OOC: Waiting one more time for Merric's response to the last post just in case he wants to act on it and then I will move us past this event (or if we just don't hear anything). Akira doesn't see any immediate threats to the caravan through her familiar's eyes but will continue that description in the next post.
Merric watches the others continue away from the camp, despite his attempts to discourage them and turns to Karib and the others. “Perhaps, but maybe we can use this as a diversion of our own. Do you still want to check out those wagons? If not by owl, maybe we can get a closer look ourselves?” He looks over at the guards “But it doesn’t look they are as interested in the stag as the others are.”
Karib nods, "Under the guise of helping circle the wagons and securing the horses you might help them with their wagons?" He assesses the circle, "Perhaps one of the wagons nearest them needs to move back a little, eh? That would mean a little adjustment was needed."
Though a few people are persuaded to stay back from hunting the golden stag from the party's words of caution, most are too enticed by the possibility of riches and rush to be the first to fell the magnificent beast.
"I appreciate your caution," Edhelri tells Merric, noting that he typically joins the hunters when the caravan rests. "I echo Edhelri's sentiment, my dear Akira," Nyerhite bellows from nearby. "I'm sure its pelt will be worth it to whoever finds the poor creature, but we carry more than enough silk to make up for it."
The deer on the hillside scatter, only a couple falling to archer's arrows before the threat is recognized. The golden stag leaps into the nearby forest, leading the voracious hunters on a chase that yields no fruit. After a few hours, though most of them have plenty of fanciful stories of sightings and near-misses, the hunters return with no more than the usual amount of fresh meat, and no golden pelt in sight.
OOC: Each character has received 300 XP for their indirect role in the event.
I'll pause before continuing forward because more scouting and sneaking has been discussed but not acted upon. If nobody would like to act on that during this evening's events, I will move us forward.
After much of the hubbub has died down following the return of the hunters, and Rogram has finished his chores, he approaches Akira and asks if she could send her owl to see if it can get any idea of what is in the cult's wagons.
At Akira’s warning, Merric moves closer in order to provide some additional protection and cover as she loses control of her senses. He watches closely as the others return to camp and whispers to Rogram. “What if he is not with the wagons? What will you do then?”
Rogram blinks at Merric, then tilts his head a little and sighs. "I suppose I'll just continue north. Wherever this caravan is headed, that must be where he is." He pauses, then adds as if reassuring himself. "Has to be." He looks toward the cult's wagons for the owl.
Merric places a reassuring hand on Rogram’s shoulder. “Don’t worry, my aim is to find out where those wagons are going and why. If not here, we will find some news or sign of your father then.” Merric glances from the returning hunters and looks toward the cultist’s wagons, looking to see if the guards have noticed anything.
Looking through her familiar's eyes, Akira begins to get a sense of these assumed cult wagons' mode of operation. Each wagon seems to have two people assigned to it: One a teamster in charge of the animals and direction, and the other a guard outfitted much the same as the guards on any of the other wagons. Neither leaves their charge throughout the evening, relying on travelers in the caravan to bring them any offers of food or ale, and otherwise relying only on dry rations in their own packs.
It is a rather boring time to keep an eye on their procedures, but as night falls and the guards move into their wagons for their night's watch and rest, the keen eye of Akira's familiar is able to catch a full glimpse of the innards of these carts; unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on one's viewpoint) there are no dwarves or other humanoids within the wagons. Whatever their merchandise is, it is crated and locked down, but the backs of these wagons are full of it, leaving barely enough room for one Medium-sized creature to fit alongside. With each crate covered, it is impossible for Akira to see their contents, but as luck would have it, an opportunity would present itself the following day.
The caravan sets off in the 8th morning of travel to warmer weather; most of the travelers seem more content knowing that they are the ones now out of the Fields of the Dead, passing by nervous folk on the roadside that are now the ones heading into them. In the quiet afternoon, the lightfoot halfling driving Nyerhite's wagonload of silk leads the caravan to a rest, using the opportunity to converse with Akira. "I don't believe we've been properly introduced! Losvius Longnose, at your service," he says. The halfling seems to be appropriately named, with a nose respectably large, even for a halfling. "I hope you don't mind but I noticed the other day that orb that you carry in your pack. What brings you north of Baldur's Gate? Most wizardy types like yourself'd be traveling the opposite direction toward Candlekeep, least what I've seen."
