"Your dedication to the caravan's safety - and discretion - are both appreciated, Mister Gordon. I'm willing to join any of the others here that plan on carrying out your request."
"Goblins," Zan says and then spits at the ground, "They're like cockroaches, no matter how many you kill they always pop back up somewhere." He rests his hand o. His sword, looks at his friend and says, "Dont worry, I got your back."
“Very well then.” He takes out five sacks filled with coins and passes them to each of you. “If it’s okay with you, I’d like you to ride at dawn. I don’t mind lending you horses if you need them.”
"I could use a horse." Morgan says with a nod as he takes the bag. "There is no problem on my side from riding at dawn." He nods to the others and then heads out, waiting outside for his halfling companion to come out as well. "You good with this?" He asks once Tenra comes out.
Nabhitha steps forward to accept her satchel of coins as she hears Zanilin's comment behind her. She turns back to him and smirks. "Our hero, truly. I agree with Esedus, Mister Smith. So long as you're offering, it'd be in both of our best interests to take some horses when we leave. Otherwise, consider your concerns put to rest."
Whenever the group has exited the tent, Nabhitha walks beside Zanilin on the way back to their own corner of the campsite. "You know I'm not one to warn against entrepreneurship, 'Z', but remember that it's usually better to get as many details about the job - and convince the employer to be as accommodating as possible - before pointing out that 'risking your life' for free seems a bit unreasonable. On the bright side, Mister Smith isn't any kind of bastard as far as I've noticed, so the point is moot."
Realizing how this probably sounds if anyone's listening, she changes the tone of their conversation. "I really need to write these rules down, one day. Which one was this? I seem to remember it being number 4 or 5..." She trails off, looking to Zanilin with a raised eyebrow, hoping to bait him into some banter that holds more humor than business.
"Right, the rules," Zan replies while making finger quotes in the air. "To remind you rule 4 was 'know your employer' and 'request payment upfront' then again I recall it being 'keep your knees bent when jumping off a moving carriage.' I'm starting to think you may just have memory issues," he finishes showing concern before busting into a smile and chuckling.
"You two should think more about the good you can do, rather than how much money you can squeeze. There is nothing wrong with being paid for your service, but balance is important. You have the skills to right many wrongs, so it is your duty to do so," Esedus cuts in earnestly.
Tenra quickly jumped to her feet and hurried to follow the group as quickly as her little legs would. Unfortunately the enthusiasm of a halfling doesn't make up for their shorter steps. Upon arriving at Master Smith's and listening, she nods as she tries to take in the information.
"Ooh, goblins!" Tenra says with a stage whisper, as they aren't meant to be shouting this out to the world. "I've not met them yet." As she follows the group out, she leans her arms behind her head. "I've never had a pet falcon." She mentions. "I wonder what having a pet like that would be like." She points over to where her pack is, beneath the seat she abandoned a moment ago. "I'm just gonna grab my stuff!" She mentions, collecting the bits she might need for the adventure. "Umm, would anyone mind me riding with them? I've never been on a horse before." She asks.
(Sorry, was unavailable this weekend. Missed out on the mission briefing. Just for future note, I usually have one weekend a month I'm unavailable.)
"Yay! Thank you, Morgan." The bouncy halfling gives the hobgoblin's leg a hug. "You're the best." She goes to follow Morgan so they can ride together, horses are a little big for halflings.
Nabhitha chuckles at Zanilin's comment, glad that the "correction" was taken in stride. "It's not my fault that the world keeps putting me in situations I had yet to make rules to handle. Besides, aren't you supposed to be writing them down for both of us?"She would have continued if Esedus hadn't taken that moment to appear between the two of them, doing his best to proselytize without being completely obtuse.
