Ian steers the wagon to the edge of the road to allow the group to pass.  “Good day to you all!”

If Ras perseaves any issue (Perception: 13) :

          He will change his Cloak to match theirs and step forward to either (Persuade (9) or Deceive(17) for the group to pass.

As the group gets to about 20 feet from the group, the lead rider pulls up and says "Halt!!!" to all those around.  He then says to Tyrus "Do you travel from out of Waterdeep?"  The rest of the party comes to a halt but does not break rank or even seem to look at your group.

"Good day, lords. Yes, we are on our way from Waterdeep to Daggerford. Why do you ask? Can we help you with something?" Tyrus responds evenly.

How many of them are there, and what can we tell about their arms and armor?

If necessary: Perception: 26

There are twelve riders.  They are wearing chain mail and shields.  Most carry a long reaching weapons like a spear or pole arm.  At there side is a long sword and attached to their saddle is a crossbow.  They all appear to have recently been in combat from the sight of their cloaks and fresh wounds.

”There is danger behind us.  A roaming band of orcs have been attacking travelers near the bridge up ahead about 5 miles.  We were on a detail to Daggerford from Waterdeep when our group came under attack.  When we started there were 20 of us.  If I were you I would find a different path.  Most likely after we reach Waterdeep, we will return with a larger group to clear the road.”

The group pauses a couple more minutes and then begins to move on.

"How large is this band of orcs?" Tyrus asks. To the party, he says, "If this is an entire clan we may have no choice but to find a different path."

Ian says to Thagakh “How so you feel about fighting orcs?  I mean is it like you are part one so ....” Ian feels awkward about the question but also doesn’t want to fight with him again.

The leader says to Tyrus, “there were 30 before our battle,  when we escaped they were down to about half that number.  I suspect that they will reinforce soon.  They seem to want that bridge.”  With that they ride off quickly.

The half-orc replies to Ian's query.

"Well... Thagakh doesn't mind fighting orcs if it needs to but Thagakh doesn't really like fighting without reason which most orcs do.

Besides, Thagakh knows he is half-orc because he definitely resembles one. The other half, not so much. Thagakh doesn't think of it and just do what is interesting or fun.

From what Thagakh knows, your kind do like mountains, right? We might have to meet some and fight as we travel to the place Tyrus speaks of."

"So what will it be  continue on or find another way?

Ian says back to Thagakh, “my people fight each other all the time. Tribes destroy other tribes as a way to earn honor.  I will defeat whatever foe we face .... even friends turned into undead.”  To arafiel “ I didn’t mind scouting ahead to see what is out there.”

"I can send Jester ahead but i wont be able to see or hear while doing so"

"Don't worry Arafiel, there are..."

The half-orc counts every party member along with their new recruits beside their wizard for each of his fingers. 

"... five fingers to look out for you. Thagakh is sure we can't miss something with that amount of people."

Very well then"

Arafiel summons Jester as a raven and sends her forward

Perception for Jester11

To arafiel: Your familiar can only travel 100 feet from you.  Are you going forward with it?

Ian says to arafiel “ I can go with you but shouldn’t we get closer.... how far did that Waterdeep soldier say they were from us?”

"They said something about a bridge.  If we can find the nearest bridge on the road, I imagine we find our orcs."

Sorry fellows Jester doesnt have the range for far out scouting

Ooc   ill have her circle around us at 100ft radius

As the group moves forward towards the bridge, it occurs to Ras that he does know of another way to Secomber that bypasses Daggerford.  It is called the Black road and it keeps clear of the Delibiyr River.  Though this would take the Orc blockaide out of play, it would also mean that the party would not visit Daggerford and just might face other dangers.

For the first mile of travel, nothing seems out of order on the road.  However, as the team rounds the next bend just past the Ardeep Forest, Jester seems to have spotted something up ahead.  The party can see something burning about a mile off in the distance.