Nate, Eldheri and Sulesdeg the Pole both notice you casting magic, though neither says anything at the time. You don't sense any wolves nearby, but you do get a sense that the weather is going to take a turn for the worse. Eldheri smiles as you inform her: I guessed as much from the sky. There is some canvas in the wagon, if you don't have a strong tent.
When you try to chat with Sulesdeg, you discover that he's not talkative at all. He seems happy to listen, but says very little. One thing he does say is: Careful of the magic, friend Nate. Some folks don't trust it.
Eldheri shows no interest in intervening in the dispute, and quietly instructs you to stay back as well. You see Soar and Jalt step up to try to diffuse the situation.
Jalt stands between Cove and Hariman and the man yelling insults at them. He puts his arm out to try and get them to stop. This is not the job you were hired for. This is not the work we are being paid for. Would you have us lose our jobs over a silly squabble?
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Hoard of the Dragon Queen - Jalt Rhogar - Dragonborn Cleric (9)
Elspeth is quite amiable towards the two brothers, but steers the conversation towards less personal things whenever they ask about her past fights, although she isn't opposed to telling them about some of her battles with "raiders", essentially just her encounters with the first few cultists on their first night in Greenest with the serial numbers filed off, referring to both kobolds and cultists as just plain "bandits" and not mentioning Greenest or their investigations at all.
Elspeth definitely scowls a little when the man appears out of the tavern to dismiss the merchant caravans, muttering sotto voce, "Can't be too particular if they're willing to associate with you." as she turns away from the tavern, choosing to stay under the relative cover of the wagons while her boss debates what to do. She's not actually inconvenienced by the rain, and having been travelling often in poor weather couldn't care less about whether they camp out in the storm or if they find space in the tavern, it's mostly the principle of the thing that irritates her.
She does, however, notice when the guards of her caravan start to get vexed, and, while she herself is disinclined to stop the row she'd like to keep her employer happy, and so she walks up to Albit and Gettyn, giving them a friendly pat on the shoulder as she slips into the crowd, trying to keep between them and the people from the inn as she shoos them away. "C'mon, we don't have to to be engaging with them. There's better places to be, and starting a disagreement will just waste time. I'm sure Lasfelro has something else in mind for you to be doing."
"Looks like a shitty inn anyway, not worth ducking punches from these oafs in the rain," Soar says into the merchants' guards ears as she tries to gently, but very firmly, walk them back to the wagons. "We'll find a place down the road a bit, higher ground, barely any puddles, and set up shop. Far enough not to be downwind of these shits. Can you imagine what sort of establishment they run if this is how they do business to prospective clients?"
Soar, Jalt and Elspeth working together manage to calm down the younger guards who are still casting furious glances over at the rich man, but also now at their employer, keen not to lose their jobs before they've even begun.
The rich man, on the other hand, gets redder and redder in the face at everything Soar says. I think... he says, pointing to Soar, that this one needs a good thrashing. He nods towards the armed men with him, but one of them goes over to whisper in his ear. The man seems to rethink a moment, muttering something under his breath. He turns and seems about to storm back into the inn when he turns again and says to Soar: Tell me your name. Be quick about it. The innkeeper appears to be praying.
Elspeth takes a half-step forwards when the man threatens Soar, but doesn't take any action after he visibly reconsiders, even if she is growing to dislike him more and more by the second. If Soar looks at Elspeth after the man questions her, she'd see the tiefling shake her head slightly. She isn't going to leave until she's sure the rich man isn't coming out again, and after he leaves she's going to try to speak to the innkeeper to reassure him and apologize for their part in the confrontation. She's also going to try and ask after the identity of the rich man (persuasion if needed: 10).
Soar, shocked that anyone other than the caravan guards she was pulling away from the inn heard the words she spoke into their ears, finishes pushing them back toward the wagons, hoping they are done shouting insults. She gives them a final, “you done?” look and turns back at the rich man’s question.
On her way, she pulls out a silver piece in her palm, facing down and walks up to the praying innkeeper, and shakes his hand, transferring the silver piece to him. “For the troubles on our end.”
She looks laconically at the rich man and says, “Name’s Boar. You know I’m not worth the time. These chaps will go walk it off, and you can do dry off, and we’re out of your life forever.”
She turns and swings her arm with a small awkward bow and walks backwards toward the caravan, head down. She’s aiming to further defuse things, following her boss’ instructions of no conflict.
She does however note the man’s face, affect, clothing, and mannerisms in case she runs into him again and has a chance to teach him some manners.
