Praying fervantly for Gonds guidance, Karib does his best to appear both useful and martial, mentioning his skills at both smithing and tinkering as an added bonus to any who employ him. Somehow he manages to keep his hat in place while easily vaulting into a wagon in his full armour, before hammering an errant nail out of the way. "Dangerous, those things. Kill a man as easy as a sword. Just takes longer."

Athletics: 22 + 3(!!!!)

At first, activity around Blackgate is rather slow, lending credence to Yevele's doubts. The calculations of Ontharr Frume and Leosin Erlanthar put you ahead of the Cult of the Dragon by at least a couple of days, however, giving you a brief respite and some time to enjoy the surroundings of Baldur's Gate.

The city's wealthy elite often travel the streets in screened or curtained palanquins, offering comfort and privacy among the crowded, horseless streets. You see a handful of these nobility and their retinues moving throughout the city, but two days after your arrival, the guards escorting one of them draw your attention - not because of their actions, which seem to be exactly that of a palanquin's escort, but rather their somewhat familiar faces. Sure enough, through the briefly parted curtain, the sun shines off of a set of gleaming black scales within.

The owner of this palanquin brings five new wagons to Blackgate, and their arrival is the catalyst necessary to bring waiting merchants out of the woodwork to plan a full northbound caravan. The palanquin's bodyguards come to Ackyn Selebon's yard to sell two of their wagons and purchase supplies. Throughout the afternoon, local porters pack merchandise and supplies onto these and the wagons of other merchants in the district, cover them in canvas, and lash them down. Merchants attend to their guards and bodyguards, overseeing the process and providing you with an opportunity to make your introductions, using Ackyn Selebon's reference as a hiring point.

Samir, despite his newfound confidence in his speech, struggles to strike a chord with most of the merchants. Finally, when he speaks with a female moon elf named Edhelri Lewel he is able to get somewhere. She cuts to the chase. "You're a healer? Good, I need happy and healthy horses and if you're a better healer than a talker we'll get along well. There's enough food to go around for the trip, and you'll get five gold pieces each tenday we spend on the road. Talk to Eldkin over there, she'll fill you in on taking care of the animals," she says, directing Samir to a dwarven woman directing porters around the front of her wagon.

Rogram is called upon by a young gold dwarf merchant near Selebon's shop. "Ye got dwarven blood in yer veins or I'm a rock gnome with a beer belly. That means ye've got an eye for gold, and that's what I'll be makin' from the dandies o'er in Waterdeep. Ye'll report to Leda Widris, she's got the personality of a gnome statue but she's as honest as they come and when ye make as much as I'll be makin' honesty's what ye need runnin' yer ship. Go on and make yer introduction, she'll be 'round back overseein' the loadin', and she'll be takin' care o' yer pay," he says.

Yevele catches the eye of a portly human man rather quickly. He introduces himself with an exuberant handshake. "The name's Nyerhite, Nyerhite Verther. I'm afraid the guard sergeant I hired seems to be a lout or a liar, as they haven't reported in a few days. Even if they showed up now they'd be as like to steal my Calishite silk than protect it. You seem like a no-nonsense type, strict moral code, and quite fit to fight, all qualities we'll need on the road. I can offer eight gold pieces a tenday for the role if you can keep my guards in line and keep my wagon protected 'til we unload in Waterdeep," he says.

Karib's offer comes the quickest of all, from an exuberant half-elf man with a mischievous grin. "Look, here's my situation. These folk all have something precious to transport. My wagon's full of ale and beer. Now I know what you're thinking, there's no money in hauling this swill along the road just to deposit it in Waterdeep, and you're right. That's why my stock ain't making it to Waterdeep. There's gonna be a lot of folks on this journey wantin' a nice mug of ale at the end of a day, and that's where I'm making my pay. I don't need a whole entourage, I just need a good man to watch my back and slap anyone aside that gets too frisky with the kegs. That you can make repairs is a cherry on top as far as I'm concerned. I can offer ten gold pieces a tenday as long as you can keep me safe and keep any rowdy folks in line," he says.

OOC: Pausing to give everyone a chance to respond to their prospective employers (or even turn the job down if you wish) or make further introductions.

Rogram's eyes widen, and he reflectively reaches up to palm the top of his newly bald head underneath its leather cap as the gold dwarf easily identifies his father's heritage with him. But he recovers quickly, realizing that non-magical disguises can only go so far. He nods as the dwarf makes his suggestion of a position on the caravan and mumbles a thank you before moving off to find Leda Widris. When he reaches the one who he feels best meets the description given of someone in charge with the personality of a gnome statue, he introduces himself as Rogram Smith. "I'm looking for a position on the caravan heading north," he explains. He nods sideways. "That dwarven fellow said to talk to you." While not overt about it, he tries to stand and move in a way that shows off his weapons and appears very guard-like.

