Doozey scrunches his face up and rubs his chin at the boy's request, teasing the boy with indecision. "Eh! Why not. Try not to exhaust him too much now. We got a ways to go yet today." The stoutling says as he slips off Biscuit, knowing a child's enthusiasm wouldn't wait for much. And despite doing so much running about already, Biscuit more than eagerly reciporcates the boy's wishes for a time, having not had a chance to innocently play in, well, months!
Doozey watches for a time; an absent-minded smile playing on the edges of his lips. Remembering the man's plight, he sighs and makes his way over the main group, trusting biscuit will keep lookout on the boy. "Pardon me, sirrah. Not to press any offer to much, if'n ya really could use the help with yer cart, I'm sure one of me friends here could be of assistance there. I know it cannae be very comforting fer either you or ya boy bein' on the road for so long." He entreats.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Watching the man's nerves ease, Utar feels his own subside. It seems like this could be the elusive merchant Dornal was searching for...
Dismounting Glühoof, Utar pats the flank of the horse in thanks before approaching the wagon and dropping to his haunches trying to look underneath at the axle.
"Broken axle is maybe the worst part to break out on the road. Some folk carry spare wheels, but axles? Nobody carries 'em."
Craning his neck, he sucks air between his teeth as he inspects the damage.
OOC Utar is trying to gauge how badly the axle is broken and whether it was damaged intentionally. I guess he knows a little given his background, but the check is more to gauge whether there's anything else under the cart that's amiss.
"That would make you Gilfron Milon, yes? Whitebeard was worried that something may have happened..."
"It is fortunate that what happened is less dire than we thought. He also asked us to help you in a manner that would allow to finish your journey to Phlan."
The man listens to Neya arriving at her conclusions: "Oh, I see. Old man Dornal sent help. Mighty considerate of him! Well, in that case, you don't need to offer it again." He throws his handaxe back into the wagon and yells at his son's direction: "Gilmont! It's nothing to worry about. These people are under the employ of my friend!" The boy is too busy playing with Biscuit to care about his father's relief. Turning once more to face Neya, he adds: "And yes, I am indeed Gilfron Milon. What are your names?"
As he converses with the monk, Graxx and Utar star examining the vehicle. The barbarian is able to lift a corner of the loaded wagon, albeit uncomfortably. His job made easier, the cleric looks at the broken axle. It is not a clean break. The thick piece of worked cylindrical wood is splintered on both broken ends. No large chunks seem to be missing, though, so it could be worse. No obvious culprit can be found underneath the wagon. No surprises down there either.
While Utar examines, a much calmer Gilfron responds to his comment: "Tell me about it! We were headed to Phlan from Hillsfar. Saw a lot of raided villages and homes this time around. At the village just two days past, I saw the ruins still smoldering. I have avoided going into any of these ruined villages... didn't want to encounter any lingering raiders out here. For a moment, I thought you were it, but I am glad I was wrong. After seeing that last village still in embers, I figured I'd pick up my pace. We ran over a pointy bolder but I didn't want to stop. Managed to travel quite far on a damaged axle, but in the end, it gave in. I've been trying to fix it since, but got nowhere near succeeding..."
He then looks at Doozey while the halfling tries to convince him to accept help. He has a hopeful look on his face now: "Do you think you can help? Are you carpenters or woodworkers? I have some tolls in the back of the wagon that might help... not that I know how to use them..."
"Might be we can sort something out, get you back on the road a little quicker. It'll depend on how deep my credit with the Big Guy runs and I reckon I'll need some help strong arming the pieces of that axle into position, if you don't mind, Graxx?"
Utar raises himself up of his haunches, making a little noise as his knees creak.
"I'm no carpenter, but if this comes to naught, I reckon we could take a look at those tools and see whether we can't bodge a solution, at least get you to Phlan and a proper cartsmith. What's Dornal got the pair of you hauling, anyhow?"
"I'm Neya, the man under your wagon is Graxx, with him is Utar, and the dynamic duo are Doozey and Biscuit. We make up the Chaotic Relief Adventuring Party." Neya's voice loses a bit of energy near the end as the realization of the rather unfortunate acronym sets in.
Doozey just for his parts just grinned and gestured to everyone else as they stepped up, and then pats the man on the leg. "Trust." He adds, and then with that he turns to keep an eye on Biscuit and the Boy. The former of which at this point had taken to try and play tug of war following the latest fetch quest. As much as Biscuit could clearly overpower the boy, it seemed all to be in fun and games with the mastiff eventually acquiescing once more.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
The man pays careful attention as Neya introduces the group and Doozey reassures him of their intention. He replies: "Great! I'll make sure to mention to Dornal your names and the help you are providing me next time I see him."
