They are also flying a banner: a red cypress on a black field. This is the same heraldry worn by the nature magic-wielders who attacked Varielky and Auger in Kalahata at their penthouse hotel room when Granophyre was away. 

Relaxing into the walk, Auger is taken aback by the news from Py. At first he hears about the men coming and he thinks that perhaps the valley defends itself and the force was coming to deal with the Goblin threat. But the heraldry is confusing, Auger needs to hear it described twice before he realizes what Py is describing. Hurriedly he tells the others. The Red Cypress on the black field... but commoners this time.

"The magical ones who attacked us were quite determined to find you Granophyre and to stop your search. I would prefer we find a different route back to the river and avoid this cohort entirely." Auger looks around to see if they can bend south or north around this band of Red Cypress followers.

Py, can you see a route that would allow us to avoid them?

Snow feels the cobwebs blow from his mind as they stroll through the ever receding fog, the beauty of the landscape revealing itself bit by bit. A slight melancholy feeling overcomes him at the farm house, but as they reach the tributary his mood brightens again. They were close to the river and the Animu Borongo!

As Auger relays the news he gives a wry chuckle. "I await the day when you report good news is walking down the road towards us, Auger".

"Do you know if they have scouts or outriders? We could just wait for them to pass like we did on the way up to the Abziri Dacha?", he offers helpfully.

"Although I have to admit to being a little intrigued as to where they are going. If they mean trouble for Ayyur and Jabu it may be best to know".

Granophyre says in his sagely basso, “I am curious. I was not there for the attack you described, and I am not aware of what the Red Cypress is. A cult? A mystical force? If we can observe at a distance it might be to our benefit to know more about your assailants and my hunters, if that is indeed what they are.”

The landscape, with many short ridges and folds forming narrow pastures in rolling foothills, separated by lines of tall cedars and conifers is such that finding a hiding place for four persons on foot would be very easy to do. Py reports that ‘Yes, I now see perhaps six people on camelback and two on horses rejoining the company from the foothills. One of them is wounded.’

Snow nods to Granophyre, "Let's take cover then and await their arrival. Once Py let's us know they are close, I can use my magic to conceal our presence".

He looks across to Auger, "Are you able to send Py close enough to hear, and I guess understand, their conversation safely? That way we can remain a good distance away".

After Auger responds, he looks around for a good place to conceal themselves and whilst he is waiting performs a magical ritual of sorts, being as quiet as possible. For this he takes out his flute and plays softly for 10 minutes, channeling the magic and expanding his mind and ability to understand languages with it.

"Yes. Py can find a spot in a nearby tree and listen in without exposing itself. We do have to be within 100 feet for Py to share anything with me as it happens. That might feel a little close, especially if I am whispering what Py tells me. So I think we'll let Py tell us what it heard after. Let's go find a good spot."

As Py reports in with the additional information about the riders and one of them being wounded, Auger frowns. What is going on? As they move to an out of sight position he relays what Py told him to the others. After the four of them are situated, Auger sends Py back to the trail to find a spot where he can closely observe and listen, invisible and above them.

Perhaps thirty minutes later, after Py has buzzed aloft then glided softly away to spy on the small armed force, while you four found a place to hide under a short wooden bridge which crosses a narrow creek where you can peek over the culvert’s edge to keep eyes on the merchant's road below, Py returns, not far ahead of riders on camelback who are cantering up the path which will cross the bridge overhead, some 200 yards away.

‘They are farmers and concerned townfolk from Outghal, I think, trying to take back farms from goblins in the Abziri Dacha. The riders engaged a few stragglers — goblins — upon a hillside closer to Outghal. One was wounded but they bandaged her and she insisted carrying on with the rest. The goblins were routed.’

To clarify:

You are hidden in a culvert under a small bridge. 

Two camel riders are approaching, some 200 yards away. They’ll arrive in a few minutes.

The rest of the force is perhaps 500 yards away, downhill and closer to the Sebu River tributary. 

Although there is still time before the force arrives, Auger starts whispering to the others, "If we are spotted then we can tell them that we came and fought off a number of Goblins up at the castle. That would be the truth." Auger looks over at Varielky curiously, would she mind hiding and dissembling?

"I must confess to mixed feelings. It appears the locals rose up in their own defense to deal with the Goblin threat. Something we would credit very much. Without our past experience with people wearing the same heraldry -- and our own mission -- I would be tempted to join them and assist in clearing out the last of the vermin."

Snow considers carefully what Py has reporting back and Auger's own perspective.

