Homebrew: Totem of Carrowkeel

Erevan & Saarebas: Still looks like farmland with a few smatterings of trees in the distance but the road is clear as the sky above.

Darik: You notice there's a odd lack of travelers even now that it's midday.

Pitero: There is a dark plume of smoke far in the distance ahead. Roll a survival check!

Darik will stay alert to his surrounding and let them know how he feels.

Darik: "Seem's odd that there are no travelers on the road."

Pitero by Brida's explaining of the direction your party is heading to get to Carrowkeel you know the smoke is either very near if not the village itself burning in the distance!

The village of Carrowkeel is at least another full day's ride ahead so seeing this smoke at this distance means something very large is burning!

OOC/Pitero: That's is past tense you're the one who rolled the great perception and survival checks

Everyone else are we sleeping at the wheel here now or what?

Erevan  is making haste.

The entire group being alerted by Pitero's indication of the black smoke looming in the sky above the direction of Carrowkeel. With the two carts you all will not manage to make it to the village until late that evening but the riders will be able to make it within the next three hours if they ride hard.

Everyone: Who is willing to ride ahead with Aldaryn to see what's burning and who's willing to remain with the carts for protection?

Darik concerned at what Pitero said looks to Brida and looks back on the road. Waiting for her to respond.

“Darik you stay with the prisoners and keep riding. I’ll volunteer to ride ahead with Erevan to the city.”

Brida although reluctant to stay behind she heeds Aldaryn's sense and remains in the cart with the prisoners. "I won't wish to remain at this slow pace when obviously there is some sort of trouble ahead but I know this horse can't be pushed much harder," she explains gesturing at the cart horse nearly dead on it's feet already! "I do think someone should remain behind with myself and the prisoners. Pitero I don't think your cart will make it with haste the same as riders. Can you ride Mork or will you remain behind," she asks. "Darik they might need your blade and your zeal in the village," she'll add.

Nodding will Darik will rush behind Saarebas.

Darik: "Very well!"

OOC: So who all is riding ahead, is it just Saar  and Daric or is Erevan  riding ahead as well?

OOC: Yes! Brida, Andulra, and Pitero are staying back with the carts while you, Darik, and Saarebas are heading forward hastily with Aldaryn towards the village!

Group 1: Saarebas, Erevan, Darik, and Aldaryn

At midday you begin to make your way towards the village with haste and it takes almost six hours straight before you reach the fork leading to Carrowkeel. The road is empty of the villagers you remember who greeted you, it's now dusk and your horses can not move any further! At the crest of the main road you can see the valley which Carrowkeel is settled almost directly in the center with farmlands around you. From this distance you can see there are multiple fires burning at homesteads that skirt the town but what's most prominent is the temple of Chauntea, it's the largest building in the village, which is ablaze!

Aldaryn holds the group and tells you to dismount.

"I think it's best to go on foot from here. Let's hide the horses and head now there," Aldaryn explains his plan. "Does that work for everyone," he asks once he's tied his horse to a tree just off the road in the trees that are clustered at the fork.

Group 2: Brida, Pitero, and Andulra

It will take this group three hours longer to reach the village at a steady pace with wagons/carts! In this time remember group 1 is ahead and anything that is done or said your character did not witness.

OOC: My apologies friends I have been ill the past two days but I'm feeling better!

Turning to Brida and Pitero, "Is there anything I can do?" 

"We can only hope to get there soon and bring these men to justice," Brida calls out from her seat in the cart as Andulra is riding beside her then a lightbulb comes on in her head suddenly pulls up the reigns slowing her cart making Pitero slow as well. Getting down from her cart she walks up to Pitero and his mule. "Pitero do you think we could tie this nag to the trees," she gestures to the horse pulling the cage, "and you ride Mork leaving your cart? Andulra and ride together? We might get to my village faster and we can come back for your cart and the horse as well as these miserable fools later," she explains.

Darik will nod following Aldaryn lead getting off his horse and tie him to the same tree.