He then shifts his attention to Graxx and Utar, while handing them his sets of woodcarver's tools and carpenter's tools in case they are helpful. He also replies the cleric's question: "Mostly food. That dwarf has an incredible appetite for expensive dishes. I do carry a healthy amount of tools and other items as well, though. I can't depend on one customer to earn a living. In fact, help me here as you said and you can each get an item from my wagon free of charge." He follows that offer with a bit more about himself. You all get the impression he is boasting a bit, if not exaggerating: "I own a handful of wagons and lead caravans laden with goods for sale and trade all along the coast of the Moonsea. Sometimes, I carry back orders for particular large shipments. They can also be sent by boat, but I usually use the Iron Route."
Gilmont continues to play with Biscuit, and even approaches Doozey to invite him to play tag with them while "the adults" work on the wagon.
(OOC: I'll need another [skill]athletics[skill] check {DC 10} from Graxx to help strong arming the pieces of that axle into position. Gilfron is not particularly strong, but he'll help the barbarian hold the broken axle is place. Utar can then do whatever he is planning to do.)
With Graxx and Gilfron manhandling the broken pieces of axle, Utar lies on his stomach and shimmies underneath the cart. Turning over to face the axle before squirming on the ground, trying to at least get a little comfortable.
Whispering to himself, partly in pep-talk, partly in prayer, he lays his hands on the axle, one on each half, close to the break.
"Ok, nothing to this. Remember how Tyree explained this... Torm, any inspiration, aid, divine help... Well it's always appreciated, let's help this family get home..."
Closing his eyes, Utar forces a breath through his teeth.
Casting mending, Utar's amulet glows, as do the areas of axle around his hands. Soft pops and cracks from the split wood fill his ears and if he was watching, motes of light joining and fusing. The nouse gaining in volume and frequency, until it sounds like a hard rain falling underneath the cart, reaching a crescendo until... It stops.
Slowly, Utar opens his eyes and looks over his attempt.
With Gilfron's help, Graxx manages to angle the two pieces of axle just right. They are heavy, especially when accounting for the weight of the rest of the wagon, but Graxx has Tempus' strength by his side. The two parts snap together like puzzle pieces. While the two men hold it together, Utar comes in close and begins fueling his divine favor through the wood. While the time consuming process moves forward, Gilfron is happy to continue sharing his story. During the telling, you all get a bit more of the feeling that Gilfron cannot help but brag a bit: "The only sign of civilization Gilmont and I saw was the island ferry about half a day back. The fisher folk have always been a strange and isolated kin who don't much mix with others, but I spoke with the boatman and loosened his tongue with a new hammer and some nails that the man needed to use to repair his ferry. The boatman said he was more worried about the storm coming in the next day or so than he was about any rumors haunting the area. I told him the rumors might be behind all the burning villages, but all he wanted to talk about was the storms. You know, in the Stormy Bay, storms coming in off the sea are all too common. I'm not sure what he saw in them..."
Slowly but surely, after many castings of the mending spell, the two pieces become one again. It is not a perfect fix, and many smaller strips of wood are still missing. The wheels are not likely to be well balanced either, but Utar judges it to be enough of a fix for the rest of the trip into Phlan.
The men step away from the wagon and Gilfron wipes the sweat from his brow: "Wow, magic is really something! Thank you very much folk. Without your help, we were pretty much sitting ducks here." He then begins grabbing items from the back of his wagon once again: "As promised, here are some items to show my gratitude. Please go ahead and pick whichever one you'd like."
(OOC: Each of you can pick any mundane item from the PHB or other sources to add to your inventory. No weapons, armor, or magic stuff including spell components and the like, but feel free to pick up any set of tools, gaming pieces, or adventuring gear you'd like up to a cost of 25gp.)
"They do sound a strange lot. It has been a while since the last attack... Who knows, they may be struck next; their attitudes should be a great degree more than indifferent." Neya says as she takes a cursory glace through the items.
"Ah, I was wanting a replacement when I lost my last one!" She says as she spots a grappling hook (2 gp) peeking out of the pile.
Wiggling his way out from underneath the cart, Utar stands back up, wiping his hands on his tunic.
"I'd take it careful on the road back and I'd get a proper replacement organised in Phlan. I'm not sure how long this will hold past that,but it will get you and your boy back on the road."