Nabhtiha doesn't respond immediately, taking a pause before doing so that some of the party - Zanilin, at the very least - would recognize as fairly common practice when she talks with Esedus. Her words are often chosen more carefully around the Paladin, whether he's noticed or not. "As I've said before, Esedus, you truly are a rarity, nowadays. I think I speak for all of us when I say your dedication to doing what's right and, especially, what's just is refreshing, if not inspiring. While I appreciate your reminders, I assure you, I had nor have any intention of gauging Mister Smith for anything more than we were given. He is a man of not-insignificant means who wants a task that not everyone can do to be done in a manner that requires a degree of discretion. Asking us, a group of "professionals" as I'll put it, to go out of our way into harm's embrace and to do so without the opportunity for others to know of the act, steps slightly out of the realm of just asking to "do our duty" or "defend ourselves and others", wouldn't you agree?"
Having said her piece, she steps closer to the righteous warrior with a gentler look in her eyes, but not breaking eye contact. "Remember, Esedus, that I am not a monster. I just focus on the day-to-day a bit more than you do. Goodwill and a strong moral fiber won't replace your armor if you lose a chunk of it and whatever limb it covers. "Balance", after all, has to come from both ends of this spectrum we're both on, right?"
Should the group reach the horses by this point, she'll mount and take a position between Zanilin and Esedus whenever they begin to ride forward. "Morgan, be sure to keep Tenra from hopping off your horse to chase after anything furrier than a log. We're on the clock, now."This would be followed by a purposeful wink at the bubbly little halfling joining their scholarly hobgoblin on his steed.
"We're on horses, not clocks, silly." Tenra playfully sticks her tongue out at Nabhtiha. With a hand up, the little halfling sits on the back of the horse, lightly cuddling onto the imposing hobgoblin's waist for support. She then holds up a hand, with her middle and index finger outstretched. "Pew-pew!" She whispers to herself as she looks around the area.
Question for the DM: just checking how starry the night is. Tenra doesn't have darkvision like most races, so might have trouble seeing without casting light, which she probably wouldn't do unless they get into the thick of it.
"You know, you probably could have talked him into a mastiff if you wanted your own mount." Morgan tells the halfling with a glance over his shoulder. "I don't mind, but this probably won't be too comfortable for you..."
Esedus looks satisfied with Nabhtiha response as he walks beside him, "Fair enough, but don't be too comfortable with your claim about not being a monster. Monstrous things can dwell inside even the most unassuming and virtuous facade."
Esedus looks satisfied with Nabhtiha response as he walks beside him, "Fair enough, but don't be too comfortable with your claim about not being a monster. Monstrous things can dwell inside even the most unassuming and virtuous facade."
Something about this particular comment seems to hit Nabhitha's ear differently than the rest. Her face falls for little more than a second but during that second her expression seems angry, certainly, but more defensive than anything else. The moment passes almost immediately, though Nabhitha's casual tone seems tenser than before. "I'm well aware, Esedus. Your concern is touching." She returns her gaze to the road ahead as she says this and allows her horse to fall behind Esedus and Zanilin slightly, seeming to prefer bearing witness to Tenra's antics and joining Morgan in his quiet watch of their surroundings.
She seems more than content to let that line of conversation end, though Zanilin would likely note - and be the only one to really do so - that there aren't too many topics that elicit that kind of reaction from her.
Zan rode his horse lazily behind the others or at least that's what he appeared to be doing. Really, he was watching and listening to the others as he rode behind mentally making assessments of each. The moment the comment about monsters within people cause Zan to stop his horse unknowingly. He stared dumbfoundely for a few moments before shaking out of it. He urged the horse forward to catch up with the others and glared daggers at Esedus from behind. He then shook his head and brought out his lack attitude.
"Onwards!" Tenra cheerfully tells Morgan as they head off together. She happily hums a simple tune to herself, something she learnt a long time ago from her upbringing at the monastery, but doesn't sing. She bobs her head lightly as she enjoys the night ride with her friends, occasionally looking out under the cover of the twilight above them to see if there are any signs of goblins about.
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"If these goblins are preying upon travellers it would be only right to step in," Esedus says, looking to the rest of the group.
"Your dedication to the caravan's safety - and discretion - are both appreciated, Mister Gordon. I'm willing to join any of the others here that plan on carrying out your request."
