As the group finalized setting up their camp, Mills dressed two hares he'd shot on the way back, and added them to Gor's wild root and vegetable stew. While they discussed things, the stew boiled and simmered. Before heading back to the waterfall Mills ate a hearty bowl of the stuff. By the time he started the short journey back to the stream and falling water, dusk had fully settled onto the land, and nocturnal animals began to make themselves known by flight, scurry, and call. Being a veteran member of the Order of the Wild Rangers, Mills was aware that approaching a stranger's camp at night could be dangerous, but he had dealt with it many times before and survived.
As Mills meandered down the sloping hill to the pool below the waterfall the moonlight of a half-full Durragaim, a completely full Sylgja, and a waning gibous Thgol bathed the land in an eerie blue-orange glow. As soon as Mills moved behind the falling water, he saw the entrance to a cave, and saw the firelight that flickered against the cave's wet walls. Before he ever even got close the entrance, he called out. "Republic Ranger here. I mean you no harm. I stumbled upon your camp and wondered if I might have a word?" For a few tense seconds Mills heard muffled voices in conversation. Then he saw a shadow approach. In a moment the shadow became the same woman he'd seen bathing in the waterfall pool. She was dressed in sheep's wool lined leather and furs, and armed now, a greatsword in hand, with the blade resting in the crook of her left elbow.
"Good morrow Ranger." Her voice was low, for a woman, but no less feminine. "I'm Nyssa Cragmoon. What can I do for you on this fine evening?"
Zanoth decides to follow Mills (& tells him such), so that if needed he can help out with any discussion/interaction, but tells Mills that for this “first contact” Mills with his Ranger skills best do the approach, and then if needed bring others of the Outlanders in.
Mills tries to jutt his chin out as he talks, but he has the unfortunate quality of: next to no definable chin...
"I am searching for persons involved in heinous necromancy and burglary, potentially involved in dragon cults. It is my intent to interview any persons who may be involved in such. As you are strangers to town and so quickly departed, you have raised suspicions. Your cooperation will allow this to be as painless a process as possible."
Nyssa cocks an eyebrow at Mills' straight forward nature, but then her face splits into a wide grin, showing a mouth with two gold teeth. "Heinous necromancy and burglary?" She scoffs. "Dragon cults?" She snickers. "Sounds like the the Ridge has a right mess on their hands." It's then that Nyssa, who actually stands a good few inches taller than Mills, looks him up and down, weighing and measuring him with her eyes. Mills isn't sure exactly why, but when she does, he feels as though he is the one that's been seen naked, and not the other way around. Nyssa makes a move with her greatsword and for just a moment Mills thinks there's going to be a fight, but then he watches as Nyssa rests the sword in a hooked cradle that is strapped around her shoulders with leather straps and silver buckles. She then takes a step forward and puts her left arm around Mills shoulders and nudges him closer to the entrance of the cave, nearer the falling water, and speaks in a conspiratorial tone. "Listen, I understand your suspicions. Were I in your boots, I'd be suspicious of me and these boys." She nods her head backward to indicate those back in the cave. "This lot I've got back here might be following after your same quarry, Ranger. They hired my services as a guide and paid double so as long as I asked as few questions as possible. They aren't dragon cultists, far as I can tell. I think they're part of the Order of Faith, though they won't say it out right. Holy symbols and prayers are a dead giveaway for that."
Nyssa pauses and looks over her shoulder to make sure nobody is sneaking up on them for a listen before she continues. "They are zealously protective of their secrets, though, that I can tell you. Even if they were after whoever it is go your underclothes in a bunch, they'd never tell you. Not until you found 'em bloody handed standing over their corpses."
Mills tries to nod knowingly, but he's very distracted by the very tall woman's touch.
"Hm. Yes. Uh. Y'see... Maybe you could get 'em to tall. TALK. Come clean. With their words."
"Or maybe you could just tell me how they're trackin' these fellers so I can go trackin' instead of jawin'."
(OOC: This: "tall. TALK. Come clean." made me laugh out loud. Thanks for that.)
Nyssa takes a moment leaning her head back just a touch as she looks at Mills. Then says, "You'd be better off asking a blind man what he just saw. It's magic, right, that I know, but magic and me aren't great bedfellows if you get my drift. There's chanting, and hand waving, and sometimes little bits and bobs involved, and they always seem to have a pretty good idea where we're supposed to go, but all I ever get is a general direction. So far they haven't given me a destination, and we've bopped around the Highlands in several different directions depending on the day." She pauses again then, and again looks over her shoulder to make sure none of her employers is coming around the corner of the tunnel. "I'd introduce you and let you hash out the details with them if you want, but so far on this journey they haven't taken kindly to strangers asking about their affairs. I'm game to see what they have to say to you, if you are? If they are indeed Order of Faith, maybe they'll be a little less angry about someone from a brother Order asking questions?"