Looking within the wagon, Utar points to a set of carpenters tools.
"Mind if I take those with me, never know when magic might not get the job done and it's maybe about time I try my hand at something constructive."
Doozey eventually disentangling himself from the boy and biscuit playtime to join the others. A small grin blooms seeing that Utar and Graxx' work completed, though the look soon turns to surprise at the offered reward. "That's mighty kind of you, good sir'rah. Though... I myself didn't do much at all, so I feel kind of bad about accepting any reward, truth be told." He admits and smiles sheepishly up at the man. But if there's any insistence at all from either the man or the party, the halfling caves, and with some lingering hesitation takes a healer's kit off the man's hand.
Though there is one moment it looks as if he might go for a climber's kit instead. "And, uh, here. A day's ration. Not sure how much you have left in stock, and if not fer yourself and boy, take it anyways. There was a, uhm, family of wolves spotted a ways up ahead. So, having something to hopefully distract them as you go couldn't hurt." Doozey suggest, yet in the end wouldn't press things. He does however say to the group, "It sounds as if this island village should be our next stop all the same. Could even be they know more about this ghost ship, if only due to having a healthier amount of stories and cares for the whims of sea woes."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Graxx smiles and nods at the generous offer. The barbarian walks over and looks over the cart. He doesn’t see anything of particular interest until he sees a pair of manacles dangling. He picks the up and looks at them of interest before placing them in his bag.
”Much appreciated, friend.” says Graxx genuinely.
Graxx walks over to Doozey.
”I agree master Doozey. These storms... They’ve been mentioned more and more. How much of all these occurrences are tied together? Let us make haste.”
You each find the items you sought among barrels, which are likely filled with the fancy food Gilfron mentioned. There are many other tools tossed in here but, with enough browsing, you find what you want. Doozey chooses to leave the climber's kit behind.
Regarding the storms, Gilfron tells Graxx that "the boatman did in actuality mention something other than the weather. I asked him a bit more about these rumors and he mentioned whispers of a draco-leech. I have no idea what that is, but it sounded dreadful. Worried about my boy, I only pushed a bit further before deciding to leave. The strange boatman gave me a long stare and said that there has been a plague of those with fragile minds spouting such tales of late. His words, not mine!"
Regarding the villagers, Gilfron tells Neya that "those folk can't be too bad... the boatman's island village sheltered the poor soul of a mumbling man who had wandered to the ferry stop two days ago. He said the man had seen something that has made him lose his mind. He was spouting on about "the eyes of the draco-leech" watching him wherever he goes. That gave me the creeps alright. What kind of raiders can do that to a person? Leave them weak and confused in the head? I left the strange man alone after that... Gilmont was getting scared."
The kid, Gilmont, approaches Doozey now that he is done playing with Biscuit. He accepts the offer of food on behalf of his dad, and says: "Wolves! Cool! And no dad, I wasn't getting scared! You were! When you were speeding away in the wagon's front seat, I was in the back and I even saw the boatman making a weird digging-like gesture with his hand. He was pointing to the ground with his pinkie and forefinger." The kid shows how with his own left hand.
"No, wolves are not cool, and never mind that boatman anymore. Come! it is time to go." He turns to Utar: "Thank you kind cleric. Thank you and all of your friends. We'll be careful with the axle, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't going to try to speed past those wolves and straight into town."
With that, they sort of rush into their positions in the wagon after retrieving an old horse from behind the bushes and attaching it to the vehicle. As Gilmont waves and says goodbye, his father moves ahead with haste. As they leave, you can hear the merchant cursing the heavens "Draco whatever... leeches this... wolves that..."
(OOC: Anything else before hitting the road again?)
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Looking to the other members of CRAP, Utar raises an eyebrow, "I did not like how many times he said Draco-leech... Anyone else?"
Thinking on Gilmont's words about the Boatman, Utar wonders whether the motions made by the man wasn't magical in nature, and whether the damage to the wagon wasn't an accident after all...
Raising a hand to his amulet, it glows once more, casting guidance.
"What I find more concerning is that the boatman was talking about it. Could it be that 'draco-leech' is the local pronunciation of 'dracolich?' If so, how does he know about it? The village hasn't been attacked, yet!"
Doozey scrunches his face up and rubs his chin at the boy's request, teasing the boy with indecision. "Eh! Why not. Try not to exhaust him too much now. We got a ways to go yet today." The stoutling says as he slips off Biscuit, knowing a child's enthusiasm wouldn't wait for much. And despite doing so much running about already, Biscuit more than eagerly reciporcates the boy's wishes for a time, having not had a chance to innocently play in, well, months!