Soar, the man sniffs, turns his back, and walks into the inn. The innkeeper is very grateful, and refuses the coin. I'm afraid I cannot allow you to stay in the stables, he says to you and the others gathered nearby. I dare not cause offence to... well. Please forgive me.
The rain continues to pour as the caravan pushes on a little way and then sets up camp for the night. Soar, Lasfelro doesn't comment, and may not have noticed what you did, but Leda seems pleased. It would have been wonderful to take that silly man down a peg, but I think you did right. I hope everyone in the caravan is grateful. And I hope that tiefling and dragonborn can get those youngsters under control soon.
In the camp, there's much discussion over what happened, with most people glad there was no fight, but a few of the guards grumbling about not letting the group get pushed around. The rain remains strong for most of the night, but as the sun rises the following day, it has turned to drizzle.
The caravan continues along the road, and now is moving out into the wilderness. This region is called the Fields of the Dead; the road, such as it is, twists and wanders through hills dotted with ancient battlefields, dolmens, and barrow mounds. Many of the others in the caravan seem to be on edge in this environment.
Six days out of Baldur's Gate, and the sky is grey but so far without rain. It's late afternoon, and the lead wagons round a bend in the road. Jalt and Elspeth are very close to the front, and it's Elspeth who sees a fight up ahead, perhaps two hundred feet away. With your enhanced vision, you can see a large wagon stopped in the middle of the road, its draft animals dead. It's clear that someone is hiding beneath the wagon, and large wooden crates have been placed to block the gaps between the wheels and prevent the attackers from entering. The attackers are a band of hobgoblins, five that you can see (though there may be more), surrounding the wagon but taking cover behind rocks nearby.
Is Elspeth the only one that can see something is wrong up ahead? If so, Elspeth will call out to Eldkin and Longnose, advising that the line of wagons halt while she takes a few of the guards to scout ahead. "I think there's a disturbance up ahead, best if some of us check it out without risking the wagons."
She'll discreetly add to Jalt, "I can see hobgoblins, and they don't look the friendly sort. Time to prove our worth, I guess."
Eldkin gives a signal, and Longnose's wagons halt. Which means the following cultists' wagons also halt, and so on down the line.
Go ahead, she says briefly, looking at Elspeth curiously. Just looks like a wagon to me. You have good eyes. Is it those... things you're wearing?
Nate and Soar, you don't know anything except that the caravan has halted. So far, this is nothing unusual, so Edhelri and Lasfelro seem troubled and don't feel the need to talk - they both just stand up and try to get a clearer view of what's up ahead.
(The four guards that Elspeth and Jalt command can accompany you if you wish. You could also get volunteers from the rest of the caravan. You've never met hobgoblins in battle before, but they have a fierce reputation, and five might be too many for Elspeth and Jalt to handle.)
Jalt signals the other guards as Elspeth mentions what she sees. Indeed it is time. Hopefully we dont get overwhelmed and the others hold their own. He points to the guards Lets go up and get a better look shall we?
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Hoard of the Dragon Queen - Jalt Rhogar - Dragonborn Cleric (9)
Elspeth will signal to the brothers when Longnose gives his permission to look closer, trying to dodge around his questioning of her glasses, shrugging a little while she waits for the other four guards to approach. "I've found it's always best to be wary of these things in the past. More people would make it safer, I'll see if any of the other guards are willing to come."
Elspeth would like to gather Nate and Soar, but making it look like she's simply gathering all of the guards. She'd tell one of the four of Longnose' guards to run a message to a couple of the caravans near the back, to warn them of potential danger and to see if they're willing to send a few guards as volunteers. Elspeth is adamant about waiting until he comes back before approaching the wagon.
Soar, make a Perception check to see what is ahead on the road.
Elspeth, Longnose agrees. Go, find volunteers. That's why we're together after all. He doesn't seem worried; more likely he's annoyed that this has interrupted whatever he was thinking about.
Elspeth sends Gethyn, one of the guard brothers under her command, down through the caravan, asking for extra hands to help confront whatever's ahead. He doesn't know what's ahead and he's not very persuasive, so he has limited success. The cultists aren't interested in splitting up, and the travellers have few competent fighters in their number. In time, he reaches Edhelri's wagon, and then Lasfelro's.
Nate and Soar, if you would like to 'volunteer' and join the group with Elspeth and Jalt, make a Persuasion check and also explain how you will sell this to your employer.