Mills thinks and nods. "I reckon y'better show me to 'em, then. Thank you kindly, Nyssa Cragmoon."
"Okay," Nyssa says, "it's your funeral." But she winks and smiles when she says it. She then leads Mills back along the wet cave tunnel entrance, around a bent corner turn where the firelight becomes much brighter. As they go, she asks Mills his name, because he wasn't forthcoming with it previously, and she will need to know it to introduce him to her employers. In less than a hundred paces Nyssa and Mills enter a rather spacious and high ceilinged cave where three men sit on hunks of log, that were obviously dragged in just for that purpose, around a fire with a pot hanging over it on an iron tripod. All three men are clearly veteran soldiers or adventurers. Mills can tell just by their armor, weapons, and gear. All three look at Nyssa and Mills as they enter the firelight with much the same look. A look that says, "who in the Dark is this, and why have you brought him here.?!" It is that unspoken question that Nyssa immediately addresses.
"Gentlemen, meet Mills Gorecreek, Order of the Wild Ranger. Mills, meet Nargha, Irgom, and Brivelm." Nargha has uneven black hair and grey eyes, and a flat nose. He wears plate armor and wields a greataxe. Mills' best guess about him is that he's some kind of warrior of the faith, judging by the holy symbol of Saxwyn around his neck, and etched onto the breastplate of his armor. Irgom has blonde hair and blue eyes. He wears leather armor and wields a staff with an arcane focus on the end, which clearly indicates he's a magic user of some kind. Brivelm has red hair and green eyes, and a short moustache. He wears a chain shirt and a trident and shield rest on the log next to him. Brivelm also has a holy symbol around his neck, but his is Amryn's sun. "Mills tells me he's tracking some necromancer burglars off through the wilderness. Seems they had some doings in Hyssop Ridge. He seems to think you might be able to help in that endeavor." Nyssa, having made her introductions, then saunters over to an empty bit of log, picks up a wooden bowl with some steaming stew in it that was sitting on the ground near it, and begins to eat.
"Right. Your swift exit from town after the sudden attack and theft has lead aine of suspicion to you and yours. The presence of dragon cult types discovered in town makes this a much more serious issue. Now if you know something about this business, then you best fess up!"
Irgom and Brivelm look at Mills with completely blank expressions, but Nargha, he laughs. "Ha ha ha ha ha. Boy, you're in way over your head here. You think the lot your chasing are just some thieving dragon god cultists. If you pursue this road you may end up involved in something that is way bigger than you could ever imagine. Trust me when I tell you, whatever it is the people in hick-sup ridge are paying isn't worth it. Take my advice. Pack up and head to the biggest city you can find. One with an army and siege weapons to defend it. Tell that little gang of friends you've got what I said, none of you are prepared to follow this road to its end."
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Restless Lucky starts skipping rocks across the Pond.
Skip check 24
Hey Zanoth wonder what's taking so long. Think Boy Scout and Whiskers are dead yet? Ne a same was just starting to like them. Bet the giant lady has Mills twisted like a pretzel. Ha she could make me a pretzel.. man she was a beauty shame you missed it.
Tossing another rock. Skip check 20
You see that one. Holler if it's go time, I'm going to poke around.
“No idea Lucky, not so sure, these Ranger types like to prod and poke. Thankfully Mills doesn’t look too tasty, and squirrels are no good without squab on the side. They are ok”.
Nargha gives Mills a hard stare with one brow lifted slightly higher than the other. His grey eyes are like little lumps of cold stone glaring at him. "Two things Mills. One, it might actually be worse than I'm saying. Two, many hands do make light work, if those hands are competent and capable. You can take this as offensive or not, but just being part of the Order of the Wild Rangers doesn't mean yours are either of those. We've got hard work ahead." Nargha nods his head at the two fellows sitting athwart the fire from him. "And we need less interference, not more. I'm sure your little band of merry travelers means well. Of that I've no doubt, but meaning well and actually being able to do well have long been separate entities. Just ask the Highlanders about the Nine Years War."
At that last statement Nyssa sputters up some of the stew she was slowly spooning into her mouth. "Careful!" Is all she says, but she gives Nargha an equally hard look as she does it.
"No offense, Nyssa. It's just a touchstone reference for Order soldiers." Nargha retorted by way of trying to excuse his snide comment that demeaned the entire Highland kingdom. "You really want to help those people in hiccup ridge?" Nargha again locked his stone-grey eyes on Mills. "Head straight back there and tell them all to take all the provisions they can carry and head to Haighynmoor."
Mills nods in agreement.
