Karib gives silent thanks for Gond when it seems that Rogram has regained a little composure. He bows slightly to the judge before following the others out.

When Merric relays the news, he nods vigorously, adding. "Something feels wrong with that lot. The 'judge' and the guard were all heavily armored. Need to keep close watches and circle the wagons: Pretty sure that they mean us ill, though it may just be a way of life for them -- not directed at us specifically."

He then sets about trying to get the wagons circled and the horses fed, especially his new charge.

"How noble," Edhelri spits in Elvish.

Lai grumbles, "We should just be moving on. To the hells with this lot. What good's a meal gonna do in this weather anyway?"

"Lai, my friend, if you want to be the one to explain to all these weary travelers that they aren't getting a warm night or a hot meal, then be our guest," Beyd chuckles, already gathering Karib to guard the distribution of ale for the night.

The rain continue at a steady pace, and though many travelers on the caravan mumble complaints about the situation, the smells of fresh bread and freshly cooked stews lighten the mood as food is brought out from the roadside inn's kitchens - that is, until the judge appears in the doorway. "Hey, elf! How's the weather treating you, huh? You filthy rogue! I hope these poor folks don't freeze to death tonight because of your actions!" he shouts.

As evening turns to night, the judge's companions continue to goad and needle through open windows.

"It sure is warm and dry in here!"

"Enjoy the weather!"

"Hey, sleep tight out there! We sure will in here!"

Near Nyerhite's wagon, Tyjit fumes, her dwarven muscles twitching with each insult. "Someone ought to skewer 'em and roast 'em over their durned precious little fire," she growls, her hands fidgeting with the spear at the loop of her belt.

Eating his bowl with Karib, Rogram scowls at the judge's comments toward Merric. "So he did charm him, I guess," he observes, finally believing Jamir. "Here I thought the jerk had a change of heart. I should have wrung his neck when I had the chance." He rips a big chunk off his bread with his teeth and looks around to see if he can see Merric's response.

Karib laughs and nods to Rogram. He takes another mouthful of food before continuing. "The inn keeper might easily have died and then we might not have had a warm meal."

Rogram furrows his brow again. "I wouldn't have let that happen," he says confidently. The half-dwarf sighs, feeling deflated in the aftermath of getting excited about staying inside and then having that dream squashed. He looks around again and leans in close to the human. "Are we doing what we're supposed to be doing? I feel like everything is just slipping by." He looks over at the cult's wagons. "He's got to be in there. I just know he is."

Akira says in a mischievous voice, “I wonder if they would be so inclined to love that space if they noticed track of a large rat in the dining area.”

Merric simply looks up at Rogram’s comments and shrugs “I can be quite persuasive when necessary” he frowns and adds “but I should have done a better job accounting for his friends.  It was almost like Jamir was really in charge.  Pay no attention to their words, but Karib is right, we should keep a close watch tonight.”  He looks over at the stables “Maybe later I will check out their mounts for more information, they must be up to something to reserve the whole inn.  Or maybe they are just pretentious arses.”

He leans in as Rogram looks over at the cults wagons “Who has to be in there? Do you know what they are carrying?”

“I wonder if they would be so inclined to love that space if they noticed track of a large rat in the dining area.”

Karib laughs, I'd be more curious what such a creature might learn of their true purpose."

Turning to Rogram he frowns and speaks very quietly, "Do you really think he'd be on these wagons? I think he's likely far ahead by now."

"As to what we are doing...these wagons are the way we get there."

Though most of the guards and merchants seem to have shrugged off the situation, the same cannot be said for Tyjit, Nyerhite's dwarven guard. She clenches and unclenches her fist with each insult thrown out the inn's openings, and adds no words to the conversations occurring throughout the evening. While the caravan settles in for another night of cold, wet sleep, she stands up.

"That's it. If nobody else is gonna teach 'em their manners, then I will. I'll feed 'em their own durned tongues!" she says, storming toward the inn with spear in hand.

Akira calmly calls to Tyjit: “While we are cold and injustice seems to be at play, we cannot simply resort to barbarism.”

She joins Tyjita, puts a hand out as to infer calm, and says, “Perhaps a different voice might give them reason to rethink.”

Akira then focuses on the area beyond the doors and casts Minor Illusion, initiating a voice calling loudly and frantically, “The rats are loose in the kitchen!”

Rogram gives Karib a look that is almost enough to break the man's heart. "My Pa," the half-dwarf says with great sorrow to Merric while pleading with Karib. "Do you really think he's not here? I was so sure we were close again." He looks back at the cult's wagons, his entire demeanor deflating even further than it had been previously. He sighs heavily.