Doozey watches for a time; an absent-minded smile playing on the edges of his lips. Remembering the man's plight, he sighs and makes his way over the main group, trusting biscuit will keep lookout on the boy. "Pardon me, sirrah. Not to press any offer to much, if'n ya really could use the help with yer cart, I'm sure one of me friends here could be of assistance there. I know it cannae be very comforting fer either you or ya boy bein' on the road for so long." He entreats.
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Watching the man's nerves ease, Utar feels his own subside. It seems like this could be the elusive merchant Dornal was searching for...
Dismounting Glühoof, Utar pats the flank of the horse in thanks before approaching the wagon and dropping to his haunches trying to look underneath at the axle.
"Broken axle is maybe the worst part to break out on the road. Some folk carry spare wheels, but axles? Nobody carries 'em."
Craning his neck, he sucks air between his teeth as he inspects the damage.
Perception 22
OOC Utar is trying to gauge how badly the axle is broken and whether it was damaged intentionally. I guess he knows a little given his background, but the check is more to gauge whether there's anything else under the cart that's amiss.
Graxx will dismount his horse.
"Hold tight girl. Won't take long." says Graxx to Edith.
Graxx will then walkover and would like to see if he can lift the cart to try to gauge the task at hand and give Utar a better look.
Strength: 21
"That would make you Gilfron Milon, yes? Whitebeard was worried that something may have happened..."
"It is fortunate that what happened is less dire than we thought. He also asked us to help you in a manner that would allow to finish your journey to Phlan."
Extended Signature
The man listens to Neya arriving at her conclusions: "Oh, I see. Old man Dornal sent help. Mighty considerate of him! Well, in that case, you don't need to offer it again." He throws his handaxe back into the wagon and yells at his son's direction: "Gilmont! It's nothing to worry about. These people are under the employ of my friend!" The boy is too busy playing with Biscuit to care about his father's relief. Turning once more to face Neya, he adds: "And yes, I am indeed Gilfron Milon. What are your names?"
As he converses with the monk, Graxx and Utar star examining the vehicle. The barbarian is able to lift a corner of the loaded wagon, albeit uncomfortably. His job made easier, the cleric looks at the broken axle. It is not a clean break. The thick piece of worked cylindrical wood is splintered on both broken ends. No large chunks seem to be missing, though, so it could be worse. No obvious culprit can be found underneath the wagon. No surprises down there either.
While Utar examines, a much calmer Gilfron responds to his comment: "Tell me about it! We were headed to Phlan from Hillsfar. Saw a lot of raided villages and homes this time around. At the village just two days past, I saw the ruins still smoldering. I have avoided going into any of these ruined villages... didn't want to encounter any lingering raiders out here. For a moment, I thought you were it, but I am glad I was wrong. After seeing that last village still in embers, I figured I'd pick up my pace. We ran over a pointy bolder but I didn't want to stop. Managed to travel quite far on a damaged axle, but in the end, it gave in. I've been trying to fix it since, but got nowhere near succeeding..."
He then looks at Doozey while the halfling tries to convince him to accept help. He has a hopeful look on his face now: "Do you think you can help? Are you carpenters or woodworkers? I have some tolls in the back of the wagon that might help... not that I know how to use them..."
"Might be we can sort something out, get you back on the road a little quicker. It'll depend on how deep my credit with the Big Guy runs and I reckon I'll need some help strong arming the pieces of that axle into position, if you don't mind, Graxx?"
Utar raises himself up of his haunches, making a little noise as his knees creak.
"I'm no carpenter, but if this comes to naught, I reckon we could take a look at those tools and see whether we can't bodge a solution, at least get you to Phlan and a proper cartsmith. What's Dornal got the pair of you hauling, anyhow?"
Graxx gets in position to lift again as needed.
"Just give me the word, friend and I'll take care of the rest." says Graxx.
Graxx looks around cautiously.'
"We probably shouldn't take too long. I'm feelin' exposed here." warns Graxx.
"I'm Neya, the man under your wagon is Graxx, with him is Utar, and the dynamic duo are Doozey and Biscuit. We make up the Chaotic Relief Adventuring Party." Neya's voice loses a bit of energy near the end as the realization of the rather unfortunate acronym sets in.