After Akira answers, Losvius's response is interrupted by a loud crash and commotion behind them - A call of "Whoa, whoa, whoa!" is followed by the frantic braying of horses. One of the cult's assumed wagons has overturned, spilling crates of merchandise out onto the road. One wheel lies shattered from striking a nearby rock, and one of the crates that tumbled from the wagon smashes open, revealing dozens of beautiful items of jewelry wrapped in wool for protection.
As Akria relays what she sees through her owl's eyes, Rogram is visibly defeated. His father isn't in one of the wagons. He was so sure! Well, at least they're on their way to catch up to him. He'll just have to be patient. After she returns to her own sense, the half-dwarf thanks Akira for her aid, trying to appear grateful and not so disappointed. "By the way," he says curiously, lowering his voice even more, "which faction are you with?" he asks the dragonborn. After her answer, he looks at Merric and asks the same question. He tells them that he hasn't chosen a faction yet because the only one he has any experience with is the Lords' Alliance, and they don't seem to have a stake in this fight. "Ontharr really wanted me to choose between the Harpers and the Order of the Gauntlet. I don't really know that much about them, so I'm afraid to choose either of them."
The next day, after the caravan halts in response to the cult's wagon overturning, Rogram cranes his neck to try to see what happened. When he sees that there's trouble, he looks at Leda. "I'm going to go see if I can help." (Unless she protests ...) He walks down the edge of the road toward the wagon, but stops when he sees the busted crate and the sparkling cargo. He immediately feels scared to get any closer for fear of retaliation by the cult. He tries to catch the eye of one of the attendants and raises his voice to ask, "Can I help?"
“Not to worry, we will find your answers soon enough” Merric tries to reassure Rogram at the news from Akira’s owl. As Rogram asks about his faction, Merric cocks his head and replies “I serve my king, the ruler of the Misty Forest. Though at times he is known to have connections with the both Emerald Enclave and the Lord’s Alliance I do not know if this is one of them.” He listens closely to Akira’s answer as well.
The next day, as the wagon is overturned and the cultist’s goods exposed, Merric is slightly disappointed. “Jewelry? I thought this group was more than just common thieves” he whispered to the others. He looks on closely as Rogram approaches the wagons, ready to help in any way he can if there is trouble.
The guard nearest the overturned cargo snaps his head up at Rogram, fuming at the situation. He stares tersely at the dwarf for a few seconds of silence. "Grab a crate," he says, jerking his head toward the other overturned - but intact - crates as he rushes to pack the spilled jewelry away. The other guards shoo away any help, clearly irritated about the spilled merchandise, but one particular halfling doesn't seem to be getting the hint.
"Aha, you know I'd been wondering what you folks were hauling! Working for a jewelry merchant out of Waterdeep then, I take it?" Losvius Longnose asks a guard, approaching from the lead wagon.
"Mind your own," the guard grumbles. "That treasure ain't for you." At the word "treasure", the other guards snap their head in his direction.
"Treasure, you say, not merchandise, that's an interesting choice of word. Ah! You're adventurers then, or working for a group? Must be a powerful one to be selling off that much for them. An adventuring group working out of Baldur's Gate, could that be...ooh! Don't tell me...could it be the Phantoms? The Ravenhands?"
After only a grunt from the guard, Losvius continues, seemingly oblivious to the escalating irritation he is causing. "Do you need a hand there, friends? These jewels are quite the sight but prying eyes and all that," he says, chuckling.
"We've got it under control, old timer. No need for your help, and certainly no need for your...prying eyes," the guard replies tersely. The other guards have stopped their own work at this point, shifting eyes between Rogram's help and the conversation with Losvius.
Unaware of the mounting tension, the halfling continues, "Are you sure? It's no trouble, I'm stronger than I look--"
"You'd best step back before you find yourself in trouble," the guard interrupts. "This cargo is none of your concern. Understand?"
Losvius throws his hands up and chuckles, stepping back. "Of course, of course! Just admiring from a distance, no need for any trouble," he says.