OOC: Waiting to advance any further until we have responses from Karib, Samir and Yevele.

(( Mildly confused: I'm not sure Karib is looking for work on just *any* caravan...or are these all heading the same way as our targets? ))

OOC: These merchants are joining the wagons from the Cult:

"The journey northbound is arduous; merchants travel together for safety..."

"Merchants travel together, but they hire their guards independently. The common belief is that if everyone hires two or three and enough wagons travel together, a caravan has sufficient protection."

The owner of [the Cult's] palanquin brings five new wagons to Blackgate, and their arrival is the catalyst necessary to bring waiting merchants out of the woodwork to plan a full northbound caravan.

In short, these merchants are hiring/filling out their guards to make the journey northbound with the wagons that you've spotted from the Cult. Like Ackyn had mentioned, the party's best bet to follow the Cult's wagons (unless the characters decide to risk trying to work directly for the cult's wagons) is to join up with the other wagons on the caravan. Of course, the party is welcome to simply travel with the caravan and not take work with any specific merchants as well.

Sorry for any confusion, I know it was a long couple of posts with a lot of information but trying to save us from spending months of real-time in Blackgate so we can keep the story moving forward.

The brief respite in Baldur's Gate has come to a close, and the Blackgate district is a frenzy of nervous and excited activity this morning.

Yesterday, the Cult of the Dragon came to Baldur's Gate. Of course, this is only known to the Harpers, the Order of the Gauntlet, and their selected representatives waiting for their arrival. It might have been unknown to you as well were it not for the gleaming black scales spotted within a curtained palanquin making its way through the crowded narrow streets of the city toward its northern gate, where merchants gather to wait for enough wagons to make a safely guarded journey north along the dangerous road toward Neverwinter.

Within the Cult's five wagons lies the results of their looting of the villages of the Greenfields, the largest of which was a siege upon the town of Greenest. The Cult is keeping their contents hidden from view, naturally, and as they and several other merchants figure out the logistics of this newly forming caravan, two of their wagons are sold, leaving them with three wagons traveling amongst a number of others.

The moon elf Edhelri Lewel owns a wagon loaded with exotic wood. She and her bodyguard, a female shield dwarf named Eldkin, make for an odd pair, but were willing to hire the half-elf Maphira as a guard nonetheless. Blunt and impatient, Edhelri has made one thing very clear to Maphira: Her wagon and the animals pulling it are to take priority over the other people of the caravan.

Nyerhite Verther is a portly and sweaty human man promising slightly higher wages to Akira. He has placed her in command of two other guards, a surly female dwarf named Tyjit and a cherubic human woman named Orvustia who barely looks old enough to drink, let alone guard the silks Nyerhite loudly boasts of selling in Waterdeep.

Rogram has found work with Lai Angesstun, a young, ambitious, and boisterous gold dwarf. Under the command of the stoic Leda Widris, a well-built human woman with olive skin, Rogram has recently been introduced to one other under her command; the tallest human that Rogram has ever laid eyes on. At 7 feet 5 inches, "the Pole" has yet to speak a word.

Of all of the representatives of the Harpers/Order of the Gauntlet alliance to make it to this caravan, Karib has found the highest pay and the cushiest seat. His wagon, as opposed to the others who will sell at the destination, carries ale and beer that will be sold throughout the journey. Beyd Sechepol, the half-elf who owns it, needs a bodyguard to watch his back and "slap anyone aside that gets too frisky with the kegs". That Karib is an able smith is an added bonus for the diplomatic half-elf.

In addition to the seven wagons, the merchants who own them, and the guards they have hired, dozens of other travelers join the caravan as it prepares to depart Baldur's Gate. The northbound journey is full of dangers, and caravans offer them the safest way to travel the arduous Trade Way.

Your mission is clear: The Cult wagons must reach their destination safely. The Harpers and Order of the Gauntlet know the Cult is up to something, but the reasons remain unclear. Thus, learning where the Cult is taking their looted treasure is the first step in stopping them. At the same time, they must not learn that the Harpers or the Order of the Gauntlet are following them or aware of their plan. Stay hidden and watchful, learn what you can about the Cult's plan, and the Sword Coast just might stand a chance against whatever is coming.

OOC: Before the caravan gets moving, take a moment to introduce (or re-introduce) your characters to one another. Akira and Maphira are also working with Leosin Erlanthar (Harpers) and Ontharr Frume (Order of the Gauntlet). I've brought their players somewhat up to speed, but it might be good to speak what the party has learned thus far - to bring the new players more up to speed, and to be a good refresher for the existing players.

