“Someone must come this way regularly,” Dev suggests, “or at least, came this way more than once and left these markers, like, more than once. Some rags are newer than others.
”Maybe this is a really good hunting path?,” the teen suggests.
(OOC: Is there other evidence to support this theory? (Survival: 16))
Normont listens to the others, nodding along to their theories.
"All things are possible. Perhaps the weave of the cloth will at least tell us something about how civilised the ones responsible are", he says as he takes a closer look at a couple of the rags. Choosing ones of different apparent condition.
“Someone must come this way regularly,” Dev suggests, “or at least, came this way more than once and left these markers, like, more than once. Some rags are newer than others.
”Maybe this is a really good hunting path?,” the teen suggests.
(OOC: Is there other evidence to support this theory? (Survival: 16))
Dev looked around carefully...he'd never actually been hunting but he understood the theory...well, most of it...the more he looked at the arrangement and others that could be seen through the trees the more he thought it looked like a boundary......
Normont listens to the others, nodding along to their theories.
"All things are possible. Perhaps the weave of the cloth will at least tell us something about how civilised the ones responsible are", he says as he takes a closer look at a couple of the rags. Choosing ones of different apparent condition.
The fabric appears to be a linen of flax with a great deal of space between the fibres....with this knowledge and the striking colours along with the location Normont postulates that they are about to enter Scarlet Badger territory....a somewhat loose alliance of various tribal associations that are known to range along the River Run.
"You know what, I think we are entering Scarlet Badger territory", Normont postulates. "The Scarlet Badgers are a loose alliance of various tribal associations that are known to range along the River Run", he says as if remembering the words from some report.
(OOC: Does Normont know if the Scarlet Badgers are aggressive? I assume they actively patrol their border and keep strangers out if they have set up markers)
"Well hopefully whoever placed these "signs" are friendly and if not, hopefully we are not already trespassing into their territory. Only thing we can do is keep on our toes and be ever watchful for anything amiss." Magnus suggest to the group.
( They're not Ravager level aggresive and they do some trading that he recalls but as the majority are bugbears there are somewhat frequent ' cultural misunderstandings' that have led to violent incidents in the past. He would expect patrols at some point but he has no first hand knowledge of them.)
"Being watchful is a good idea, Magnus. Do any of you happen to speak goblin? I seem to remember that most Scarlet Badgers are Bugbears", Normont says as he strokes his chin.
He then asks Amber to head up and keep an eye out for patrols.
"I don't speak goblin either," Lokilia says. "But I'm sure we can reason with whoever we run into. It is their land after all, but if we're considerate and show them we're no threat to them we'll be fine!"
Normont smiles at Dev, "You've never seen a bugbear? Not even a picture? They are goblin-kin, very large and furry with long arms. They used to have a bit of a reputation for being nasty, but in truth they are just like the other races of Tal'Dorei. Some are good and some not so much".
He looks to Lokilia, "And Lokilia is right, treat others as you would like to be treated yourself. If we respect them, hopefully they will respect us too".
"Hopefully they have at least some amongst them who speak common. I would be surprised if not".
He walks on cautiously, looking up to see if he can see Amber overhead from time to time.
Amber reports there are a large number of pillars of smoke towards the river in the direction they are travelling but the sun is sinking fast behind the mountains and your not going to get there before dark....
"Well we won't make their camp by nightfall, might as well rest on the side of the road here. I have a sneaking suspicion they already know we are here and are watching us. If we make camp out in the open they can further watch us and see that we mean no harm." Magnus says turning his head to address anyone listening in the trees. "We are just travelers making our way to the river to travel on from there and mean no one harm in the area."
Then Magnus will look at the others shurg, smile and say, "Couldn't hurt, we shall see what happens. Shall we make camp here on the side of the road."
Having reported back to the group Amber's report, Normont can't help but agree with Magnus.
"Perhaps you are right. So a decent sized fire to show we are not trying to conceal ourselves. Perhaps the smell of food might attract them on friendly terms", he suggests.
"A roaring fire," Lokilia says with a smile. "Sounds wonderful. Though we should take care it does not get out of hand. And some food as well? We'll have dinner guests in no time!" She helps the group to find a good spot to settle in for the night, and then helps get a fire started. "We best keep an eye out though for those guest."