Rogram does as the guard instructs, moving toward one of the crates. He slows his work as the halfling begins teasing the hornet's nest. The half-dwarf's eyes dart between the guards and Losvius. Will he step in if things get violent? Does he dare chance getting on the cult's bad side when he might need his reputation with them to help find his father in the end? He's thankful when Losvius finally backs off. Stepping up his speed, Rogram finishes helping the guards pick up the crates. He steps back, puts his hands on his hips, and scrutinizes the wheel. "Do you have an extra?" he asks.
Rogram can't help but grin. "As it turns out, I'm a smith's apprentice." As soon as he says it, he immediately regrets the revelation. He tries to hide what he's pretty sure was a look of shock that flashed across his features.
"Sure, sure," Rogram says, playing it cool. "Glad to help." As the guard moves away, the half-dwarf silently berates himself. He bends down and inspects the axle and broken wheel. After a few moments, he stops. He has no tools. What is he supposed to do? Hit it with his axe? Viciously mock it back together? He straightens up, once again silently berating himself. Putting a hand on the back of his neck, Rogram clears his throat. "You, er, wouldn't happen to have any tools, would you?" he asks the guards in general fairly sheepishly. "I didn't think I was going to need them when I left home."
Karib cocks and eyebrow at Rogram's admission, then turns to his boss. "Not sure I like the look of that lot," he says. After a time his gaze returns to Rogram, as he mutters under his breath. "May Gond guide him."
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OOC: Waiting one more time for Merric's response to the last post just in case he wants to act on it and then I will move us past this event (or if we just don't hear anything). Akira doesn't see any immediate threats to the caravan through her familiar's eyes but will continue that description in the next post.
See my profile for all my PbP threads!
Merric watches the others continue away from the camp, despite his attempts to discourage them and turns to Karib and the others. “Perhaps, but maybe we can use this as a diversion of our own. Do you still want to check out those wagons? If not by owl, maybe we can get a closer look ourselves?” He looks over at the guards “But it doesn’t look they are as interested in the stag as the others are.”
Karib nods, "Under the guise of helping circle the wagons and securing the horses you might help them with their wagons?" He assesses the circle, "Perhaps one of the wagons nearest them needs to move back a little, eh? That would mean a little adjustment was needed."
Though a few people are persuaded to stay back from hunting the golden stag from the party's words of caution, most are too enticed by the possibility of riches and rush to be the first to fell the magnificent beast.
"I appreciate your caution," Edhelri tells Merric, noting that he typically joins the hunters when the caravan rests. "I echo Edhelri's sentiment, my dear Akira," Nyerhite bellows from nearby. "I'm sure its pelt will be worth it to whoever finds the poor creature, but we carry more than enough silk to make up for it."
The deer on the hillside scatter, only a couple falling to archer's arrows before the threat is recognized. The golden stag leaps into the nearby forest, leading the voracious hunters on a chase that yields no fruit. After a few hours, though most of them have plenty of fanciful stories of sightings and near-misses, the hunters return with no more than the usual amount of fresh meat, and no golden pelt in sight.
OOC: Each character has received 300 XP for their indirect role in the event.
I'll pause before continuing forward because more scouting and sneaking has been discussed but not acted upon. If nobody would like to act on that during this evening's events, I will move us forward.
See my profile for all my PbP threads!
After much of the hubbub has died down following the return of the hunters, and Rogram has finished his chores, he approaches Akira and asks if she could send her owl to see if it can get any idea of what is in the cult's wagons.
Akira tells the team, “i will be losing contact with my body for a short while. Don’t let me fall or move.”
And with that, she will send a message to her familiar that she will see through her eyes.
Halsen - Human Monk - Winter Splendor
Aradurk - Half-Orc Fighter - Barty's Blade Bizarre
Aradurk - Half-Orc Fighter - Betrayal at Devilsfall
Aradurk - Half-Orc Fighter - Barty's "The Hidden War" (Doom Portals Part 4A)
Aradurk - Half-Orc Fighter - Barty's "The Whispered Word (Doom Portals Part 5)
Garu - Tabaxi Paladin - Barty's "Beyond Twilight" (Rikirta Part 3)
Karib is relieved when the hunters all return and once more sets up the make-shift inn, listening carefully to whatever gossip he can overhear.