Karib bows his head, "I don't know lad. I truly don't. But it has been a long time since they went north."

After a few moments he adds, "Though I doubt it will give a clear answer .. such things are only new to me ... I will ask Gond in the morning for insight."

He looks around at the others scattered throughout the camp then back to Rogram, still speaking in hushed tones, "One thing is clear though: there's some good people all working toward defeating the people who have him."

Tyjit bristles, but relents. Wiping rain from her face, she looks toward the inn once more, then grumbles, "Sorry, boss. I just can't tolerate bullying. Yer right though. Let's just get this night over with and be on with it."

Whether it be Akira's arcane trickery or the late hour, the taunting from the inn subsides. Another wet and miserable night in the cold rain passes by, somehow made even worse than the night before by the sight of a warm and comfortable roadside inn dangling so close by. Though the cold lingers, the rain lets up in the early hours of the morning.

A few of the animals struggle in the morning to get moving (as do some of the caravan's guards and travelers), but the delay to the morning is only minor. The caravan is ready to move again within a couple hours of the sun's rise.

OOC: Each character has received 300 XP for resolving the situation at the roadside inn peacefully - or as peacefully as feasible.

Characters have also gained the benefits of a long rest. Feel free to add any RP or additional actions for the morning, between sunrise and the caravan's readiness to move forward.

Karib wakes early the next day. He stokes the fire and starts his regular morning rituals, praying for Gond's aid and blessings.

When he is done, he lays out his tools and focuses on the fire seemingly lost in thought, though occasionally he can be heard chanting under his breath. He moves little, and as he sits in front of the fire the flames seem to flicker and move becoming more and less intense with each heart beat. Sweat drips off his brow despite the cold air, and after several minutes he draws a deep breath. Uppermost in his mind is the question, "If Rogram becomes invisible and his stealth is enhanced and he searches the camp while everyone makes ready, will he find his father?"

When he is done he stows his tools, stands and walks over to Rogram...

“Your Father? They have taken him, how long ago? And why?”  Merric takes another glance at the wagons that Rogram is looking toward and hesitates before continuing “My lord has heard rumors of this group, strange stories spread upon the wind.  I was sent to find this caravan to find out more about them and their plans.”

He places a hand on Rogram’s shoulder “I will do all I can to help you find your father. Together maybe we can find out what this group is doing.”

Akira wakes, preps, and joins the team at the fire. Listening to conversation about looking for his father, Akira pipes in, “I feel like we could use my familiar to do some less risky reconnaissance work. An owl will be less noticeable than a man shaped creature. Do you have a picture or description of your father?”

For Karib:

Rogram looks gratefully at Merric, but the half-dwarf is still clearly troubled. "The cult attacked my home, Greenest. Among those who were taken captive was my Pa. He is a blacksmith. We rescued some of the captives, but my Pa wasn't with them. When we went back, the camp was abandoned. We found Karib, and he had been with my Pa, but they separated them, and now I'm trying to find him. I thought he'd be on one of the wagons." He looks back at Karib. "I guess it has been a little while," he concedes.

The next morning, when Akira joins them, Rogram seems less downcast and more calculating. "That's an interesting idea," he says to the dragonborn in response to the suggestion of using her owl. "He's, well, he's a dwarf. Shorter than me, but bigger." He holds his arms out at his sides to indicate even more muscles than the half-dwarf is already sporting. "Not much hair on top. Long, dark beard with some gray." He indicates the middle of his chest. "Oh, he's got a scar on the back of his head," he says, running a finger a pretty good length down the back of his own head. He smiles a small smile. "He always blames my mom for it. Says she gave it to him after some boneheaded scheme of his." Rogram goes silent, and his eyes stare at nothing as he appears to be replaying some memory or another. "She always acted disapproving when he said that," he finally says quietly, "but she never denied it." He finally returns to the moment, and looks at Akira. "Is that enough of a description?"

Akira nods, "Should be enough to hopefully get a bead. About how far ahead in the caravan are they? I will only be able to communicate up to 100 feet or so." 

If anything Karib seems relieved after his ritual, though when he looks at Rogram his expression is full of regret.

He also feels a tinge of guilt at his relief, for he has little doubt that if Rogram's father were present then nothing would stop the headstrong half-dwarf from immediately attempting a rescue, and that would almost certainly be bad for their longer term plans.

He nods to Merric then focuses his attention on Rogram "Don't get your hopes up lad. The ways of the gods are unclear, but if I read the augury correctly, any exploration will likely not produce the result you hope for." Then he seems to deflate a little, "But I'm new to this and could be wrong."

With a glance at Merric he adds, "Listening in and keeping a watch on them is a wise plan, if the owl can go unnoticed."