"Theo Solas.. what a grand name." Ulfgar says "Ulfgar Trueblood, paladin of the great Goddess Sune. Let me see what you got there." He moves up next to Theo and tries to peek at the map that he pulled out. He feigns like he understands the map but he has no fricking clue. His war expertise was fighting and fighting more. He points to where Theo points and says "These caverns you say? Yes, that would be an excellent hiding spot. Have you ever been?" 

"No these are my father's maps... I seek to travel them and update them if I can. When you mentioned bandits before and now this," he offers gesturing at the rock slide. "These people aren't fighters...perfect spot to pick your target when so many are gathered, no?" Theo's eyebrow cocked he looks around the encampment. "Recent this rock slide," he asks the stout man who seems to have made himself in charge.

"Overnight," the man calls out. "Not sure if people are trapped but witness say they heard something like thunder but not quite then the slide during the storm. It's anyone's guess to nature or treachery," he adds shrugging his broad shoulders. "Dismounted you have a better chance meeting the summit," he then advises. "I've seen grisly things in those mountains that make men and horses meals," he warns.

Skip would look up to Keth and smile.Then looking to the cartographer, he would shake his head as if shaking out the negative thoughts. "May I look at those maps as well Mr. Solas?" Skip would ask while trying to take a peak at charts. "Do you think we will have problems getting our horses through those caverns?" He would ask.. looking to Solas once more.

Keth let's his companions discuss the maps with Theo and moves on to the man from the camp. He dismounts and approaches him, "Thanks for the information friend. What is the rock slide like inside? Is it completely impassable or just not so for groups? Also, what will the larger caravans do since this way is blocked for them?"

Brace looks around and first does a reaffirm of the statement by the human "So those with wagons and carts must say here until the pass is clear?  That does seem potentially dangerous for some.". He listens to Keth and asks "What do you think we should do my friend.  If we stay here in the valley we might make that merchant caravan and it's guards nervous again because we are not forced to stay.  Interesting targets here indeed.".

He thinks more then listens as Theo Solas describes the caverns and the maps.  "So Mr Solas, would you be willing to let us follow your maps into the caverns?  If you need them scouted and measured it might help to have a strong group along to help wouldn't you say?"

After listening to Solas replay, Brace turns back to the group "So should we attempt the trails to the caverns or should we try to make camp somewhere nearby?"

"You can take a look yourself. It's travelers moving the mess. We've sent a rider to the city this morning but we've yet to get a response," the stout human explains. 

Theo looks at Skip with a cocked eyebrow. 

"These maps are precious. Sorry but they stay with me. As for caverns my father hated horses so always on foot for his travels," he adds. "Best on foot I think up and over or through the caves," he adds. "Lingering here if your bandits are near is what you're doing I assume," he says. "I'm avoiding bandits however so I don't know if our tasks are aligned," he adds. "I'll part with a rough sketch however if you'd like of the mountain pass as well as the passage through," he adds.

Keth thanks the stout man again and rejoins his companions. "Thank you Theo, we appreciate your insight." Turning his head to Ulfgar, Brace and Skip, "Listen, we have two options before us. Collapsing the tunnels could have been a way to force people through the pass or it was to trap any inside to rob without outside interference."

Looking back in the direction of where the tunnels would be, "I say we find someone who is staying here to watch the mounts and head through the tunnels. If anything we come out the far side and walk the pass back."

Brace thanks Solas "Yes, please, a sketch would be very helpful.  Is there anything we can do for you before we part?"  He will listen as Solas answers

He then turns to Keth "I'm concerned that if this is a trap we will miss the action and fail to meet the bandits."  Brace turns to the others and says "I'm in favor of finding a place nearby to conceal ourselves and watch for the bandits myself but if the vote is to travel into the caves to find the bandits we can do that.  What do you all think?"

"Yeah, a sketch would be great mr. Solas" He would say with a smile before nodding to Brace. "I say we head through the tunnels as well." Skip would reply as he give Keth a pat on the shoulder. 

"To the caves" Ulfgar says as he pats the sword on his back. "Ol Faithkeeper's bound to rust out with the lack of action she's gotten. Show these bandits exactly what a real adventuring party looks like." He smugly says as nudges Solas "You know.. dwarves are good for more than just drinking and hoarding."

Brace understands that the consensus is to hunt in the caves.  "So Solas how soon can you have that sketch for us?  It sounds like our group is wanting to search the caves for bandits."

