armor, and all four carry themselves in such a way that you would guess that they're probably quite adept with their weapons. You can see that the cart contains a number of wooden crates. 

They all meet your gaze with matching smiles and two of them wave as you prepare to pass. 

"Good day, folk! Tis a fine day to be out on the open road," one of the men says, cheerfully.

Belkas sends Crowley to invisibly eavesdrop on the strangers, looks around for a place to take cover if a fight breaks out, and shakes out his wrists to prepare for spellcasting.

He smiles, waves, and softly says to his companions, "They might just be friendly travelers. But I tend to expect the worst and then can get pleasantly surprised."

"Aye, 'Tis a good day ta' travel. Here's wishin' tha' roads stay safe fer all." Zyllith replies back to the other group, maintaining her friendly demeanor.

"And if they ain't, then we'll make 'em so!" the man replies with a hearty smile, in an apparent flair of camaraderie. This brings smiles and nods from his companions, and they all nod friendly greetings to you as they pass and continue south along The High Road.

'Please stay with them a little ways Crowley, and let me know what they are talking about and if they have any plans to double back and ambush us.'

Belkas looks around and says, "See? I am pleasantly surprised." 

Vernon snaps out of a long internal monologue on exactly where cheese fits into Mielikki's priority structure, trying to work around that gut feeling that Flandal Steelskin values it more. "Surprise? What surprise?" He looks backwards and sees the cart moving away. "That would have been awkward if they'd been Knights of Myth Drannor...," he says with a sheepish grin, glancing up at his banner.

As the cart passes and continues heading south, the invisible Mr. Crowley follows them for a short while, listing to their conversations. Eventually, the imp returns and informs you that they said nothing about ambushing you.

Most of their talk, which wasn't much, was centered around their travel to Daggerford. Apparently, one of the men hates camping and much preferred tavern beds to hard ground. That brought a lighthearted argument, as two of them very much enjoyed the open road and sleeping under the Tears of Selune, as long as there weren't too many bugs. The fourth was indifferent. Inside, outside... doesn't matter, as long as she got paid.

The one thing they could all agree on was that they were looking forward to a few rounds of ale at the River Shining Tavern when the were done with this leg.

Seeing the party of strangers pass by without incident Osmord retreats into his shell and calls Worm back to sit atop. He spends some time reading before using Prestidigitation to work on his "death smell."

Leaving them behind, you continue on The High Road through the heat of the day, occasionally passing other merchant carts and solo travelers who greet you with simple nods and waves. Late in the day, you begin to see more traffic, as well as an increasing number of small merchant tent camps as you approach Waterdeep, which is just a few miles off in the distance. 

At one point, you pass a young pale skinned elf male dressed in black, who waves and jogs up towards you from the side of the road.

"Greetings, travelers!!! Adventurers, by the looks of you! Do I guess right Are you swingers of swords, masters of magic and bringers of death to monsters and other dastardly folk who stand in your way and threaten the good way of life for the rest of us"

Arisa says “I suppose we do what we can to make things safer for good people.   Why do you ask?”  

As the elf gets closer, you can see that his skin is fair, almost pale, and his hair jet black, a little ragged and long. 

"Because I find myself to be fascinated by death. I am an artist... a poet, and the morose and romantic nature of death is my muse. By witnessing death with my own eyes and ears, I feel that I can draw the highest level of inspiration for my poems. And you are adventurers... death bringers. Perhaps I could learn from you."

"Elion is my name... Elion Menel! And who might you brave travelers be?"

"I am Vernon Garrick, Knight of Myth Drannor, Protector of the Light, Bearer of the Cheese Nobody Has Identified Yet." His face becomes slightly quizzical. "You don't seem the type to know exotic cheeses?"

Belkas bows slightly and says, "I am Xaltotun the Unfathomable, originally from Baldur's Gate. I would caution you about getting too fascinated with death. She may take notice and come to visit."

Belkas, distrustful of strangers, will try to read if the elven youth is telling the truth or has other motives.

-----

Perception check 8 

"A knight...? A real knight!?" the young elf responds to Vernon. "Then you are no doubt a bringer of death to those to threaten the light. And no... I am sorry, I don't know much about cheese... although we often had cheese at the... in our home. I think I remember eating some Araballan Cheddar one time, and I particularly liked Mist Cheese... I think that came from Loudwater."

Belkas

"You sounds like someone who has seen and dealt it firsthand. Have you received a visit from her yourself?"

"You sounds like someone who has seen and dealt it firsthand. Have you received a visit from her yourself?"

Belkas sees a flash of torn-apart bodies and smells the stench of blood mixed with offal and urine. He turns without saying a word and walks onward down the road. 

Arisa says”My name is Arisa.  We don’t take pleasure in killing,  but we do what needs to be done to help the cause of good.   We don’t revel in death. “  she seems a little disturbed by his morbid fascination.  “We just saw the effects of a brutal attack by Giants.  Much meaningless death and slaughter there”

"Sorry mate, seems as like we'd nae be interested in yer stock this day." Zyllith clasps the elf's shoulder as she flashed a wide smile his way before letting go and continuing the walk down the road, "Name's Zyllith. An' I'll tell ye', dealin' death's easy as dealin' cards, but playin' whot hand yer dealt by fate is always more fun in tha' end."

"Oh not to worry, my friend... I am not trying to offer you anything in particular, you read me wrong. And I agree, no one should take pleasure in killing, I certainly do not, but death is a necessary fate that all of us must face in this world, from both ends, and the seriousness of it is something that all should heed. That's where I come in. I merely seek to put the experience to prose for the benefit of others"

"If I want anything, it would be to accompany you brave and capable adventurers, so that I my witness the realities of death firsthand. I believe that this would inspire to me to produce my best verses. And, of course, you would be the subject of my poems, which would, of course, bring you added fame and glory."

Arisa says “I don’t mind having company on the road,  and right now we’re not heading for any imminent danger, but if it’s ok with my companions, you may travel along with us for a bit.”  

Osmord stands listening to the strange fellow and can not help but admire his passion for his own pet subject and indeed the foundation of his newfound faith. Worm caws loudly as he turns to study the fellow. 

"Death is a wonder, a gateway to the unknown. Your cause is noble." he glances toward the others and shrugs, "Alas my good friend, the choice is not mine alone. You must convince them."

He gestures toward the rest of the party. "Forgive my boldness... he is a fellow student of the final breath."

and with that he pats the fellow on the shoulder and moves to join the others.