Extended Signature
Doozey just for his parts just grinned and gestured to everyone else as they stepped up, and then pats the man on the leg. "Trust." He adds, and then with that he turns to keep an eye on Biscuit and the Boy. The former of which at this point had taken to try and play tug of war following the latest fetch quest. As much as Biscuit could clearly overpower the boy, it seemed all to be in fun and games with the mastiff eventually acquiescing once more.
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
The man pays careful attention as Neya introduces the group and Doozey reassures him of their intention. He replies: "Great! I'll make sure to mention to Dornal your names and the help you are providing me next time I see him."
He then shifts his attention to Graxx and Utar, while handing them his sets of woodcarver's tools and carpenter's tools in case they are helpful. He also replies the cleric's question: "Mostly food. That dwarf has an incredible appetite for expensive dishes. I do carry a healthy amount of tools and other items as well, though. I can't depend on one customer to earn a living. In fact, help me here as you said and you can each get an item from my wagon free of charge." He follows that offer with a bit more about himself. You all get the impression he is boasting a bit, if not exaggerating: "I own a handful of wagons and lead caravans laden with goods for sale and trade all along the coast of the Moonsea. Sometimes, I carry back orders for particular large shipments. They can also be sent by boat, but I usually use the Iron Route."
Gilmont continues to play with Biscuit, and even approaches Doozey to invite him to play tag with them while "the adults" work on the wagon.
(OOC: I'll need another [skill]athletics[skill] check {DC 10} from Graxx to help strong arming the pieces of that axle into position. Gilfron is not particularly strong, but he'll help the barbarian hold the broken axle is place. Utar can then do whatever he is planning to do.)
Graxx Athletics Check w/help: 20
With Graxx and Gilfron manhandling the broken pieces of axle, Utar lies on his stomach and shimmies underneath the cart. Turning over to face the axle before squirming on the ground, trying to at least get a little comfortable.
Whispering to himself, partly in pep-talk, partly in prayer, he lays his hands on the axle, one on each half, close to the break.
"Ok, nothing to this. Remember how Tyree explained this... Torm, any inspiration, aid, divine help... Well it's always appreciated, let's help this family get home..."
Closing his eyes, Utar forces a breath through his teeth.
Casting mending, Utar's amulet glows, as do the areas of axle around his hands. Soft pops and cracks from the split wood fill his ears and if he was watching, motes of light joining and fusing. The nouse gaining in volume and frequency, until it sounds like a hard rain falling underneath the cart, reaching a crescendo until... It stops.
Slowly, Utar opens his eyes and looks over his attempt.
With Gilfron's help, Graxx manages to angle the two pieces of axle just right. They are heavy, especially when accounting for the weight of the rest of the wagon, but Graxx has Tempus' strength by his side. The two parts snap together like puzzle pieces. While the two men hold it together, Utar comes in close and begins fueling his divine favor through the wood. While the time consuming process moves forward, Gilfron is happy to continue sharing his story. During the telling, you all get a bit more of the feeling that Gilfron cannot help but brag a bit: "The only sign of civilization Gilmont and I saw was the island ferry about half a day back. The fisher folk have always been a strange and isolated kin who don't much mix with others, but I spoke with the boatman and loosened his tongue with a new hammer and some nails that the man needed to use to repair his ferry. The boatman said he was more worried about the storm coming in the next day or so than he was about any rumors haunting the area. I told him the rumors might be behind all the burning villages, but all he wanted to talk about was the storms. You know, in the Stormy Bay, storms coming in off the sea are all too common. I'm not sure what he saw in them..."
Slowly but surely, after many castings of the mending spell, the two pieces become one again. It is not a perfect fix, and many smaller strips of wood are still missing. The wheels are not likely to be well balanced either, but Utar judges it to be enough of a fix for the rest of the trip into Phlan.
The men step away from the wagon and Gilfron wipes the sweat from his brow: "Wow, magic is really something! Thank you very much folk. Without your help, we were pretty much sitting ducks here." He then begins grabbing items from the back of his wagon once again: "As promised, here are some items to show my gratitude. Please go ahead and pick whichever one you'd like."
(OOC: Each of you can pick any mundane item from the PHB or other sources to add to your inventory. No weapons, armor, or magic stuff including spell components and the like, but feel free to pick up any set of tools, gaming pieces, or adventuring gear you'd like up to a cost of 25gp.)
"They do sound a strange lot. It has been a while since the last attack... Who knows, they may be struck next; their attitudes should be a great degree more than indifferent." Neya says as she takes a cursory glace through the items.
"Ah, I was wanting a replacement when I lost my last one!" She says as she spots a grappling hook (2 gp) peeking out of the pile.