"I want you to know Brace that your idea has merit. My only concern is that there are a hundred or so people here and the bandits would look for easier prey," Keth says and looks to Ulfgar. "Ulfgar, could you take Skip and find someone who may be hanging around to watch our mounts? Brace, stay with Goodman Solas here and pay handsomely for his sketching talents while I take a look around the tunnel and pass entrances."

He gives a kind nod and moves off in search of where the tunnel meets.

Skip would let out a small laugh. "We could wait and offer to let those jerks guarding that caravan to use our horses to carry their expensive goods...For a steep fee... since it doesn't sound like their cart is going to make it around with the road being out." The boy would offer before shrugging and looking around for anyone that seemed to be setting up camp nearby that looked like they might be trustworthy enough to care for a horse for a day or so.... "I kind of wish I didn't have a horse.. big pain in the butt... I think Mr. Solas has it right." He would grumble.

"I have some copies here I thought weren't good enough to offer for sale. I'll happily part with them my friends. I just hope if the are useful that you'll tell others about my craft and have them seek me out or my work," Theo explains smiling rummaging in his left saddle bag for other rolls of parchment. "Here," he hands them on to Brace. "Good luck. I'll take Skip's advice and sell my horse on to continue on foot," he adds. "Keth I would accompany you to the caverns to at least have slightly more protection from whatever lurks up there until we must part ways," he then offers as he urges his mount forward to a makeshift general store that's been set up with a semi circle of wagons and carts.

OOC: Who's staying put? Are y'all selling up? Are you all going to scout ahead or are you making a stand in camp?

"Ya know what... Maybe I'll just sell Muffin as well... I am not much of a rider to be honest." Skip would reply a she follows beside Mr. Solas with Muffin by the reigns. After returning with some coin, he would look to his companions. "I can try to scout ahead a bit if you wanted me to... My eyes aren't great in the dark though" Skip would offer before looking back towards the other encampment. "maybe we should camp here... with others around maybe we won't have as many visitors as we had last night." He would add with a smile.

Keth seems to consider their situation. "In light of a few things, what do you all say to staying the night here in this encampment. On the morn we can then fully enter the caves and proceed. While I feel like you were a bit rash and incredibly quick in finding and negotiating a fair price for your horse Skip. I do find the logic in making back some of our money on these mounts that won't be a help in the near future."

"So, Skip could you and Ulfgar go and negotiate a fair deal for our horses ( 5 horses I believe )? When you are done come and catch up with Brace, Theo and I at the tunnels."

With that Keth nods to Theo, "Let's go take a look around, your company is much appreciated."

OOC: There's about 6 more hours of daylight if that helps.

Brace takes the makeshift maps "These will do for now, we thank you."  He puts them away.  "Skip and Ulfgar, I expect you can gain a reasonable price for old Seabiscuit.  Time to proceed on foot."

Ulfgar has created quite a bond with Beauty, his horse "The thought of selling her breaks my heart" He strokes the mare's hair. "I'm sure we could convince someone to watch her. I'll pay someone to do it. Its ok. I'm not going to sell you, girl!" Ulfgar grabs the reigns and starts walking her over to the larger area of the encampment that has set up, looking for someone who will quite possibly watch over the horse fo him.

"That is alright, you keep Beauty.. I imagine handling one horse shouldn't too hard. Let's sell the others and get going." Skip would add motioning to ulfgar to help bring the horses. Once they had all the horses,, he would make his was through the crowd and flag down any merchants that look to be interested in livestock."Hello! My name is Skip. My friend Ulfgar and I have a few horses to sell. He also has a horse he was hoping that you could look after for a day or so." The young man would say with a smile as he straightened his fine leather fast and smoothed out his white sleeves. "These animals really are exquisite... and of course we would throw in the saddles and reins. I personally rode Muffin here and I think you would be hard pressed to find a more well trained steed." He would add with a smile. "So what do you say? I think 100 gold for four well trained and able bodied horses and gear?  And then maybe we can discuss having someone watch over Beauty here for a couple days?" Skip would say as he gives Ulgars horse a nice pat.

Persuasion! 13

(OOC: So basically I was just trying to get 25 gold for each horse we are selling.. so if it ends up being 3 = 75 or 2 = 25. I was assuming we were selling 4 horses and keeping Ulfgar's based on the posts above. I also assumed the place Ulfgar was heading to find someone to watch his horse was the same place I was heading to sell the others. Let me know what I need to change in the post above that is not correct.)