Of course, feel free to also have some interaction with the NPCs on your respective wagons, but there will be plenty of opportunities as the caravan gets underway.

Akira takes a little time to look over the guards under her command, specifically reviewing their posture, the way they are outfitted, and their state of readiness.

"Orvustia, have you traveled on a caravan such as this before?", she asks, continuing to observe both guard's expressions.

Rogram "Smith", as he's known to the caravan, is still uncomfortable with his newly shaved head — altered to help him hide what appearance the cult might remember from their invasion of the camp. But when he's around the other three "spies", he removes the leather cap — also new — from his pate. The lack of hair accentuates his ever-so-pointed ears. The half-dwarf, tall and slightly slender for a dwarf, but short and stocky for a human, still sports a beautiful full beard of black hair. Ruddy skin and green eyes finish off the half-breed's face.

"I'm still trying to get used to this axe," Rogram complains, taking a few practice swings with the weapon. Even in the short time they've spent together, Karib is used to seeing Rogram practice with his weapon during downtime. Until right before boarding the ship for Baldur's Gate, it had always been with the smith's apprentice's longsword. Rogram chose to change his weapon to help him hide in plain sight. Rogram grunts as he makes a hard, horizontal, two-handed swing. Another different between then and now was the absence of a shield. But Karib knew the shield was just packed away until Rogram no longer needed to hide.

Rogram rests his axe on his shoulder and looks at the others. "My Pa has to be in one of those three wagons," he frowns, repeating the idea once again. While filling in Maphira and Akira on what they had learned about the cult's apparent plans and movements, Rogram had focused mainly on his father's involvement. His father, a blacksmith, had been kidnapped during the cult's attack on Greenest, Rogram's hometown. A small band of adventurers including Rogram had tracked the cult to their camp and rescued a few prisoners, but his father wasn't with them. Upon returning to the camp to try to infiltrate the army, the party found the army had left. They entered the secret cave to learn what they could and rescued Karib, who was also a blacksmith and could vouch that Mathon, Rogram's father, was alive and would have gone with them when the army moved. Rogram's entire focus since the beginning has been to rescue his Pa. "I need to figure out a way to get into those wagons," the half-dwarf continues. His focus on his father and clear dependency on the elder dwarf's guidance had also kept Rogram from declaring allegiance to either the Harpers or the Order of the Gauntlet.

"Oh, me?" Orvustia asks Akira, as if there might be another Orvustia nearby. She stammers a bit, then answers, "No ma'am. To be completely honest, this will be the first time I've been more than a couple miles away from home. My family's farm is right outside of the city. My aunt thinks this trip will be good for me." Her answer receives a derisive snort from Tyjit seated nearby, as the dwarven woman sharpens the end of her spear. "I-I'm good with my bow, though, I promise. A-and my spear. I've hunted before. I'm a good shot," Orvustia says, fidgeting with her longbow.

Gazing at the Cult's wagons, Rogram sees more than one familiar face among the guards; faces that he's seen somewhere within the Cult camp or during the siege of Greenest.

Rogram can't help but smile at Maphira in response to her kind words. His eyes soften, but then look unsure. He picks up his axe and looks at it intently. "I'm glad Ackyn Selebon was able to help us find jobs with the caravan," he says, changing the subject. He laughs a nervous chuckle. "Did you see the guy I'll be working with called the Pole? I wonder if he has some Goliath blood in him." He resumes swinging the axe, practicing a number of different techniques and looking much more proficient with the weapon than he seems to think he does.

Perhaps because of the newly bristling hair on his previously-shaven head, Karib seems to have mastered the task of keeping his feathered hat attached. His broad smile conflicts with the martial appearance of his annealed black armour and matching black shield. Only the faint gold of one of the more common symbols of Gond -- a geared wheel -- breaks the unformity of his colours. The former lacquer has been updated by several days work and a few visits to a local smithy.

"We'll find him, lad" he says to Rogram. Gond grant that he not be dead when we do, he thinks as he grips his wooden staff more firmly.

He then takes in the assembled group, smiling more broadly. "A fine morning for a journey, eh? All recovered from last night?"

(( I am assuming we have met, that we know the alliances, and that we probably shared a meal the previous night, at least ))

OOC: Yes indeed, you can assume that even if introductions between player characters haven't been made (the extent of that is totally up to you all here), that you are all at the very least aware of each other and that you're all allied with the Harpers and the Order of the Gauntlet.

Long before the sun has reached its zenith, the massive caravan leaves Blackgate and Baldur's Gate behind with nearly eighty pairs of feet in total. A nervous air of excitement accompanies the onset of the journey, and jovial conversation from fellow travelers fills the road. The weather is chill, but quickly warming from the sun, and a horde of large eagles circles in the sky above.