At Akira’s warning, Merric moves closer in order to provide some additional protection and cover as she loses control of her senses. He watches closely as the others return to camp and whispers to Rogram. “What if he is not with the wagons? What will you do then?”
Rogram blinks at Merric, then tilts his head a little and sighs. "I suppose I'll just continue north. Wherever this caravan is headed, that must be where he is." He pauses, then adds as if reassuring himself. "Has to be." He looks toward the cult's wagons for the owl.
Merric places a reassuring hand on Rogram’s shoulder. “Don’t worry, my aim is to find out where those wagons are going and why. If not here, we will find some news or sign of your father then.” Merric glances from the returning hunters and looks toward the cultist’s wagons, looking to see if the guards have noticed anything.
Looking through her familiar's eyes, Akira begins to get a sense of these assumed cult wagons' mode of operation. Each wagon seems to have two people assigned to it: One a teamster in charge of the animals and direction, and the other a guard outfitted much the same as the guards on any of the other wagons. Neither leaves their charge throughout the evening, relying on travelers in the caravan to bring them any offers of food or ale, and otherwise relying only on dry rations in their own packs.
It is a rather boring time to keep an eye on their procedures, but as night falls and the guards move into their wagons for their night's watch and rest, the keen eye of Akira's familiar is able to catch a full glimpse of the innards of these carts; unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on one's viewpoint) there are no dwarves or other humanoids within the wagons. Whatever their merchandise is, it is crated and locked down, but the backs of these wagons are full of it, leaving barely enough room for one Medium-sized creature to fit alongside. With each crate covered, it is impossible for Akira to see their contents, but as luck would have it, an opportunity would present itself the following day.
The caravan sets off in the 8th morning of travel to warmer weather; most of the travelers seem more content knowing that they are the ones now out of the Fields of the Dead, passing by nervous folk on the roadside that are now the ones heading into them. In the quiet afternoon, the lightfoot halfling driving Nyerhite's wagonload of silk leads the caravan to a rest, using the opportunity to converse with Akira. "I don't believe we've been properly introduced! Losvius Longnose, at your service," he says. The halfling seems to be appropriately named, with a nose respectably large, even for a halfling. "I hope you don't mind but I noticed the other day that orb that you carry in your pack. What brings you north of Baldur's Gate? Most wizardy types like yourself'd be traveling the opposite direction toward Candlekeep, least what I've seen."
After Akira answers, Losvius's response is interrupted by a loud crash and commotion behind them - A call of "Whoa, whoa, whoa!" is followed by the frantic braying of horses. One of the cult's assumed wagons has overturned, spilling crates of merchandise out onto the road. One wheel lies shattered from striking a nearby rock, and one of the crates that tumbled from the wagon smashes open, revealing dozens of beautiful items of jewelry wrapped in wool for protection.
See my profile for all my PbP threads!
As Akria relays what she sees through her owl's eyes, Rogram is visibly defeated. His father isn't in one of the wagons. He was so sure! Well, at least they're on their way to catch up to him. He'll just have to be patient. After she returns to her own sense, the half-dwarf thanks Akira for her aid, trying to appear grateful and not so disappointed. "By the way," he says curiously, lowering his voice even more, "which faction are you with?" he asks the dragonborn. After her answer, he looks at Merric and asks the same question. He tells them that he hasn't chosen a faction yet because the only one he has any experience with is the Lords' Alliance, and they don't seem to have a stake in this fight. "Ontharr really wanted me to choose between the Harpers and the Order of the Gauntlet. I don't really know that much about them, so I'm afraid to choose either of them."
The next day, after the caravan halts in response to the cult's wagon overturning, Rogram cranes his neck to try to see what happened. When he sees that there's trouble, he looks at Leda. "I'm going to go see if I can help." (Unless she protests ...) He walks down the edge of the road toward the wagon, but stops when he sees the busted crate and the sparkling cargo. He immediately feels scared to get any closer for fear of retaliation by the cult. He tries to catch the eye of one of the attendants and raises his voice to ask, "Can I help?"