"Goblins," Zan says and then spits at the ground, "They're like cockroaches, no matter how many you kill they always pop back up somewhere." He rests his hand o. His sword, looks at his friend and says, "Dont worry, I got your back."
“Very well then.” He takes out five sacks filled with coins and passes them to each of you. “If it’s okay with you, I’d like you to ride at dawn. I don’t mind lending you horses if you need them.”
(Alright, you can each add 25gp to your sheet.)
Merlok Aqurous - Triton Storm Magic Sorcerer 3 - Ascent from Theros
DM - Heroes of Wildemount
"I could use a horse." Morgan says with a nod as he takes the bag. "There is no problem on my side from riding at dawn." He nods to the others and then heads out, waiting outside for his halfling companion to come out as well. "You good with this?" He asks once Tenra comes out.
Esedus tucks the coin away in a pouch.
"Horses would be appreciated, we will want to make sure we are well in front of the caravan if we encounter the goblins."
Nabhitha steps forward to accept her satchel of coins as she hears Zanilin's comment behind her. She turns back to him and smirks. "Our hero, truly. I agree with Esedus, Mister Smith. So long as you're offering, it'd be in both of our best interests to take some horses when we leave. Otherwise, consider your concerns put to rest."
Whenever the group has exited the tent, Nabhitha walks beside Zanilin on the way back to their own corner of the campsite. "You know I'm not one to warn against entrepreneurship, 'Z', but remember that it's usually better to get as many details about the job - and convince the employer to be as accommodating as possible - before pointing out that 'risking your life' for free seems a bit unreasonable. On the bright side, Mister Smith isn't any kind of bastard as far as I've noticed, so the point is moot."
Realizing how this probably sounds if anyone's listening, she changes the tone of their conversation. "I really need to write these rules down, one day. Which one was this? I seem to remember it being number 4 or 5..." She trails off, looking to Zanilin with a raised eyebrow, hoping to bait him into some banter that holds more humor than business.
"Right, the rules," Zan replies while making finger quotes in the air. "To remind you rule 4 was 'know your employer' and 'request payment upfront' then again I recall it being 'keep your knees bent when jumping off a moving carriage.' I'm starting to think you may just have memory issues," he finishes showing concern before busting into a smile and chuckling.
"You two should think more about the good you can do, rather than how much money you can squeeze. There is nothing wrong with being paid for your service, but balance is important. You have the skills to right many wrongs, so it is your duty to do so," Esedus cuts in earnestly.
Tenra quickly jumped to her feet and hurried to follow the group as quickly as her little legs would. Unfortunately the enthusiasm of a halfling doesn't make up for their shorter steps. Upon arriving at Master Smith's and listening, she nods as she tries to take in the information.
"Ooh, goblins!" Tenra says with a stage whisper, as they aren't meant to be shouting this out to the world. "I've not met them yet." As she follows the group out, she leans her arms behind her head. "I've never had a pet falcon." She mentions. "I wonder what having a pet like that would be like." She points over to where her pack is, beneath the seat she abandoned a moment ago. "I'm just gonna grab my stuff!" She mentions, collecting the bits she might need for the adventure. "Umm, would anyone mind me riding with them? I've never been on a horse before." She asks.
(Sorry, was unavailable this weekend. Missed out on the mission briefing. Just for future note, I usually have one weekend a month I'm unavailable.)
"You can ride with me..." Morgan says with a nod to Tenra.
"Yay! Thank you, Morgan." The bouncy halfling gives the hobgoblin's leg a hug. "You're the best." She goes to follow Morgan so they can ride together, horses are a little big for halflings.
Nabhitha chuckles at Zanilin's comment, glad that the "correction" was taken in stride. "It's not my fault that the world keeps putting me in situations I had yet to make rules to handle. Besides, aren't you supposed to be writing them down for both of us?" She would have continued if Esedus hadn't taken that moment to appear between the two of them, doing his best to proselytize without being completely obtuse.
