"Aye, time to go now"

Grimbeard marches along the others, actively keeping pace with his taller companions. 

Lorskan offers Grimbeard his pipe as the walk along " What about you then dwarf, what brings you on this errand? whats your name?" Lorskan asks.

Orisdram approves of Lorskans offer, taking the pipe. In between puffs of the pipe he says

"The name is Orisdram Grimbeard. Though I mainly go by Grimbeard. Gundred is an old friend of mine. We've worked together in the past. He's helped me out on many times over the years, so I owe him this favor at the very least"

Grimbeard passes the pipe back to Lorskan, patting him on his lower back. He them switches his attention to Umbutu,

"Umbutu, what brings you and your beast to this part of the world. I assume you two are far from home."

He looks at Indlovu with more curiosity than before, yet still noticeably nervous.

 "Like Ivolyn here, I've only read about these things. I've never witnessed one in person until this day. I've never imagined them to be this large."

Maive pulls his lute from his back and begins strumming a simple tune.

Umbutu waves to the puzzled farmer as he answers Grimbeard. "My tale begins in Calimshan. I was a merchant. I would make offerings to the temple of Waukeen, goddess of trade, daily, and in return my business prospered. One day, almost ten years ago, I made the mistake of believing that I could maintain my good fortune without the favor of Waukeen. Over the course of a single month I had lost every coin to my name, and I had to borrow money from the local guilds to pay off my various debts. My home and business were burned to the ground by the guilds when they realized I was unable to repay them." His face hardens. "But I would not give in to Waukeen. Desperate and without a copper to my name, I traveled north. I found Indlovu in one of the many northern settlements I passed through and scraped up enough coin to buy his freedom. After that there is little to say. I took up the blade and wandered the northern lands with my new companion, taking on the odd adventuring job here and there, until I made the acquaintance of Gundren, who offered to hire me as a supply escort. And here you find me. "

He walks in silence for several minutes before he speaks again. "And what is your story, friend Grimbeard? "

Ivolyn, sitting atop the gentle Indlovu, pulls a battered book and linen-wrapped charcoal from her sling bag. She scratches with a quick hand on one page, then flips to a previous page in the book and runs her finger down to mid page. Finding what she was searching for, she flips back to the original page and continues scribbling for a few more moments. Stopping to listen to the others talk, Indlovu idly scratches the elephant's head while scanning the countryside from her high perch, a smile playing across her face.

Perception: 5

Orisdram briefly glimpses at Ivolyn riding atop the elephant. He admires her happiness and her seemingly careless demeanor. He attention switches back to Umbutu's question.

"My story...?"

He pauses for a brief moment.

"Like many Gold Dwarves, I was raised in the Great Rift. Our traditional home. There I found interest in finding and studying magical and ancient runes."

He looks out into the countryside with a distant look on his face. 

"Eventually I left the Great Rift. Exploring the world. I've been on the lookout for rare runes ever since." 

He continues to march along silently. Still looking out into the countryside.with the same distant look upon his face.

Umbutu ponders this information. "And what do you do when you find a rune?" He asks.

Ivolyn's body sways with the steps of Indlovu. The notes drifting from Maive's lute combined with the warmth of Indlovu's thick hide beneath her, lull the young woman into a pleasant complacency for a moment. 

"What tune is that you play?" she asks Maive. 

"It's called the Nameeman." Maive replies. "It's one of my earliest works."

His attention turns back to Umbutu

"Well companion, I study them!. Some are magical enchantments, while some are academic. Some have a story to tell, and some are simply for aesthetic appeal."

Grimbeard raises his quarterstaff closer to his face for a closer look. Focusing on the runic symbols carved into the wood. 

"There are details that are important to discover in every rune. Like who made the rune and why. Nevertheless, all runes are wonderful works of dwarven craftsmanship." 

"It's very good," Ivolyn replies to Maive. She furrows her brow in thought for a moment before bending over her book, which rests lightly upon the elephant's head, and scribbling once more. "You must have trained in music," she ponders aloud without lifting her head from the book.

"Yes..." Miave replies, Turning his attention back to his lute.

Umbutu smiles. "I understand. Runes are books contained in a single letter. "

Lorskan draws his sword and readies his shield taking up position in the middle of the road “halt, melee front, range cover the flanks!” He barks, his years in the military kicking in instantly. “Check those flanks! And keep the cargo in the centre” Lorskan moves forwards assuming that the others are moving into position.

Umbutu calmly nocks an arrow to his bow and takes position a few steps behind Lorskan. 

Maive stays by Inlovu, and keeps an eye out for any movement. Perception: 5