When the caravan comes to a halt, Nate is glad as they've been travelling for awhile now and is looking to perhaps have a snack.... until Gethyn arrives at Edhelri's wagon and Nate realizes that this isn't just a regular rest stop. He can't really see what is ahead as he is a bit farther back in the caravan (right?), but since the guard is asking for volunteers for recon, he knows that something is up. In the moment he has a flash of anxiety shit what if Soar and Elspeth and Jalt start fighting and I'm stuck back here
Nate is going to say to Eldheri and Sulesdeg "Hmmmm... could be somethin... could be nothin.... what do you rekon Ma'am? Shall I join the muscle and see what the kerfuffle is all about and have Sulesdeg stay with the wagon as planned? I know some folks might be leery about my lil' magic shows, but I tell ya it's won me more scuffles than I can shake a stick at. I might be a good help here. Anyhow... I'm at your service like you paid for... you call the shots."
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Soar perception: 7
When Gethyn makes his unpersuasive pitch to Lasfelro, Boar rolls her eyes and lets out a long sigh. She turns to her boss, eyes half-lidded. "We'll be stuck here twiddling our thumbs until someone... facilitates this sorry lot into forward motion. Might as well be me, right, sir? I'll try not to let any of the young bucks get into a fight with rich merchants."
Nate, Edhelri considers for a moment, then shakes her head. No, stay with me. Sulesdeg, go with the lad. Don't take any foolish risks, though. Sulesdeg nods silently, and follows the other guard. Edhelri also beings pushing forward to the front of the caravan, bringing you with her, but she won't allow you to join Elspeth's group (though you can disobey if you wish...)
Soar, Lasfelro considers for a long moment, then nods. Go. Gethyn gives him a short bow, and you head back to the front of the caravan where Jalt and Elspeth are waiting. On the way, you are able to get a decent view of the wagon in the distance; there's definitely a few figures, probably humanoid, crouching down around it - so far, they don't seem to have noticed the caravan, but if they turn round, they may do so.
The group for the expedition consists of Elspeth, Jalt, 'Boar', the four guards (including Gethyn) under Jalt and Elspeth's command, Sulesdeg, and two other guards volunteered by others in the caravan. The group gathers together, looking to Elspeth and Jalt to get underway. This is a scouting operation only, says Eldkin. Don't get yourselves killed. We can go around if needed. There's murmuring from the other guards and the traders, some in agreement, others not.
Nate, Eldheri and Sulesdeg the Pole both notice you casting magic, though neither says anything at the time. You don't sense any wolves nearby, but you do get a sense that the weather is going to take a turn for the worse. Eldheri smiles as you inform her: I guessed as much from the sky. There is some canvas in the wagon, if you don't have a strong tent.
When you try to chat with Sulesdeg, you discover that he's not talkative at all. He seems happy to listen, but says very little. One thing he does say is: Careful of the magic, friend Nate. Some folks don't trust it.
Eldheri shows no interest in intervening in the dispute, and quietly instructs you to stay back as well. You see Soar and Jalt step up to try to diffuse the situation.
Jalt stands between Cove and Hariman and the man yelling insults at them. He puts his arm out to try and get them to stop. This is not the job you were hired for. This is not the work we are being paid for. Would you have us lose our jobs over a silly squabble?
Hoard of the Dragon Queen - Jalt Rhogar - Dragonborn Cleric (9)
"Ive heard it both ways."
Elspeth is quite amiable towards the two brothers, but steers the conversation towards less personal things whenever they ask about her past fights, although she isn't opposed to telling them about some of her battles with "raiders", essentially just her encounters with the first few cultists on their first night in Greenest with the serial numbers filed off, referring to both kobolds and cultists as just plain "bandits" and not mentioning Greenest or their investigations at all.
Elspeth definitely scowls a little when the man appears out of the tavern to dismiss the merchant caravans, muttering sotto voce, "Can't be too particular if they're willing to associate with you." as she turns away from the tavern, choosing to stay under the relative cover of the wagons while her boss debates what to do. She's not actually inconvenienced by the rain, and having been travelling often in poor weather couldn't care less about whether they camp out in the storm or if they find space in the tavern, it's mostly the principle of the thing that irritates her.
She does, however, notice when the guards of her caravan start to get vexed, and, while she herself is disinclined to stop the row she'd like to keep her employer happy, and so she walks up to Albit and Gettyn, giving them a friendly pat on the shoulder as she slips into the crowd, trying to keep between them and the people from the inn as she shoos them away. "C'mon, we don't have to to be engaging with them. There's better places to be, and starting a disagreement will just waste time. I'm sure Lasfelro has something else in mind for you to be doing."
"Looks like a shitty inn anyway, not worth ducking punches from these oafs in the rain," Soar says into the merchants' guards ears as she tries to gently, but very firmly, walk them back to the wagons. "We'll find a place down the road a bit, higher ground, barely any puddles, and set up shop. Far enough not to be downwind of these shits. Can you imagine what sort of establishment they run if this is how they do business to prospective clients?"