"I agree, if these are townsfolk from Oughal then we have common purpose in more ways than one. We both wish to rid the area of goblins, but we also want them on our side if we have any intention of an uprising", he says nodding to Varielky as it was her comment from earlier that reminded him of this aim.

"I am not known to this Red Cypress, perhaps I should meet the folk headed our way out in the open, rather than having them find us hiding? Or we could all risk heading out to meet them in the open? We could also tell them of the farm we passed not long ago to corroborate the fact that we are the enemy of their enemy".

(Sorry for my absence, was feeling a bit spent lately.)

Varielky remains mostly quiet. The mages from back then searched for a Dwarf... she was never convinced it was not Ednyss. Either way, she didn't want to risk it. "Master Strewn should stay if they are truly associated with the mages who attacked our hotel room back then. Then, at least one of us should remain, in case something happens. I don't mind staying here, but it will take time for me to reach you if there's trouble, so be aware of that. Whoever goes there, I think we should ask them to save their strength for when the entire vale uprises together, rather than die out alone. Lastly, try to learn more about the Red Cypress."

“Farmers and fighters from Outghal…,” begins Granophyre, scratching his beard thoughtfully, “they should at the least be warned of the power they face. If, at the wrong moment, they enter the castle as we did, arms at the ready, they will surely perish, or return home with death and destruction only steps behind them.” He pauses for a moment, then continues diplomatically. 

“We discovered little regarding the motivation of the Seneschal by entering his bed chamber with weapons drawn. I fear there was more to the story than we knew… Perhaps if these Shians are able to negotiate with the Jlasi lord, they can survive.”

“I will wait here but I think it sensible for Snow at least to speak with the approaching company.”

“Very well”, Snow says to Strewn and looks to Auger and Varielky. Varielky had already chosen to stay with Strewn, so he directs his next statement primarily to Auger. “Join me if you wish, it may appear more believable a pair of travellers rather than me by myself”.

He moves out from their hiding place and moves away from both the others and the approaching company, and takes out his violin.

Once he is about 50 feet away he starts to play a fairly jaunty tune, looking to draw the focus of those approaching and also appear as non threatening as possible.

Special: currently under the effects of Comprehend Languages

As he plays, Snow uses his magic to enhance his natural charm.

Action: Casts Enhance Ability (Eagle’s Splendor).

Auger nods. "I'll send Py back and forth with updates as we learn things," Auger says to Varielky and Granophyre as he steps out of the culvert and joins Snow in returning to the path.

To Snow, as they walk back to the path, Auger says, "I think you will have the better of things in any discussion. Your appearance is... more welcoming. Are we going to say we drove off a horde of Goblins by ourselves?"

Granophyre nods agreement and waits with Varielky in the culvert. His little golden bird flits up and perches on a bridge rail, keeping one sculpted eye on Snow and Auger as they depart. Auger and Snow, we’ll say you make it, unseen, back to the merchant’s road, around a bend from the company’s current location.

Soon, the camel riders hear Snow’s melody, spot you, and change course to come around somewhat behind you as you face the company, which advances until within a stone’s throw, perhaps 100’. You see a grizzled and scarred older man, fit and muscular, walking front and center beside a younger woman carrying the Red Cypress banner. The older one raises his fist and calls for the company to halt. The younger woman plants the banner on the ground as the older man takes a few steps forward, eying you grimly, while the company spreads into two rows behind him, weapons ready. 

To Varielky’s eye, they are not completely green: they’ve done some drills and respond to commands in an orderly, if not exactly practiced manner. They wait for you to break the silence as the earthy smell of the rich Abziri farmlands drifts on the breeze.

"My intention is to tell the truth", Snow says in reply to Auger. "How much of the truth remains to be seen", he adds with a grin and wink. "Let's see how this unfolds".

He watches the arrival of the company without acknowledging them, carrying on playing for a short time after they have organised themselves into the two rows. After he has let the tension stand between them for 30 seconds, he drops his violin and looks across at the grizzled older man and smiles broadly.

"Auger, it seems we have company", he says louder than he needed to in order to be heard by the company.

He slowly and without threatening at all halves the distance between them. "Greetings fellow travellers, it is good to see there are others abroad in the area in such dangerous times. My name is Snow Das, a travelling minstrel, in equal parts of the Kingdoms and The Tree", he says holding his arms out, his hands still occupied with his violin and bow.

"To whom do I have the pleasure of making the acquaintance? I will admit, to my shame, I am not familiar with your banner. Let us rectify that, shall we? And there is no need for your weapons, we are not here to cause trouble", he says in a friendly and enthusiastic manner.

