"Isn't she miss manners," Sybil beams pulling a curtsey as Gimble pauses to usher everyone out.

"Yarra by dusk or I'll leave you behind," Gimble calls out giving his horse another nudge and moving more quickly through the gathering crowds along the docks. 

It takes a good hour but the party, without incident, move out of the slums and into the middle class area of the city. Gimble seems less bold here and seems even more subdued when your party reaches the outer city gate another hour later! The party exits under the watchful eyes of scarlet clad Empire guards and gold armored paladins of Sune the cities Mother Goddess. Your are all carefully watch and as you approach the exit you hold your breath as FINALLY you're let through.

Twenty minutes later Gimble laughs throwing off his hood once you're out in open savannah between the rocky desert ahead and the coast behind.

"Getting back in will be more tricky," the half-elf warns but with an odd laughter in his tone. "So, where do you all hail from," asks before quickly adding his own answer. "I'm a son if Sune myself! I was born and raised in Sul Na Mara in the Dregs where we first met," he adds grinning at Duc. "Medusa came later," he offers but doesn't elaborate further. 

The fair city of Triskele, says Nat.  The Docks, to be exact.  It's a good enough place for a kid. I learned to talk my way out of trouble if I could and fight my way out if I couldn't.  What you'd call a 'balanced education', I guess.  Avoiding trouble, that was always the hard one.  He looks around to the others.

"I'm a northern girl, Caorthann until I was old enough to leave then a whole lot of different places. None of them for very long though, Sul na Mara is a fresh start but also hopefully somewhere I'll be able to stay." Looking over at the others she waits for Retiog and Alici to share their own birthplaces.

Alici thinks for quite some time, trying to think how best to answer. "Farther, more easterly," then before she can stop herself, "somewhere I wont be returning."

     Seeing those scarlet guards of the empire at the gate, Retiog does all in his power to keep his rage bottle up. He hard gaze says on them until they pass through. Once outside the city he begins to relax. His eyes scanning the surroundings, looking at the area around them withfondness.

     "My clan is... was not far from here. Similar to what you see around us now," Retiog responds to their guide's question.

Alici nods, understanding. "Perhaps we should bond over less dour a subject, hm? Though it was a near thing, I'm glad to be alive." She relishes in the breeze gently blowing through her loose hair as she rides a moment. "Does anyone have a favorite travelling song to pass the time while we travel?"

Nat, having travelled a reasonable amount in the eastern part of the continent, does his best to pick a song that is known widely, in the hopes that his companions will join in the chorus.  He settles on a song called Mirabelle's Steps, which tells the tale of a naive young noblewoman who goes on a tour of the cities of Talamh and manages to get robbed by thieves and bandits at each step of her journey until finally the Bandit King takes the last of her wealth, but also falls in love with and marries her.  Nat figures the subject matter fits their new life, and the brisk tempo should help them make good progress on their journey. 

"I think I've heard that song before, you sing it very well." Duc says afterwards but she doesn't join in.  "So Gimble, we are far enough along the path now to share a little of what we are doing out here isn't it?  I assume there is something to do with the trial and we will be tested in some way - is there anything you can tell us?"

      Retiog is unfamiliar with the song but after a few moments he pulls out his drum and tries to match the bard with a simple rhythm from his instrument. He finds this a bit more difficult from atop a horse. 

(ooc: @Steve we're in the most eastern region of the continent right now so the implication is that Alici is from another continent so long as the DM allows)

Alici hums along even though she clearly does not know the tune. She's clearly enjoying the ride and travelling by horseback, wearing a wide grin.

OOC: Alici I will allow it! PM me some ideas. We've discussed it before but I like the creativity level so hit me up with more details of Alici's distant land!

Nat just for fun roll performance. Retiog you too!

Gimble smiles at Duc and nods his head.

"There's a recently shall we say discovered tomb and I...well we," he gestures at the party, we have be charged with aquiring it! It's at the cusp of the savannah near the northern desert," he explains.

Note north of Sul Na Mara the barren townless expanse (that I just realized doesn't have me desert update. I'll fix that ASAP).

"It's a test really to see if you three are worthy of the cloaks she and I," he points to Duc's fine cloak, "wear," he adds. "We go to the tomb get the object and deliver it. Easy peasy," the half-elf says relaxing in his saddle. "I mean I don't think anyone else has got an easier assignment! I certainly didn't joining up," he adds with a smirk and a snort!

Performance 19

Nat's Performance: 12.  Not great.  DEX save to dodge rotten tomatoes: 24

Nat eyes Gimble suspiciously.  You must tell us the tale of your own assignment on the way back.  After we've looted this tomb, though; we don't want our own test to come as too much of a disappointment.

(12 is still better than average I would say. Serviceable, really :D)

Together Nat and Retiog make a entertaining duet!

"Ask me anything now or later. I'm not saying tge task isn't perilous...I mean for me it's easy," Gimble says to Nat flicking him a gold piece. "Fine voice you have and you," he looks to Retiog, "you're talents are...well a welcome surprise," he adds with a smile.

It takes another six solid hours of riding but with the sun dipping low Gimble seeks to make camp.

"It's open so good sight line for things taller than this damnable grass but then there's the grass," Gimble says about the campsite well ofg tge road of beaten earth as he cuts a swath of grass down with his scimitar enough for a comfortably camp. He then assigns tasks to the group wander off close by while the party works.

Best animal handling skills secure the horses for the night animal handling rolls each or one roll with advantage

Best survival skill building camp fire, tents etc.. Survival rolled by each or one roll with advantage

OOC: Only one person can particapate in each task! Also think about watch shifts! Gimble will take first or last watch alone, y'alls choice! You can choose to use passive perception or roll but the roll sticks! (Saute no more rolls for staying awake eh 😉)

(What if animal handling and survival both fall on the same character... looks like I'm the wise one yet again.)

Alici is not the best at any of these things, but tries to help where she can without getting in the way. She hums an approximation of Nat's tune while she works.

"I'm happy to take the first watch," she says, setting her pack near the fire and sitting atop it to avoid getting grass in her clothes, "or any for that matter."

Nat is kind of average at most things, so will take whatever's left over.  

Edit:  He'll help Duc with Animal Handling if he can, though he only has half proficiency.

(Retiog will take survival w/ adv from Ali, it is an expertise of his after all... Duc/Nat can team up on the animals.)

Survival     23

    The half-orc immediately hops of his horse and goes about the business of getting a proper camp set up with the help of Alici. While getting the tents thrown together, something he is very familiar with, he directs the human to areas where she might easily find firewood. "Watch out for snakes in this tall grass."

(Wow!  Nat 20 and Nat 1. Think that's a first for me in one roll.)

OOC: Retiog just became boy scout-Rambo!

The came is settled and firewood collected Nat and Duc work on the horses.

OOC: I need a roll guys!

First watch: Alici/?

Second watch: ?/?

Third watch: Gimble