YUP!

If only this beast could talk, Avra says, stroking Asterix's head with gentleness that belies her size and demeanor. Turning now to Fin she nods, a signal to get packing and move on. Only a short walk to my home, if walking is all we do. 

And as if on cue, your dm starts checking passive perception stats in the party because something is coming--I just don't know if you're surprised by it.

Stay tuned...

((In the words of Ralph Wiggums: I'm in danger.))

A moment of silence follows Avra's gruffly spoken words, leaving you all with nothing but the sounds of the quickly awakening forest: birds, mostly--the rustle of leaves, the stirring of small creatures, Asterix's snuffling. But then a new sound emerges from the direction of the road, something just the slightest bit louder and perhaps screechier, somehow,  something like:

eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeyeeeeeeee!

You all hear it at the same time, even Asterix, who glances briefly in the direction of the road, her soft furry ears twitching.

Please roll perception checks, everyone!

((Fin Perception: 7))

Fin throws a pack into the wagon then grabs his shield and sword. "What now?! First we get attacked by trees, then half our people go missing, and now weird screeches in the morning."

Perception: 10 (Effulgyn)

The young wizard wheels around, looking for the source of the sound then looking to Fin, who had voiced his thoughts exactly. 

A ssmall creature, Yas says, almost comfortingly.

Yes, a ferret. Though I have never heard one make this sound. Avra agrees, squinting. You all bend your ears as close to where the sound came as you can, remaining otherwise very still. It's not long before you make out two distinctly humanoid voices speaking. They're too far away to make out words but they're coming closer...it doesn't take long for you to pick out their conversation.

A bold, commanding if perhaps petulant sounding voice: Do you ... something, Good....oy? Is there ... - ... maybe someone--...? I ... you HunLee! 

And then a quieter, female sounding voice, a bit annoyed: Boss, you're ... us here--you gotta be ... on this road

Please take a look at this battle map so we can agree on where you would position yourselves upon hearing these voices. Assume squares are 5 feet; Avra and Yas are already in position. 

Effulgyn moves to the cart, takes the reins, and gets into the driver’s seat in case a quick exit is necessary. He is otherwise silent. 

73, I put Effy in the cart, here.  Can you confirm if you have your wand out? Or is it hidden away?

Wand is usually hidden. :) Just holding the reins and keeping a wary eye on the road. 

((Fin will unceremoniously huck everything in the wagon and jump in to not get left behind))

Ha I love it 

OK so Avra and Yas are sort of hidden in wait while Effulgyn and Fin are in the cart and ready to leave as demonstrated here.

The folks on the road seem to have heard you as they have gotten real quiet all of a sudden. But then, before too long, you see a tiny little ferret wearing a tiny collar come around the corner. It shrieks in almost an identical fashion as the last time--only this time, someone responds immediately.

Well well well, the stranger says. I just KNEW we'd bump into someone! And what an interesting little party indeed! 

He looks you over in a transparently evaluative way--like he is not only sizing you up, but calculating how much you would go for on some kind of market.  He is a human, and young--maybe in his early thirties. He looks well to do--his clothing is fine, his teeth very white and straight. He has a face that looks like it has done its share of sneering. Something in the way that his chin is raised, maybe, so that he is always somehow looking down at you. He carries a rapier with a very fine, intricate handle--very shiny. It is cradled in a beautiful leather sheath, tucked just under his cloak. He wears studded leather amour of the same make - black, with very nice adornments. 

Standing with him you see are two companions, total opposites in every way. Just to his side is a gnome woman - if you could call her that, as she looks remarkably young. She has long black hair done up in a top knot, and many earrings lining her left ear. She also wears black leather but hers is way older, and perhaps more utilitarian, with buckles and buttons and pockets instead of embroidery and adornments. She carries a mace but unlike her human pal, it is very much so in her hand and looks like it always is.

Behind them both, looking a little sheepish really, is a half orc. Standing six and a half feet tall, he is wearing studded leather armour that seems maybe one or two sizes too big over a shirt that seems one or too sizes too small. He is carrying a pike, but he's holding it more like a walking stick than a weapon. Two yellow incisors protrude from the bottom of his slack mouth, and anyone paying very close attention might notice a bit of spittle crowding around the insides of his lips where it will sit until it drips down his ill fitting shirt.

(The yellow arrow is the ferret, the orange circle is the human, the purple circle is the gnome, and the brown circle is the half orc)

Fin walks to the front of the wagon, steps a foot up, then leans over to survey the newcomers. "Indeed we are, as can be said about yourselves as well. We were actually just getting along and are a bit pressed for time."

((Any checks possible to ascertain possible intent or threat? Something like reading into their dress, attitude, or personal carriage that might seem like they're no good or just some wandering mercenaries?))

You don't have much time to take in more information from them before the Human man responds, with a bit of a chuckle.

Oh but we only just met, he says, voice dripping with emotion that sounds like deep regret but feels like something else. Turning around to the Half Orc he says Domash, do the thing!

Domash looks like he's been snapped out of some sort of deep reverie as he faces his Human companion. He leans his weapon up against a tree and slowly takes a flute out of his pocket. 

Right, he says, looking sheepish again. He plays a few notes from his flute and with his fingers it's like he's flicking the individual notes in your direction and all around you, scanning as he does so--it's clearly a spell of some sort, but nothing seems to be happening. 

(Fin to answer your question there is nothing more to be seen with any checks here but if you wanted to see what spell Domash the Half Orc is casting with his flute, try arcana)

“Throwin a spell at someone ye just met? That’s more n bad manners. Do ye always just do what e tells ya then??,” Effulgyn shouts to the half-orc. Action: dodge. 

(Arcana: 13))

Fin raises a shield and draws a javelin from his quiver. He raises the projectile over his head and calls in response, "Don't try it, or I'll put this through your chest!"

Fin you have known enough Bards from the Academy to recognize the movements as one way to cast Detect Magic and apparently, nothing is coming up. The vials and the jet seem to be well protected in their respective pouches. 

The human sees you raise your javelin, Fin,  and responds with a smirk--completely ignoring Effulgyn in the process. Ah, so you want to do this the hard way then? he says. How delightfully impetuous! Goodroy be a darling please and attack? 

And with that, roll initiative.