Above & Below

"Hmm I see..." Kurama replied as the man spoke, jotting down some thoughts in the notebook he had pulled out at some point.  When asked their business, Kurama replied, "Thank you for the information Welby, we'll keep your thoughts in mind when we arrive.  Since you mentioned that we most likely wouldn't reach Sketevik until morning, do you know if there are any areas on the way where we can shelter for the night?  And if there's anything in particular we may need to worry about?" Then realizing hadn't answered the man's question, he added, "Oh, and we are searching for the Sister's if we're being honest.  We were told that one of them enjoyed traveling the plains to the South of here; so that is where we're headed first."    

His eyes shoot up from the fish when you mention the Sisters. "You're...searching for the Sisters? Gotta be honest, that's the first time I've heard that one." He pokes the fish and, seemingly satisfied, quickly pulls it away from the heated rocks and pulls out a knife to cut into it. "If you catch up with the market, you can ride along with them for the night. They only stop moving for a few hours, but they're fairly well defended...at least for a traveling market of merchants!" He tosses each of you a piece of the fish, and throws a piece into his own mouth as well.

Kurama, as you jot things down in your notebook, give me a wisdom-saving throw.

Kurama WIS Save: 20

Brask grabs the fish, sniffs it for signs of evil, poison or weird spices, and eats it.  Thanks! 

The fish is completely devoid of all three of those things.

As you're jotting notes, Kurama, you get a sharp pain behind your eye. You take 7 psychic damage.

Kurama visibly startled as he felt a sharp pain in his head, though he composed himself rather quickly.  "Oh, uh, thank you for the food Welby.  It's most appreciated."  Though confused on what may have caused the sudden jolt of pain, Kurama placed his notebook down and began to nibble on the food offered to him; mentally waving off the incident as a one time blip

(I was wondering if Effort noticed Kurama jumping, but then I realized her passive perception is 10.  Although... Cadmael?)

Cadmael perception: 23

Master... something is bothering the monk, Cadmael informs Effort as she's receiving her share of fish.

Effort glances sharply at Kurama, but ignores her familiar for the moment, hearing a disgruntled mental huff in return.  "I thank you, Welby, for your kindness and willing relay of information.  That seems to be hard to come by in these harsh lands.  We appreciate your candor.  It sounds as if we have not the time to chat further, though... I would rather we make haste and catch that caravan before it disappears.  Is there any tips you have for us in order to approach the merchants safely, if they have already begun to move on?"

After making polite conversation with Welby, she would find a moment to pull Kurama aside when they aren't in the fisherman's immediate company.  "Why did Cadmael tell me that you looked jumpy just a moment ago?  Was there something suspicious about Welby?" she asks in a low undertone.

"If you're capable, you'll be able to pick up their trail if you keep heading in the direction you were..." Welby stands up and stretches his arms out. "No real way to approach 'em. They're used to it. And they have enough capable folks there that four of you approaching isn't going to spook them. Farewell, and good luck!"

Quote from Enkida >>

 

After making polite conversation with Welby, she would find a moment to pull Kurama aside when they aren't in the fisherman's immediate company.  "Why did Cadmael tell me that you looked jumpy just a moment ago?  Was there something suspicious about Welby?" she asks in a low undertone. 

"It's probably nothing.  I just felt a painful sensation in my head for the moment that startled me is all.  I would be quite surprised if Welby had anything to do with it; he seemed quite nice."  Kurama replied.

Effort peers at Kurama suspiciously.  She snaps her fingers, muttering something under her breath, and then without warning, slaps her head on Kurama's forehead, as if taking his temperature.

Arcana checking Kurama: 13 (11 + 2 guidance)

Frowning, she snaps her other hand again with a small curse, and tries again.

Medicine checking Kurama: 21 (18 +3 guidance)

There's nothing externally wrong with the monk, and as far as Effort can tell, he's in fairly good health. 

Effort squints at Kurama and releases him from her ministrations.  "Fine.  But tell me if it happens again," she says sharply, tail lashing.

Once the group begins to make their way down the road again, Effort will have Cadmael scout ahead for any sign of the merchants.

(rolls can be made if necessary)

Everyone roll me investigation, including Cad.

Quote from Enkida >>

Effort squints at Kurama and releases him from her ministrations.  "Fine.  But tell me if it happens again," she says sharply, tail lashing.

Once the group begins to make their way down the road again, Effort will have Cadmael scout ahead for any sign of the merchants.

(rolls can be made if necessary)

"Yes mom..." Kurama nodded to Effort before also preparing to head off towards the caravan.

• Investigation: 20

Effort Investigation: 25 (21 + 4 guidance)

Cadmael investigation: 9

The clouds are hanging low, and Cadmael struggles to reach his usual height. Luckily, the real clues are right under your feet. As you start moving south, it isn't long before you notice tracks in the sand and mud. Feet, hooves, tires. All moving west together. You begin to follow them, and about an hour later you can make out the shapes of the caravan in the distance. As you get closer still, you realize there are dozens, if not hundreds, of members of this traveling market. Horses, wagons, entire market stalls stretched out between donkeys. It's an impressive sight, actually. 

A horn blares out as you approach, and you see that there are a few burly fellows on horseback marking the edges of the market. They eye you carefully at first, and a few others from the opposite side of the caravan join them, but they seem to calm a bit when you approach without any aggression. 

They nod as you get closer. Incredibly, the market seems to be active even on the move. You see people walking alongside the stalls, talking, bartering, and buying as they move. It's so big you can't even see the opposite side from here, although you can make out the top of a large tent toward the middle of the caravan. As you look around, you see people selling food, ladling ale into the mugs of stretched out arms, and there even seems to be a small, mobile band working its way through the market, playing their instruments as they avoid horses and other people. 

Brask's (late) investigation:  8

Brask, you spot a cloud that looks enticingly like a steak.

Kurama - like a kid in a candy shop - was utterly delighted by the sight of the moving marketplace.  Once again taking out his notebook, he began furiously jotting down random thoughts and observations as he approached, noting everything from what was sold, to how it was organized, to how business was conducted.

• Investigation? (to see what kind of items are sold in the stalls): 9  

"Amazing," Effort says, marveling at the caravan.  "Capitalism truly is an unstoppable force, regardless of the odds."  She hurries to catch up with Kurama, who's taken off exactly like a wide-eyed child at a fun fair.  "Why do I suddenly feel like I am mothering him?" she grumbles irritably to Brask and Pip, before catching sight of Pip's equally wide eyes.  Sighing, she shakes her head a little.  Cadmael, my companions are far too easily distracted.

Have you ever seen anything like this? Cadmael replies distantly from above, sounding excited.  Look at all those moving people!

Effort's brow wrinkles, and she gives up, looking for stalls selling magical scrolls or healing agents of any sort as she trails after Kurama.

(I can make a roll if it's needed)