Persuasion: (5,19) + 8 = 27

Concentration: Enhance Ability (Eagle's Splendor) - Advantage on Charisma checks - approx 1 hour
Special: Comprehend Languages - approx 1 hour

The old man’s expression, behind hard eyes, is opaque at a distance. While Snow speaks, the weapons of the company before him, seemingly of their own accord, droop down inch by inch to hang limp in their hands. Moreover, smiles break the dusty faces of several fighters, who turn to their neighbors, instinctively, to share their sense of camaraderie. But the eyes of the others remain serious, bulging chidingly, and the smiles disappear once more and emotionless faces turn back to Snow. Emotionless, except for one.

“Play longer, Sir,” says a lanky youth, “your melody gives my heart ease.” But the woman next to the lad hisses at him to be silent and he bites his lip. A beat passes before the older man replies.

“Greetings Snow Das, and Auger. I am Zdan Amanar. I fly the banner of the Red Cypress, ancient guardian of the Vale of Deshar. Before the Jenghen Empire, before the Shian Kings and Queens, even before the Families, did the Red Cypress protect the people of the Vale from harm.”

“These are dangerous times indeed, travelers, when royalty and nobility alike care nothing for the common folk. But the Cypress stands forever!,”

“The Cypress stands forever!,” repeat the fighters with him. 

The man who called himself Zdan Amanar now guardedly awaits your response, pulling his spear slowly back into ready position, as if his words embodied a challenge which could lead to blows. 

“Well met Zdan Amanar, it is an honour to make your acquaintance”, Snow says offering the old man the courtesy of a sweeping bow, however keeping his eyes locked on Zdan’s throughout the dip.

“Please, there is no need to be wary. If the Red Cypress champions the common folk, you will find no enemy here”, he says, noticing the fighting stance the old man takes up. “We are certainly no friends of the Empire, nor the poppy lords”, he elaborates.

“That is to say nothing of the foul scourge that is the goblin threat in the region”, he adds, spitting onto the ground.

“As for royalty and nobility, far too often in this day and age they are seen as simple birthright and an excuse to subjugate, rather than the privilege that comes with the burden of service to those under their protection. We find more nobility in the common man and woman who toil the lands of the Vale, than the lords in their castles”, he says bluntly.

“Your force seems formidable, Zdan Amanar. Is there a specific reason for your travels this day? For our part, we would be happy to share news of the road and region hereabouts, if you would meet under a banner of peace”.

He looks into Zdan’s eyes as he speaks, trying to read the impact of his words. It was a risk to speak this way to a stranger, but right now he was keen to make a new friend, not another in an ever growing list of enemies.

Insight: 10 + 4 = 14
Persuasion:  (8, 9) + 8 = 17
Concentration: Enhance Ability (Eagle's Splendor) - Advantage on Charisma checks - approx 1 hour
Special: Comprehend Languages - approx 1 hour

Auger watches the exchange and thinks Snow is handling things quite well until the old man begins lowering his spear as if expecting a fight. Suddenly worried that there is about to be a battle, Auger sends to Py, up and invisible in a tree nearby, well this could get interesting. Without moving, Auger mentally tries to picture fighting this force all at once, imagining the horrible death and magics he would release in the process. The thought is disgusting. These folk are farmers. 

Then Snow continues speaking, in his winning fashion, and Auger nods along, looking down and shaking his head at the talk of nobles and allowing his lips to curl in disgust at mention of the Goblins. The vile things. Almost ready to weigh in himself, Auger hears Snow make his offer and instead of saying anything, he focuses his own attention on the leader, Zdan, to see how he reacts to Snow's words.

Zdan breathes a barely perceptible sigh of relief, lowers his spear, and plants its haft on the ground with a firm motion, then bends forward in a stiff bow in response to Snow’s graceful gesture. The rest of the company relaxes, the flag-bearer and Zdan exchange a look, he nods, and she motions the fighters back. They relax, sitting on their haunches and eating bread wrapped in cheesecloth or drinking from water flasks. Most continue to watch Snow.

“It is a relief to meet like-minded travelers, even who come from across the seas, during these trying times when one’s neighbor might ally themselves with enemies of the vale, without even knowing what they’ve done.”

“Goblins, one a time time, are mere mischief, a gorilla that’s made its way into your pantry. But a force of them. Murderers and evil as can be. They’ve taken the homes of many of our people, and the Abziri family, for long eons the defenders of the northern Vale, have done nothing but sit and watch. We’re taking matters into our own hands. Even though,” and here he casts a glance across the company of commoners under his command, “I fear we’re little match for em if there are too many.”

Zdan grimly turns back to face you. “Where are you coming from and what have you seen along the way, Snow Das? I would know what t’ expect.”