“Not to worry, we will find your answers soon enough” Merric tries to reassure Rogram at the news from Akira’s owl. As Rogram asks about his faction, Merric cocks his head and replies “I serve my king, the ruler of the Misty Forest. Though at times he is known to have connections with the both Emerald Enclave and the Lord’s Alliance I do not know if this is one of them.” He listens closely to Akira’s answer as well.
The next day, as the wagon is overturned and the cultist’s goods exposed, Merric is slightly disappointed. “Jewelry? I thought this group was more than just common thieves” he whispered to the others. He looks on closely as Rogram approaches the wagons, ready to help in any way he can if there is trouble.
The guard nearest the overturned cargo snaps his head up at Rogram, fuming at the situation. He stares tersely at the dwarf for a few seconds of silence. "Grab a crate," he says, jerking his head toward the other overturned - but intact - crates as he rushes to pack the spilled jewelry away. The other guards shoo away any help, clearly irritated about the spilled merchandise, but one particular halfling doesn't seem to be getting the hint.
"Aha, you know I'd been wondering what you folks were hauling! Working for a jewelry merchant out of Waterdeep then, I take it?" Losvius Longnose asks a guard, approaching from the lead wagon.
"Mind your own," the guard grumbles. "That treasure ain't for you." At the word "treasure", the other guards snap their head in his direction.
"Treasure, you say, not merchandise, that's an interesting choice of word. Ah! You're adventurers then, or working for a group? Must be a powerful one to be selling off that much for them. An adventuring group working out of Baldur's Gate, could that be...ooh! Don't tell me...could it be the Phantoms? The Ravenhands?"
After only a grunt from the guard, Losvius continues, seemingly oblivious to the escalating irritation he is causing. "Do you need a hand there, friends? These jewels are quite the sight but prying eyes and all that," he says, chuckling.
"We've got it under control, old timer. No need for your help, and certainly no need for your...prying eyes," the guard replies tersely. The other guards have stopped their own work at this point, shifting eyes between Rogram's help and the conversation with Losvius.
Unaware of the mounting tension, the halfling continues, "Are you sure? It's no trouble, I'm stronger than I look--"
"You'd best step back before you find yourself in trouble," the guard interrupts. "This cargo is none of your concern. Understand?"
Losvius throws his hands up and chuckles, stepping back. "Of course, of course! Just admiring from a distance, no need for any trouble," he says.
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Rogram does as the guard instructs, moving toward one of the crates. He slows his work as the halfling begins teasing the hornet's nest. The half-dwarf's eyes dart between the guards and Losvius. Will he step in if things get violent? Does he dare chance getting on the cult's bad side when he might need his reputation with them to help find his father in the end? He's thankful when Losvius finally backs off. Stepping up his speed, Rogram finishes helping the guards pick up the crates. He steps back, puts his hands on his hips, and scrutinizes the wheel. "Do you have an extra?" he asks.
The guard Rogram is helping sighs, looking at the broken wheel in frustration. "That could take a while."
He raises his voice to address the rest of the onlookers. "We got any woodworkers or smiths here?" he asks.
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Rogram can't help but grin. "As it turns out, I'm a smith's apprentice." As soon as he says it, he immediately regrets the revelation. He tries to hide what he's pretty sure was a look of shock that flashed across his features.
The guard stares at Rogram for a few more seconds.
"I'll let you get to work, then," he says. "We'll finish loading the wagon."
See my profile for all my PbP threads!
"Sure, sure," Rogram says, playing it cool. "Glad to help." As the guard moves away, the half-dwarf silently berates himself. He bends down and inspects the axle and broken wheel. After a few moments, he stops. He has no tools. What is he supposed to do? Hit it with his axe? Viciously mock it back together? He straightens up, once again silently berating himself. Putting a hand on the back of his neck, Rogram clears his throat. "You, er, wouldn't happen to have any tools, would you?" he asks the guards in general fairly sheepishly. "I didn't think I was going to need them when I left home."
Karib cocks and eyebrow at Rogram's admission, then turns to his boss. "Not sure I like the look of that lot," he says. After a time his gaze returns to Rogram, as he mutters under his breath. "May Gond guide him."