(Survival Check if needed for finding a camp spot: 17)
The companions settle in for the night and build a large fire to make no attempt to hide their presence, many small woodland animals can be seen on the edge of the firelight during watches....to those with keener eyes or the ability to see in the dark some of them seem....wrong....in minor ways but still seem to be behaving as normal members of their various species.
Halfway through Normont and Devs watch Amber suddenly goes into alarm though nothing eventuates and the report to Normont is somewhat confused and garbled as to what exactly was ' big, hairy and hunting' out in the dark.
In the small hours of the morning a horn sounded a short distance off, waking those who were still asleep and putting Quinn and Lokalia on alert as they sat watch a few minutes later a number of figures approached dressed in red dyed leathers and carrying long polished spears emerged from the woods.
The one in the lead was a tall heavily furred goblinoid with broad features and long tufted ears, her light brown fur was dyed red about her head and shoulders. The two behind her were similar looking but male with darker fur; two others who stood further back were more human looking though with features betraying some goblinoid ancestry, they carried short bows and held an arrow ready to knock.
Dev awakens, a deep diagonal indentation showing where his face pressed against a seam in his pack while he slept. His hair is matted on one side and poofs out on the other. Surprised by the appearance of the furry figures, he stands woozily. Almost before conscious thoughts enter his sleep-fogged mind, the teenager hears the sound of his voice and realizes he is talking.
”Hi there. Good morning. We decided to make a big fire so we wouldn’t alarm anyone cuz we didn’t want to look like we were sneaking cuz we aren’t. We know these are probably your lands cuz we saw the markers but we need to make our way to the river if that’s ok. I can, um, entertain you with a song or a scene in exchange for your permission. But I just need a cup of coffee first. Do you want some?”
Dev rubs his eyes, blinking and suddenly stops speaking, his thoughts turning on himself anxiously. ‘What… was I thinking??’
(OOC: are the rags and their makeshift posts old and weathered or bright and new?)
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
( A mix. Some are definitely old and weathered, others are pretty new.)
“Someone must come this way regularly,” Dev suggests, “or at least, came this way more than once and left these markers, like, more than once. Some rags are newer than others.
”Maybe this is a really good hunting path?,” the teen suggests.
(OOC: Is there other evidence to support this theory? (Survival: 16))
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Normont listens to the others, nodding along to their theories.
"All things are possible. Perhaps the weave of the cloth will at least tell us something about how civilised the ones responsible are", he says as he takes a closer look at a couple of the rags. Choosing ones of different apparent condition.
Investigation (with guidance): 16+5+4=25
Dev looked around carefully...he'd never actually been hunting but he understood the theory...well, most of it...the more he looked at the arrangement and others that could be seen through the trees the more he thought it looked like a boundary......
The fabric appears to be a linen of flax with a great deal of space between the fibres....with this knowledge and the striking colours along with the location Normont postulates that they are about to enter Scarlet Badger territory....a somewhat loose alliance of various tribal associations that are known to range along the River Run.
"You know what, I think we are entering Scarlet Badger territory", Normont postulates. "The Scarlet Badgers are a loose alliance of various tribal associations that are known to range along the River Run", he says as if remembering the words from some report.
(OOC: Does Normont know if the Scarlet Badgers are aggressive? I assume they actively patrol their border and keep strangers out if they have set up markers)
"Well hopefully whoever placed these "signs" are friendly and if not, hopefully we are not already trespassing into their territory. Only thing we can do is keep on our toes and be ever watchful for anything amiss." Magnus suggest to the group.
( They're not Ravager level aggresive and they do some trading that he recalls but as the majority are bugbears there are somewhat frequent ' cultural misunderstandings' that have led to violent incidents in the past. He would expect patrols at some point but he has no first hand knowledge of them.)
(OOC: Thanks DM)
"Being watchful is a good idea, Magnus. Do any of you happen to speak goblin? I seem to remember that most Scarlet Badgers are Bugbears", Normont says as he strokes his chin.
He then asks Amber to head up and keep an eye out for patrols.
Dev hears this news at first cheerfully, surprised that he was on the right track. Then, he pales to an ashen pink.