Persuasion: 18
Soar, Jalt and Elspeth working together manage to calm down the younger guards who are still casting furious glances over at the rich man, but also now at their employer, keen not to lose their jobs before they've even begun.
The rich man, on the other hand, gets redder and redder in the face at everything Soar says. I think... he says, pointing to Soar, that this one needs a good thrashing. He nods towards the armed men with him, but one of them goes over to whisper in his ear. The man seems to rethink a moment, muttering something under his breath. He turns and seems about to storm back into the inn when he turns again and says to Soar: Tell me your name. Be quick about it. The innkeeper appears to be praying.
Elspeth takes a half-step forwards when the man threatens Soar, but doesn't take any action after he visibly reconsiders, even if she is growing to dislike him more and more by the second. If Soar looks at Elspeth after the man questions her, she'd see the tiefling shake her head slightly. She isn't going to leave until she's sure the rich man isn't coming out again, and after he leaves she's going to try to speak to the innkeeper to reassure him and apologize for their part in the confrontation. She's also going to try and ask after the identity of the rich man (persuasion if needed: 10).
Soar, shocked that anyone other than the caravan guards she was pulling away from the inn heard the words she spoke into their ears, finishes pushing them back toward the wagons, hoping they are done shouting insults. She gives them a final, “you done?” look and turns back at the rich man’s question.
On her way, she pulls out a silver piece in her palm, facing down and walks up to the praying innkeeper, and shakes his hand, transferring the silver piece to him. “For the troubles on our end.”
She looks laconically at the rich man and says, “Name’s Boar. You know I’m not worth the time. These chaps will go walk it off, and you can do dry off, and we’re out of your life forever.”
She turns and swings her arm with a small awkward bow and walks backwards toward the caravan, head down. She’s aiming to further defuse things, following her boss’ instructions of no conflict.
She does however note the man’s face, affect, clothing, and mannerisms in case she runs into him again and has a chance to teach him some manners.
Soar, the man sniffs, turns his back, and walks into the inn. The innkeeper is very grateful, and refuses the coin. I'm afraid I cannot allow you to stay in the stables, he says to you and the others gathered nearby. I dare not cause offence to... well. Please forgive me.
The rain continues to pour as the caravan pushes on a little way and then sets up camp for the night. Soar, Lasfelro doesn't comment, and may not have noticed what you did, but Leda seems pleased. It would have been wonderful to take that silly man down a peg, but I think you did right. I hope everyone in the caravan is grateful. And I hope that tiefling and dragonborn can get those youngsters under control soon.
In the camp, there's much discussion over what happened, with most people glad there was no fight, but a few of the guards grumbling about not letting the group get pushed around. The rain remains strong for most of the night, but as the sun rises the following day, it has turned to drizzle.
The caravan continues along the road, and now is moving out into the wilderness. This region is called the Fields of the Dead; the road, such as it is, twists and wanders through hills dotted with ancient battlefields, dolmens, and barrow mounds. Many of the others in the caravan seem to be on edge in this environment.
Six days out of Baldur's Gate, and the sky is grey but so far without rain. It's late afternoon, and the lead wagons round a bend in the road. Jalt and Elspeth are very close to the front, and it's Elspeth who sees a fight up ahead, perhaps two hundred feet away. With your enhanced vision, you can see a large wagon stopped in the middle of the road, its draft animals dead. It's clear that someone is hiding beneath the wagon, and large wooden crates have been placed to block the gaps between the wheels and prevent the attackers from entering. The attackers are a band of hobgoblins, five that you can see (though there may be more), surrounding the wagon but taking cover behind rocks nearby.
What will Elspeth do?
Is Elspeth the only one that can see something is wrong up ahead? If so, Elspeth will call out to Eldkin and Longnose, advising that the line of wagons halt while she takes a few of the guards to scout ahead. "I think there's a disturbance up ahead, best if some of us check it out without risking the wagons."
She'll discreetly add to Jalt, "I can see hobgoblins, and they don't look the friendly sort. Time to prove our worth, I guess."
OOC: let me know when Soar would notice something!
Eldkin gives a signal, and Longnose's wagons halt. Which means the following cultists' wagons also halt, and so on down the line.
Go ahead, she says briefly, looking at Elspeth curiously. Just looks like a wagon to me. You have good eyes. Is it those... things you're wearing?
Nate and Soar, you don't know anything except that the caravan has halted. So far, this is nothing unusual, so Edhelri and Lasfelro seem troubled and don't feel the need to talk - they both just stand up and try to get a clearer view of what's up ahead.