Nabhtiha doesn't respond immediately, taking a pause before doing so that some of the party - Zanilin, at the very least - would recognize as fairly common practice when she talks with Esedus. Her words are often chosen more carefully around the Paladin, whether he's noticed or not. "As I've said before, Esedus, you truly are a rarity, nowadays. I think I speak for all of us when I say your dedication to doing what's right and, especially, what's just is refreshing, if not inspiring. While I appreciate your reminders, I assure you, I had nor have any intention of gauging Mister Smith for anything more than we were given. He is a man of not-insignificant means who wants a task that not everyone can do to be done in a manner that requires a degree of discretion. Asking us, a group of "professionals" as I'll put it, to go out of our way into harm's embrace and to do so without the opportunity for others to know of the act, steps slightly out of the realm of just asking to "do our duty" or "defend ourselves and others", wouldn't you agree?"
Having said her piece, she steps closer to the righteous warrior with a gentler look in her eyes, but not breaking eye contact. "Remember, Esedus, that I am not a monster. I just focus on the day-to-day a bit more than you do. Goodwill and a strong moral fiber won't replace your armor if you lose a chunk of it and whatever limb it covers. "Balance", after all, has to come from both ends of this spectrum we're both on, right?"
Should the group reach the horses by this point, she'll mount and take a position between Zanilin and Esedus whenever they begin to ride forward. "Morgan, be sure to keep Tenra from hopping off your horse to chase after anything furrier than a log. We're on the clock, now." This would be followed by a purposeful wink at the bubbly little halfling joining their scholarly hobgoblin on his steed.
"We're on horses, not clocks, silly." Tenra playfully sticks her tongue out at Nabhtiha. With a hand up, the little halfling sits on the back of the horse, lightly cuddling onto the imposing hobgoblin's waist for support. She then holds up a hand, with her middle and index finger outstretched. "Pew-pew!" She whispers to herself as she looks around the area.
Question for the DM: just checking how starry the night is. Tenra doesn't have darkvision like most races, so might have trouble seeing without casting light, which she probably wouldn't do unless they get into the thick of it.
"You know, you probably could have talked him into a mastiff if you wanted your own mount." Morgan tells the halfling with a glance over his shoulder. "I don't mind, but this probably won't be too comfortable for you..."
"But then I wouldn't get to ride with my bestest buddy!" Tenra looks to Morgan with big puppy-dog eyes.
Esedus looks satisfied with Nabhtiha response as he walks beside him, "Fair enough, but don't be too comfortable with your claim about not being a monster. Monstrous things can dwell inside even the most unassuming and virtuous facade."
Something about this particular comment seems to hit Nabhitha's ear differently than the rest. Her face falls for little more than a second but during that second her expression seems angry, certainly, but more defensive than anything else. The moment passes almost immediately, though Nabhitha's casual tone seems tenser than before. "I'm well aware, Esedus. Your concern is touching." She returns her gaze to the road ahead as she says this and allows her horse to fall behind Esedus and Zanilin slightly, seeming to prefer bearing witness to Tenra's antics and joining Morgan in his quiet watch of their surroundings.
She seems more than content to let that line of conversation end, though Zanilin would likely note - and be the only one to really do so - that there aren't too many topics that elicit that kind of reaction from her.
Zan rode his horse lazily behind the others or at least that's what he appeared to be doing. Really, he was watching and listening to the others as he rode behind mentally making assessments of each. The moment the comment about monsters within people cause Zan to stop his horse unknowingly. He stared dumbfoundely for a few moments before shaking out of it. He urged the horse forward to catch up with the others and glared daggers at Esedus from behind. He then shook his head and brought out his lack attitude.
"Onwards!" Tenra cheerfully tells Morgan as they head off together. She happily hums a simple tune to herself, something she learnt a long time ago from her upbringing at the monastery, but doesn't sing. She bobs her head lightly as she enjoys the night ride with her friends, occasionally looking out under the cover of the twilight above them to see if there are any signs of goblins about.