Paladin - warforged - orange
As the group finalized setting up their camp, Mills dressed two hares he'd shot on the way back, and added them to Gor's wild root and vegetable stew. While they discussed things, the stew boiled and simmered. Before heading back to the waterfall Mills ate a hearty bowl of the stuff. By the time he started the short journey back to the stream and falling water, dusk had fully settled onto the land, and nocturnal animals began to make themselves known by flight, scurry, and call. Being a veteran member of the Order of the Wild Rangers, Mills was aware that approaching a stranger's camp at night could be dangerous, but he had dealt with it many times before and survived.
As Mills meandered down the sloping hill to the pool below the waterfall the moonlight of a half-full Durragaim, a completely full Sylgja, and a waning gibous Thgol bathed the land in an eerie blue-orange glow. As soon as Mills moved behind the falling water, he saw the entrance to a cave, and saw the firelight that flickered against the cave's wet walls. Before he ever even got close the entrance, he called out. "Republic Ranger here. I mean you no harm. I stumbled upon your camp and wondered if I might have a word?" For a few tense seconds Mills heard muffled voices in conversation. Then he saw a shadow approach. In a moment the shadow became the same woman he'd seen bathing in the waterfall pool. She was dressed in sheep's wool lined leather and furs, and armed now, a greatsword in hand, with the blade resting in the crook of her left elbow.
"Good morrow Ranger." Her voice was low, for a woman, but no less feminine. "I'm Nyssa Cragmoon. What can I do for you on this fine evening?"
Mills tries to jutt his chin out as he talks, but he has the unfortunate quality of: next to no definable chin...
"I am searching for persons involved in heinous necromancy and burglary, potentially involved in dragon cults. It is my intent to interview any persons who may be involved in such. As you are strangers to town and so quickly departed, you have raised suspicions. Your cooperation will allow this to be as painless a process as possible."
Paladin - warforged - orange
Nyssa cocks an eyebrow at Mills' straight forward nature, but then her face splits into a wide grin, showing a mouth with two gold teeth. "Heinous necromancy and burglary?" She scoffs. "Dragon cults?" She snickers. "Sounds like the the Ridge has a right mess on their hands." It's then that Nyssa, who actually stands a good few inches taller than Mills, looks him up and down, weighing and measuring him with her eyes. Mills isn't sure exactly why, but when she does, he feels as though he is the one that's been seen naked, and not the other way around. Nyssa makes a move with her greatsword and for just a moment Mills thinks there's going to be a fight, but then he watches as Nyssa rests the sword in a hooked cradle that is strapped around her shoulders with leather straps and silver buckles. She then takes a step forward and puts her left arm around Mills shoulders and nudges him closer to the entrance of the cave, nearer the falling water, and speaks in a conspiratorial tone. "Listen, I understand your suspicions. Were I in your boots, I'd be suspicious of me and these boys." She nods her head backward to indicate those back in the cave. "This lot I've got back here might be following after your same quarry, Ranger. They hired my services as a guide and paid double so as long as I asked as few questions as possible. They aren't dragon cultists, far as I can tell. I think they're part of the Order of Faith, though they won't say it out right. Holy symbols and prayers are a dead giveaway for that."
Nyssa pauses and looks over her shoulder to make sure nobody is sneaking up on them for a listen before she continues. "They are zealously protective of their secrets, though, that I can tell you. Even if they were after whoever it is go your underclothes in a bunch, they'd never tell you. Not until you found 'em bloody handed standing over their corpses."
Mills tries to nod knowingly, but he's very distracted by the very tall woman's touch.
"Hm. Yes. Uh. Y'see... Maybe you could get 'em to tall. TALK. Come clean. With their words."
"Or maybe you could just tell me how they're trackin' these fellers so I can go trackin' instead of jawin'."
Paladin - warforged - orange
Gor had followed Mills as a squirrel. He’s perched on a tree near the conversation listening and eating an acorn
(OOC: This: "tall. TALK. Come clean." made me laugh out loud. Thanks for that.)
Nyssa takes a moment leaning her head back just a touch as she looks at Mills. Then says, "You'd be better off asking a blind man what he just saw. It's magic, right, that I know, but magic and me aren't great bedfellows if you get my drift. There's chanting, and hand waving, and sometimes little bits and bobs involved, and they always seem to have a pretty good idea where we're supposed to go, but all I ever get is a general direction. So far they haven't given me a destination, and we've bopped around the Highlands in several different directions depending on the day." She pauses again then, and again looks over her shoulder to make sure none of her employers is coming around the corner of the tunnel. "I'd introduce you and let you hash out the details with them if you want, but so far on this journey they haven't taken kindly to strangers asking about their affairs. I'm game to see what they have to say to you, if you are? If they are indeed Order of Faith, maybe they'll be a little less angry about someone from a brother Order asking questions?"
Mills thinks and nods. "I reckon y'better show me to 'em, then. Thank you kindly, Nyssa Cragmoon."