Extended Signature
Wiggling his way out from underneath the cart, Utar stands back up, wiping his hands on his tunic.
"I'd take it careful on the road back and I'd get a proper replacement organised in Phlan. I'm not sure how long this will hold past that,but it will get you and your boy back on the road."
Looking within the wagon, Utar points to a set of carpenters tools.
"Mind if I take those with me, never know when magic might not get the job done and it's maybe about time I try my hand at something constructive."
Doozey eventually disentangling himself from the boy and biscuit playtime to join the others. A small grin blooms seeing that Utar and Graxx' work completed, though the look soon turns to surprise at the offered reward. "That's mighty kind of you, good sir'rah. Though... I myself didn't do much at all, so I feel kind of bad about accepting any reward, truth be told." He admits and smiles sheepishly up at the man. But if there's any insistence at all from either the man or the party, the halfling caves, and with some lingering hesitation takes a healer's kit off the man's hand.
Though there is one moment it looks as if he might go for a climber's kit instead. "And, uh, here. A day's ration. Not sure how much you have left in stock, and if not fer yourself and boy, take it anyways. There was a, uhm, family of wolves spotted a ways up ahead. So, having something to hopefully distract them as you go couldn't hurt." Doozey suggest, yet in the end wouldn't press things. He does however say to the group, "It sounds as if this island village should be our next stop all the same. Could even be they know more about this ghost ship, if only due to having a healthier amount of stories and cares for the whims of sea woes."
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Graxx smiles and nods at the generous offer. The barbarian walks over and looks over the cart. He doesn’t see anything of particular interest until he sees a pair of manacles dangling. He picks the up and looks at them of interest before placing them in his bag.
”Much appreciated, friend.” says Graxx genuinely.
Graxx walks over to Doozey.
”I agree master Doozey. These storms... They’ve been mentioned more and more. How much of all these occurrences are tied together? Let us make haste.”
You each find the items you sought among barrels, which are likely filled with the fancy food Gilfron mentioned. There are many other tools tossed in here but, with enough browsing, you find what you want. Doozey chooses to leave the climber's kit behind.
Regarding the storms, Gilfron tells Graxx that "the boatman did in actuality mention something other than the weather. I asked him a bit more about these rumors and he mentioned whispers of a draco-leech. I have no idea what that is, but it sounded dreadful. Worried about my boy, I only pushed a bit further before deciding to leave. The strange boatman gave me a long stare and said that there has been a plague of those with fragile minds spouting such tales of late. His words, not mine!"
Regarding the villagers, Gilfron tells Neya that "those folk can't be too bad... the boatman's island village sheltered the poor soul of a mumbling man who had wandered to the ferry stop two days ago. He said the man had seen something that has made him lose his mind. He was spouting on about "the eyes of the draco-leech" watching him wherever he goes. That gave me the creeps alright. What kind of raiders can do that to a person? Leave them weak and confused in the head? I left the strange man alone after that... Gilmont was getting scared."
The kid, Gilmont, approaches Doozey now that he is done playing with Biscuit. He accepts the offer of food on behalf of his dad, and says: "Wolves! Cool! And no dad, I wasn't getting scared! You were! When you were speeding away in the wagon's front seat, I was in the back and I even saw the boatman making a weird digging-like gesture with his hand. He was pointing to the ground with his pinkie and forefinger." The kid shows how with his own left hand.
"No, wolves are not cool, and never mind that boatman anymore. Come! it is time to go." He turns to Utar: "Thank you kind cleric. Thank you and all of your friends. We'll be careful with the axle, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't going to try to speed past those wolves and straight into town."
With that, they sort of rush into their positions in the wagon after retrieving an old horse from behind the bushes and attaching it to the vehicle. As Gilmont waves and says goodbye, his father moves ahead with haste. As they leave, you can hear the merchant cursing the heavens "Draco whatever... leeches this... wolves that..."
(OOC: Anything else before hitting the road again?)
Looking to the other members of CRAP, Utar raises an eyebrow, "I did not like how many times he said Draco-leech... Anyone else?"
Thinking on Gilmont's words about the Boatman, Utar wonders whether the motions made by the man wasn't magical in nature, and whether the damage to the wagon wasn't an accident after all...
Raising a hand to his amulet, it glows once more, casting guidance.
Arcana 17 plus 1
"What I find more concerning is that the boatman was talking about it. Could it be that 'draco-leech' is the local pronunciation of 'dracolich?' If so, how does he know about it? The village hasn't been attacked, yet!"
Extended Signature