“Bug Bears…?”
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
“Sadly I do not speak many languages, so I will not be much help here.”
"I don't speak goblin either," Lokilia says. "But I'm sure we can reason with whoever we run into. It is their land after all, but if we're considerate and show them we're no threat to them we'll be fine!"
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer
Normont smiles at Dev, "You've never seen a bugbear? Not even a picture? They are goblin-kin, very large and furry with long arms. They used to have a bit of a reputation for being nasty, but in truth they are just like the other races of Tal'Dorei. Some are good and some not so much".
He looks to Lokilia, "And Lokilia is right, treat others as you would like to be treated yourself. If we respect them, hopefully they will respect us too".
"Hopefully they have at least some amongst them who speak common. I would be surprised if not".
He walks on cautiously, looking up to see if he can see Amber overhead from time to time.
Amber reports there are a large number of pillars of smoke towards the river in the direction they are travelling but the sun is sinking fast behind the mountains and your not going to get there before dark....
"Well we won't make their camp by nightfall, might as well rest on the side of the road here. I have a sneaking suspicion they already know we are here and are watching us. If we make camp out in the open they can further watch us and see that we mean no harm." Magnus says turning his head to address anyone listening in the trees. "We are just travelers making our way to the river to travel on from there and mean no one harm in the area."
Then Magnus will look at the others shurg, smile and say, "Couldn't hurt, we shall see what happens. Shall we make camp here on the side of the road."
Having reported back to the group Amber's report, Normont can't help but agree with Magnus.
"Perhaps you are right. So a decent sized fire to show we are not trying to conceal ourselves. Perhaps the smell of food might attract them on friendly terms", he suggests.
"A roaring fire," Lokilia says with a smile. "Sounds wonderful. Though we should take care it does not get out of hand. And some food as well? We'll have dinner guests in no time!" She helps the group to find a good spot to settle in for the night, and then helps get a fire started. "We best keep an eye out though for those guest."
(Survival Check if needed for finding a camp spot: 17)
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer
The companions settle in for the night and build a large fire to make no attempt to hide their presence, many small woodland animals can be seen on the edge of the firelight during watches....to those with keener eyes or the ability to see in the dark some of them seem....wrong....in minor ways but still seem to be behaving as normal members of their various species.
Halfway through Normont and Devs watch Amber suddenly goes into alarm though nothing eventuates and the report to Normont is somewhat confused and garbled as to what exactly was ' big, hairy and hunting' out in the dark.
In the small hours of the morning a horn sounded a short distance off, waking those who were still asleep and putting Quinn and Lokalia on alert as they sat watch a few minutes later a number of figures approached dressed in red dyed leathers and carrying long polished spears emerged from the woods.
The one in the lead was a tall heavily furred goblinoid with broad features and long tufted ears, her light brown fur was dyed red about her head and shoulders. The two behind her were similar looking but male with darker fur; two others who stood further back were more human looking though with features betraying some goblinoid ancestry, they carried short bows and held an arrow ready to knock.
" Good Morning.....", she said carefully.
Normont sits up and wipes the sleep from his eyes.
"That took longer than we expected", he says quietly as he looks bleary eyed around himself.
He gets up, standing close to his pistol and shield but not reaching for either, then looks up at the tall bugbear. At least she was being polite.
"Morning...", he says as he stifles a yawn, feeling someone else might be better placed to hold a more detailed conversation.
Dev awakens, a deep diagonal indentation showing where his face pressed against a seam in his pack while he slept. His hair is matted on one side and poofs out on the other. Surprised by the appearance of the furry figures, he stands woozily. Almost before conscious thoughts enter his sleep-fogged mind, the teenager hears the sound of his voice and realizes he is talking.
”Hi there. Good morning. We decided to make a big fire so we wouldn’t alarm anyone cuz we didn’t want to look like we were sneaking cuz we aren’t. We know these are probably your lands cuz we saw the markers but we need to make our way to the river if that’s ok. I can, um, entertain you with a song or a scene in exchange for your permission. But I just need a cup of coffee first. Do you want some?”
Dev rubs his eyes, blinking and suddenly stops speaking, his thoughts turning on himself anxiously. ‘What… was I thinking??’
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer