As the wagons approach the nice rise, the smell of charcoal lingers on the air. They crest the ridgetop and begin to roll down into the next valley. Ahead, the smouldering ruins of a carriage can be seen.

Archibald begins to take s deep breath before unlocking onto Brundir when the carriage comes into bier... “... Oh dear,  this doesn’t look.good at all.  Mr Stag, what do you think?”

Archibald wants to make sure it’s not a trap before proceeding.

"Pull a shield out yer arse, fer one." Bründir is sitting up on the edge of the wagon, javelin and sword in hand, staring at the burning wagon, "Thinkin' bait, maybe?"

“Just because that was a favorite party trick of your mothers doesn’t mean everyone can do it.  Val, with me please.”  Val and Archie go to investigate the wreckage.

Upon closer inspection of the wreckage, Archie finds Irithiel's crest emblazoned across the front of one of the shattered doors. Inside, the carriage has been thoroughly looted. Papers are strewn about and a steak of blood is smeared across a seat.

Archie gathers some of the papers looking for anything important written down or even just a symbol or seal as evidence of what has happened.  If not he will have Val rip off the door with seal.  He turns back to the group:

”Irithiel has been taken!  It may have been the same folk we saw earlier.  I know our directive is to take this caravan to its destination.  But I think they might need their leader more.  We should search for them.”  Then a spark lights across Archie’s face.

“What if we were to let the bandits take us too.  Then we will be taken to the same location as Irithiel and then bust him out.”

During the events of the threat in the forest and the bickering after, Dorno leans in to those nearby and says quietly.  "I saw something, but did not see any deer, stags, moles, or wolves."  He is not joking, and continues to peer around into the forest looking for trouble...or moles.  A bit louder he says "sorry little man" to Brundir, "but I will watch for a mole for you!"

Later, the firbolg looks concerned at the site of the burning cart.  He approaches cautiously after the others, and hears them speak.  At mention of the shield, Dorno is once again confused and remarks "your mother must be MUCH larger than you, little one" to Brundir.  He adds "twice as large as me even?"

Dorno turns away from the cart and begins to look around.*

The forest teams with wildlife and Dorno can quickly find a bird or squirrel to question. They say a nest of men threw fast things at the people on the tree box. They hurt them and took them away.

“Uhm, I, uh, I don’t know about that Archie. I don’t... well they might take our weapons. Well... all of your weapons. I’d be fine I guess. But still! Getting captured doesn’t uh... sound like a plan A, ya know?”

Valaith stares incredulously at Archie when he suggests the plan of action. She tightens her grip on the haft of her hammer, as if daring someone to try and take it from her. "I will not give up my weapons and be taken captive. I say we go in just after nightfall after they've had their fill of food and drink and then smash their heads in."

Dorno just looks at his home made wooden and woven gear, along with his quarterstaff and contributes "I like my stick."  "It's a good stick."  He looks reluctant to give up his personal belongings.

“Well Val, if you can find their camp I will gladly follow you there.”

"I can prolly figure somethin' when I'm in. Ne'er spent much time fightin', so I can't say I'd be much help."

Survival - 8

Val looks at Archie and nods. "Watch my back, don't let me get stuck with arrows while I'm distracted." She immediately begins to look about the area for any indicators where the bandits fled after the attack.

Survival Adv Roll - 12

As Val searches, she sees a shadow looming from close behind her.  As she looks back over her shoulder Dorno is there,  probably uncomfortably close.  He seems to be looking wide eyed and curiously at whatever she is looking at, concentrating.  He silently looks her in the eye, puts one finger over his mouth to indicate they should keep quiet, then points to what he thinks may be tracks not far in front of her, although he is not sure yet.  The need to be quiet is probably a bit odd, as the others are still talking just a few feet away.  Dorno has simply slipped into his default tracking and sneak mode regardless of whether or not all aspects are practical at the moment.

OOC . Just providing the Help action.  Couldn't find Val's height in what we can see of each other's sheets, so not exactly sure who's taller in this scenario as I pictured Dorno looming. haha

Val and Dorno pick up the trail of several laden humanoids moving north. The valley the caravan is currently traveling through runs east-west. It would be very difficult, if not impossible to take the wagons north from here.

"Good job, big lady."  Dorno turns the others.  "Big lady find they went this way."  He turns back and gives Val a big smile.

“Uhm- I uh, I don’t know if following them is a good idea. W-what if they have traps around their camp? We could be walking right into an ambush.”

“Vark might be right, our mission is to guard the caravan first.  Then deal with the bandits.  If we leave now, surely the carriages will get attack and we will lose everything.”

The wagons roll on west, and a few hours later the road through the valley enters a crevasse with tall, uneven rocky sides. The slopes of the mountainside to the left and right are thick with slim pine trees and carpeted with fallen branches and tree trunks.