(The four guards that Elspeth and Jalt command can accompany you if you wish. You could also get volunteers from the rest of the caravan. You've never met hobgoblins in battle before, but they have a fierce reputation, and five might be too many for Elspeth and Jalt to handle.)
Jalt signals the other guards as Elspeth mentions what she sees. Indeed it is time. Hopefully we dont get overwhelmed and the others hold their own. He points to the guards Lets go up and get a better look shall we?
Hoard of the Dragon Queen - Jalt Rhogar - Dragonborn Cleric (9)
"Ive heard it both ways."
Soar, seeing her boss trying to look, will peer ahead and do her best to find out what he’s looking for.
Elspeth will signal to the brothers when Longnose gives his permission to look closer, trying to dodge around his questioning of her glasses, shrugging a little while she waits for the other four guards to approach. "I've found it's always best to be wary of these things in the past. More people would make it safer, I'll see if any of the other guards are willing to come."
Elspeth would like to gather Nate and Soar, but making it look like she's simply gathering all of the guards. She'd tell one of the four of Longnose' guards to run a message to a couple of the caravans near the back, to warn them of potential danger and to see if they're willing to send a few guards as volunteers. Elspeth is adamant about waiting until he comes back before approaching the wagon.
Soar, make a Perception check to see what is ahead on the road.
Elspeth, Longnose agrees. Go, find volunteers. That's why we're together after all. He doesn't seem worried; more likely he's annoyed that this has interrupted whatever he was thinking about.
Elspeth sends Gethyn, one of the guard brothers under her command, down through the caravan, asking for extra hands to help confront whatever's ahead. He doesn't know what's ahead and he's not very persuasive, so he has limited success. The cultists aren't interested in splitting up, and the travellers have few competent fighters in their number. In time, he reaches Edhelri's wagon, and then Lasfelro's.
Nate and Soar, if you would like to 'volunteer' and join the group with Elspeth and Jalt, make a Persuasion check and also explain how you will sell this to your employer.
When the caravan comes to a halt, Nate is glad as they've been travelling for awhile now and is looking to perhaps have a snack.... until Gethyn arrives at Edhelri's wagon and Nate realizes that this isn't just a regular rest stop. He can't really see what is ahead as he is a bit farther back in the caravan (right?), but since the guard is asking for volunteers for recon, he knows that something is up. In the moment he has a flash of anxiety shit what if Soar and Elspeth and Jalt start fighting and I'm stuck back here
Nate is going to say to Eldheri and Sulesdeg "Hmmmm... could be somethin... could be nothin.... what do you rekon Ma'am? Shall I join the muscle and see what the kerfuffle is all about and have Sulesdeg stay with the wagon as planned? I know some folks might be leery about my lil' magic shows, but I tell ya it's won me more scuffles than I can shake a stick at. I might be a good help here. Anyhow... I'm at your service like you paid for... you call the shots."
Persuasion: 1
Soar perception: 7
When Gethyn makes his unpersuasive pitch to Lasfelro, Boar rolls her eyes and lets out a long sigh. She turns to her boss, eyes half-lidded. "We'll be stuck here twiddling our thumbs until someone... facilitates this sorry lot into forward motion. Might as well be me, right, sir? I'll try not to let any of the young bucks get into a fight with rich merchants."
Persuasion: 8
Nate, Edhelri considers for a moment, then shakes her head. No, stay with me. Sulesdeg, go with the lad. Don't take any foolish risks, though. Sulesdeg nods silently, and follows the other guard. Edhelri also beings pushing forward to the front of the caravan, bringing you with her, but she won't allow you to join Elspeth's group (though you can disobey if you wish...)
Soar, Lasfelro considers for a long moment, then nods. Go. Gethyn gives him a short bow, and you head back to the front of the caravan where Jalt and Elspeth are waiting. On the way, you are able to get a decent view of the wagon in the distance; there's definitely a few figures, probably humanoid, crouching down around it - so far, they don't seem to have noticed the caravan, but if they turn round, they may do so.
The group for the expedition consists of Elspeth, Jalt, 'Boar', the four guards (including Gethyn) under Jalt and Elspeth's command, Sulesdeg, and two other guards volunteered by others in the caravan. The group gathers together, looking to Elspeth and Jalt to get underway. This is a scouting operation only, says Eldkin. Don't get yourselves killed. We can go around if needed. There's murmuring from the other guards and the traders, some in agreement, others not.
"Right. You got it, Ma'am."
Nate isn't going to disobey... yet. He's going to listen to Edhelri for now and follow her as she pushes forward.
Boar nods and says, "I guess we'll go check it out, then." She starts walking forward.