The Forgotten Wish

Things continue peacefully, although Richard doesn't let the other travellers pass them by just like that- Briefly calling out that there might be fishy business up ahead, to which they seem mostly as perpexed as the group had originally been, but thank the man for the warning nonetheless. Breldo and Nuria continue their scouting for a while longer, the halfling even making friends with some unlikely critters, which seem almost strangely animated considering the intellect such should have. But now, the edge of the forest is coming into view, meaning no threat has presented itself after all - Much to the audible relief of the merchant who had decided to stick close.

As the forest slowly opens up back into more hilly plains, their surroundings open up into fields of long grass stretching out around them, occasionally broken up by rocky patches where vegetation is more sparse. It's evident that a good portion of these taller weeds closest to the roads have been cut down before, although it seems to have been a while since last time. Hills and curves in the path ahead keep their first stopping point out of sight, for now.

"Well, I'm glad we can all breathe a sigh of relief now that we're out of there, hm?  A touch lacking in dramatic flair, but I'll gladly take that safety over alternatives...  Unless a horde of bandits is about to crest a hill upon the horizon, as our heroic travelers let down their guards."

"Rick thinks that'd be bad tactics. Rick will also take some catnip tea. Ponyman want anything?"

(I'm not going to contest that insight check. Nuria's just is not comfortable being in a leadership position. She does not feel like she's qualified to be doing this job, and calling her boss is like upping the pressure.)

The girl visibly relaxes as the group comes to the end of the forest. Seems there was nothing to worry about after all. Scurrying back to meet Breldo, she reports that nothing is amiss, "Should we keep scouting ahead?" She asks while fidgeting with her hair. Once out of the woods, it will be easier to see danger approaching, though that is not the her foremost thought. Rather, if she continues to scout ahead, that means that she will have to spend less time near the strange cat man, and the rude noble. The centaur man seemed friendly enough, but she's still not sure what to think of the cat man. He doesn't seem mean, but he also left Breldo, Oren, and herself of all people to try to contain those crazed sailors while he ran off to who knows where. ...on top of that he smells weird. All in all, she just doesn't feel like talking or being talked to, but then again she never does. It's so easy to make a fool out of yourself when you actually have to try to hold a conversation. She glances back at the wagons, then back at Breldo, waiting for an answer. 

"That's good sense, lass. Best be aware of anything coming up."

"I'm fine without any tea."

"Rick would get ponyman some oats? Does Merchant have any oats?"

Khond takes a breath to speak, then pauses for a moment, "I wouldn't say no to some oats, I suppose.  I'm going to need to stock up on food."

"Merchantman heard ponyman! Oats! Rick thinks a big bag."

He gives Khond an appraising look,

"Maybe two!"

Nuria and Breldo continue scouting ahead for the time being, but as time passes it becomes more and more obvious it is likely overly cautionary, largely because of the amount of other travelers that are beginning to fill the road, many opposing travelers coming from the opposite direction, slowly reaching the point that even in the midst of bends, they're quite consistently noticing at least one other traveler on the road with them.

"That's what we get for leaving early," Richard casually remarks at some point during the travel, mostly on the fact that the first traveler behind them seems a ways off still. "People leave for Passley a bit later in the day usually. Not much to do if you're just looking to pass through.

Richard for his part softly shakes his head when asked for oats, apparently something too "dominated" by other merchants for him to carry... And also, well,

"Oats mainly come from inland back to port. But I'll gladly help you find someone that'll sell you some in Passley, of course!"

(Assuming no special actions taken, can someone roll me a d100?)

Breldo will draw Nuria back a bit closer to the cart, and rather than scouting from the fringes, just walk ahead of the others. 

"Least this way we don't have to either listen to noble prattling, or suffer under silent judgment. A fine day for a bit of a walk."

39

"Rick wonders if Merchantman has oats for his horses he could part with?"

The young girl reluctantly falls back closer to the wagon, shooting uncertain glances towards the other three party members. Then she nods to the halfling, "Y-yes. A fine day." After saying this she ducks her head slightly, causing her dark hair to fall forward nearly obscuring her eyes. She appears to shrink into herself as more and more travelers pass them by. Traveling in the open like this makes her extremely uncomfortable.

Sylvera continues ignoring the conversation about catnip and oats, staring daggers at whatever travelers on the road happen to slow them down at all as they pass by. Clearly she just wants to get to their destination as quickly as possible, and doesn't have time for anyone else. 

Breldo positions himself between the oncoming travelers and Nuria, and will continue filling the air with anecdotes of his years as a soldier.

The young girl seems to relax a bit when Breldo starts talking. Her eyes even seem to light up a bit when listening to his heroic stories. Maybe she could be like that someday! ...probably not..she's much to weak and isn't brave at all...but wouldn't it be wonderful?

The merchantman once again has to refute Slick, seeming intent on simply having the horse pulling their cart graze later, or have the stable take care of it, his ploy to feed oats to Khond denied once again for the time being. The unlikely group of adventurers continuing their travels, although it does appear that cliques of sorts are already forming. Nuria and Breldo content taking the lead and ignoring the constant stare of Sylvera behind them, Slick and Khond "bonding" in their own way, and Pallen for his part... Seeming to not mind he can sink back for a moment, and get lost in his thoughts, the threat of bandits now but a memory.

The road ahead continues to curve and sway, neatly avoiding the hills and rocks that would otherwise have made travel difficult, a well-trodden path making their journey easy. For the longest while their journey remains surrounded by the long grass, occasionally interspersed with flowering parts, the occasional smaller lake visible on the lower elevation to their right. But wilderness would slowly again begin to give way to civilization. As land becomes a bit more agreeable, fields of grass turn into fields of grain and animals both, a large farmstead only just up ahead. It seems that the farmer is in the midst of ofloading some goods into a cart of someone passing by, even. And in the distance, the first major leg in their journey could now be seen as well, thin trails of smoke and activity rising above the city in the distance, which for the time being remains but a small dot on the horizon.

(Everyone give me perception rolls too)

3

((Good ol' Khond, utterly blind despite the positive modifier.))