Paladin - warforged - orange
"Okay," Nyssa says, "it's your funeral." But she winks and smiles when she says it. She then leads Mills back along the wet cave tunnel entrance, around a bent corner turn where the firelight becomes much brighter. As they go, she asks Mills his name, because he wasn't forthcoming with it previously, and she will need to know it to introduce him to her employers. In less than a hundred paces Nyssa and Mills enter a rather spacious and high ceilinged cave where three men sit on hunks of log, that were obviously dragged in just for that purpose, around a fire with a pot hanging over it on an iron tripod. All three men are clearly veteran soldiers or adventurers. Mills can tell just by their armor, weapons, and gear. All three look at Nyssa and Mills as they enter the firelight with much the same look. A look that says, "who in the Dark is this, and why have you brought him here.?!" It is that unspoken question that Nyssa immediately addresses.
"Gentlemen, meet Mills Gorecreek, Order of the Wild Ranger. Mills, meet Nargha, Irgom, and Brivelm." Nargha has uneven black hair and grey eyes, and a flat nose. He wears plate armor and wields a greataxe. Mills' best guess about him is that he's some kind of warrior of the faith, judging by the holy symbol of Saxwyn around his neck, and etched onto the breastplate of his armor. Irgom has blonde hair and blue eyes. He wears leather armor and wields a staff with an arcane focus on the end, which clearly indicates he's a magic user of some kind. Brivelm has red hair and green eyes, and a short moustache. He wears a chain shirt and a trident and shield rest on the log next to him. Brivelm also has a holy symbol around his neck, but his is Amryn's sun. "Mills tells me he's tracking some necromancer burglars off through the wilderness. Seems they had some doings in Hyssop Ridge. He seems to think you might be able to help in that endeavor." Nyssa, having made her introductions, then saunters over to an empty bit of log, picks up a wooden bowl with some steaming stew in it that was sitting on the ground near it, and begins to eat.
All three men stare at Mills expectantly.
Squirrel Gor would follow behind at some distance
"Right. Your swift exit from town after the sudden attack and theft has lead aine of suspicion to you and yours. The presence of dragon cult types discovered in town makes this a much more serious issue. Now if you know something about this business, then you best fess up!"
Paladin - warforged - orange
Irgom and Brivelm look at Mills with completely blank expressions, but Nargha, he laughs. "Ha ha ha ha ha. Boy, you're in way over your head here. You think the lot your chasing are just some thieving dragon god cultists. If you pursue this road you may end up involved in something that is way bigger than you could ever imagine. Trust me when I tell you, whatever it is the people in hick-sup ridge are paying isn't worth it. Take my advice. Pack up and head to the biggest city you can find. One with an army and siege weapons to defend it. Tell that little gang of friends you've got what I said, none of you are prepared to follow this road to its end."
Mills puts his hand on his belt buckle and hitches one foot up on a rock.
"It ain't 'bout some money re-ward. And if it's as bad you claim, then perhaps more hands will make lighter work, if ya get my meanin'."
Paladin - warforged - orange
Restless Lucky starts skipping rocks across the Pond.
Skip check 24
Hey Zanoth wonder what's taking so long. Think Boy Scout and Whiskers are dead yet? Ne a same was just starting to like them. Bet the giant lady has Mills twisted like a pretzel. Ha she could make me a pretzel.. man she was a beauty shame you missed it.
Tossing another rock. Skip check 20
You see that one. Holler if it's go time, I'm going to poke around.
Lucky will search the area for any thing.
Investigation 3
(OOC: nschrock, please give me a persuasion roll for this. Thanks!)
Mills persuasion 6
Paladin - warforged - orange
(OOC: D'oh!)
Nargha gives Mills a hard stare with one brow lifted slightly higher than the other. His grey eyes are like little lumps of cold stone glaring at him. "Two things Mills. One, it might actually be worse than I'm saying. Two, many hands do make light work, if those hands are competent and capable. You can take this as offensive or not, but just being part of the Order of the Wild Rangers doesn't mean yours are either of those. We've got hard work ahead." Nargha nods his head at the two fellows sitting athwart the fire from him. "And we need less interference, not more. I'm sure your little band of merry travelers means well. Of that I've no doubt, but meaning well and actually being able to do well have long been separate entities. Just ask the Highlanders about the Nine Years War."
At that last statement Nyssa sputters up some of the stew she was slowly spooning into her mouth. "Careful!" Is all she says, but she gives Nargha an equally hard look as she does it.
"No offense, Nyssa. It's just a touchstone reference for Order soldiers." Nargha retorted by way of trying to excuse his snide comment that demeaned the entire Highland kingdom. "You really want to help those people in hiccup ridge?" Nargha again locked his stone-grey eyes on Mills. "Head straight back there and tell them all to take all the provisions they can carry and head to Haighynmoor."
Mills is steamed, but instead gives as gracious a smile as he can and turns around and leaves. He heads back to the camp.
Paladin - warforged - orange