Eldkin, Edhelri's dwarven bodyguard, doesn't hesitate to let Maphira know exactly how this caravan compares to others that she has been a part of. "Seven hunnerd 'n fifty miles at least from Baldur's Gate to Waterdeep, you know. We'd get there quicker iffen we'd left sooner, don't know why we waited so durned long. Just attracted travelers like flies, we did, waitin' as long as we did. We already gotta stop ev'ry six days to give the horses a rest, Edhelri won't let us stretch it to seven if we paid 'er in platinum; why, at the end o' last year we made it with two wagons all the way to Waterdeep, we did, we coulda done the same this time I tell ye. Coulda left Nyerhite's wagon behind, the man won't shut up about his precious silks. This is gonna take two months if it doesn't take a day, I tell ye," she rambles as the city's northern gates shrink in the distance.

The young Orvustia peppers Akira with questions early in the morning. "Where would you like me to walk, ma'am? Do you have a preferred formation? Will you be walking beside us, or do you get to ride in the wagon with Nyerhite?"

Elsewhere, the other merchants and guards travel without much remark.

Akira gives a caring smile to Orvustia. “I will expect you to coordinate with Tyjit so you are aware of each other’s positions. I will be walking alongside the wagon to keep my eyes open for any issues. I expect that would be a smart thing for you to do as well. Given our position, focus your attention periodically between your side of the wagon as well as anything happening in front or behind us.” She scans for any activity in the distance and if nothing is amiss, she will see if she can discern if her counterpart in the wagon behind them is in view.

The morning the caravan leaves Baldur's Gate, Rogram starts out feeling very hopeful, glad to be moving again. Now that they're on the move, the end feels in sight. But after only a few hours, the half-dwarf's optimism as evaporated. No matter how far they walk, the fact that the three Cult wagons remain out of reach is hard to deny. He decides to attempt to engage the Pole in conversation. He approaches the human, unconsciously rubbing his bald head through the leather cap. "We didn't get a chance to talk earlier," Rogram says. "I'm Rogram. You been with Lai Angesstun long?"

Eldkin scans the other wagons, mentally processing the faces that she's seen today. "Beyd's a regular between Baldur's Gate and Waterdeep. Clever man, that, have to wonder how much wealth he's hoardin'; stocks his wagon in the city with ale then sells it on the road at a premium. Never run with Lai over there but it'd be hard not to hear of him, or hear him for that matter, the man don't shut up about how much money he's makin'," she says to Maphira.

Coincidentally, Lai can be heard over Rogram's conversation with the Pole, boasting to Leda of the envy the other merchants will have of his profit "after I sells me perfumes to the dandies of Waterdeep". The Pole side-eyes the loud dwarf before answering Rogram in a deep voice befitting his stature. "Not Lai. Leda." Clearly a man of few words, he introduces himself in just as many. "I am Sulesdeg."

Orvustia takes in her orders from Akira, nodding resolutely and following the dragonborn's gaze to the wagon behind them, to the road ahead of them, and to the sky. The young woman brushes her blonde hair from her face and shields her eyes from the sun, letting out a low whistle, "Those eagles sure are a pretty sight. Do you think that's a good omen for a journey like this?"

For Akira:

Rogram turns to look at Lai and Leda and then back at Sulesdeg. He can't help but smile a small smile of congratulation, feeling a little proud of himself for getting the quiet human to speak. He nods in understanding. "What kind of sergeant is Leda, then? I have to admit, I've only been on two caravans previously. One to Baldur's Gate and then one returning to the Gr— ... well, returning home." The half-dwarf's small smile immediately evaporates as he almost says "the Greenfields." His eyes drop to the road, and he silently berates himself, pausing his speech for a little too long before continuing and hoping the Pole didn't catch anything. "Anyway, we didn't really have a sergeant. There were just a bunch of us guarding the wagon. Luckily, we didn't run into any trouble." Rogram pauses again, this time to rack his memories. What had happened to the wagon after he ran down the hill toward Greenest? The town had been under siege, and he had just left the wagon driver to fend for themselves. Had it been captured by the cult? Had it turned around and returned to Baldur's Gate? The crunch, crunch, crunch of the rocks under Rogram's feet goes unnoticed as he begins running scenario after scenario through his imagination.

“Orvustia - move Nyerhite to cover and protect.”

 “Tyjit - get cover and prepare for combat.”

Akira calls out to the wagons in front and behind - “Incoming perytons. Prepare for hostiles - let the other wagons know”, she exclaims in each direction, resuming her gaze toward the creatures, readying a fire bolt if they appear to be on descent.

Hearing the warning of an attack, Rogram looks around for danger. "Where?" he asks no one in particular. "Where?"