13 (Insight attempt)

Mihris sighed with the man. "The fact that the post is legitimate - even if the crime is fabricated - does make things harder. For some people," (she pointedly did not look at Vanis) "to be on a "wanted" post is enough to condemn the person, so, the choice of the one who wants you dead is understandable now. However, that one man, who is set on your sacrifice is a monster and his intention goes far beyond execution of a random stranger". She looked at Edgar very seriously and said as convincing as she could: "We do not want your death. I personally promise to do everything in my power to keep you alive. At the moment, the solution we came up with, is, if things get really bad and, despite our effort, you will be left alone on the ice, to return to you with food and clothes, so you could follow the tracks of the caravan - the nearest city is but a day or two of a journey. We learned that human sacrifice is the tradition of the TenTowns, so, you would have to be careful still. But that is the concern for the future, right now it is about that "trial" that is going to happen."

"Tell me, do you know anything about The Warduke Emial?"

Vanys frowns and sends a message to Mihris. Speaking in her mind he says, "I do not wish to see him condemned, only to protect the greater good. If he distracts us from being able to prevent what is happening at the pass, I simply do not want to waste resources on this. The more time we have to figure out what is up ahead, the better." With that, he turns and watches Edgar, and his response to Mihris, carefully. He finds it interesting that the man opened up so easily about the crime and is just trying to get a read on him.

Insight: 22

Red clearly identifies the sincerity in the man's words, even the visible relief in putting it all out as you're probably the first ones he's been able to reveal the whole situation to. In the end, Edgar looks just like a simple man who has no other option than to run away from troubles with people far more powerful than himself.

Edgar sighs, his shoulders lower as he looks to the ground in sorrowful defeat, he breathes heavily trying to steady his voice "I... understand. There's nothing to be done... At least you told me before the trial." he looks back at Mihris, "I don't know this person... I've heard of this Warduke thing, smug folk from the Alliance I think. I thought the Dale was out of their turf, it was the whole I came up here in the middle of this whole winter curse." 

Vanys is puzzled and still suspicious at the man, unable to really read him.

Revealing the trial to the accused may put the party into a difficult position in the caravan. But Mia didn't stop the priestess. Because Mihris is her friend. Mia understands her,respects her, loves her and believes in her. The little elf knows that sometimes a sledge hammer of honesty is better than shining pretty words and can open tightly closed doors which those words can't open. And about being honest, her best friend never lets Mia down.

Mia listens to the young man. And as the story goes on, the elf girl starts to cross her arms, knit her brows,her face color turns red and finally she explodes with anger. Mia talks fast and furious in druidic slang which roughly means in common tongue that the ***** should be fed to the grizzly and the bear dung should be a seedbed of Myconid! After a few seconds, Mia finally calms down…a bit, she wipes sweat from her forehead and says. "I got it. Rest assured, Edgar. The law and justice of human society may fail you, but gods and nature here! Everyone, I have an idea. How about taking this young man to the investigation with us. I mean, this guy looks like a spring cabbage, not a wild grass material. He is differently more safe with us than being alone. Also if the fake warduke is wanting him to die for the winter witch Auril, then we might be able to lure the imposter toward us!"      

It was of Mihris's strong believe in the everyone's rights to know the things trispired against them, so they could make and informative decision, but one way or another, the man now at least knew what to expect from the future.

"It might be a good idea to take Edgar with us. Provided he will be allowed to leave." She looked at the man. "Would you come? We want to check that passage ahead that might prove treacherous. There is no way to tell what to expect there, however here it would not be good for sure. Your choice, of course."

Vanys shrugs, he doesn't mind bringing the man with them and his story seems believable. He doesn't particularly like having someone that could be a liability, but as long as Edgar doesn't endanger the rest of the group, Vanys doesn't mind and he communicates as much to the rest of the group with a simple shrug. Like Mihris, he looks to Edgar to see if the fellow wants to join them.

Edgar widens his eyes and grimaces for a moment as he considers Mialee's offer, his eyes darting around the place, "I-... don't know, really." he sighs, "I'm not much of a fighter... I must consider what to do. And I've got to care for Jewel here, ain't rightly a place for her to be prancing about in the darkness." he looks over to the horse at his side, caressing its mane, "I was thinking of huddling for a day or two at the waystone, getting a fire going behind windbreak. Spread what's left of my soup and let the caravan reach Ten-Towns a ahead of me, then make my way there." he looks back at you and nods, though with more than a hint of sadness over his face.

As the caravan continues to move ahead while you talk, the fog disperses a little as a hint of sun rises on the horizon—but never above it. An eerie orange-gray twilight slowly settles over the landscape, and far ahead on your way you're able to see what's left of the dark ruined structure getting ever closer. After several minutes, sharp whistles from the front of the caravan direct the wagons as they begin to swerve towards one side heading to a clearance at the side of the road, at the side of a trail that leads up the small hill of the waystone.

"It is up to you, of course," assured Mihris the scared man. That he was not much of a fighter or explorer was obvious (and to be completely fair - did not have much reasons to trust the group either). "That berry you had will help you to save some of your food too. Here, take a ration as well, who knows how long it will take." The priestess gave the man one of her carefully packed mix of dried food. "Keep an eye out for guards seeking you. May Eldath watch over you."

She looked at others "Are we going to the pass openly? Not sure this is even a question, though." Indeed, to hide on this endless snowfield did not look possible.

Nodding along with the others, having believed the gentlemen's claims and concept. "That isn't a bad idea Edgar, I don't know what the trial will go without you here. but its probably your best bet. Also you may want to shave your head while you are hiding. "  Seeing Mihris handing off some rations, Red does the same, as well as handing over some of his torches. "You may want to feed the horse the berry though, today and tonight, since you can have rations easier than the horse for a day or two."

"Well, if we exit openly, they will know. but sneaking is unlikely. But it would give Edgar a pause to sneak off to the side I imagine. Albiet drawing some attention to us perhaps. I'm fine with that-I doubt we can leave quietly in a large group-and we'll be known as part of the trial after which gives us a safety net for that trip."   

(OOC: Gave 5 Torches and 5 Rations to Edgar; Red can make small lights himself, and he can forage if he ends up in a bad situation so he isn't worried too much for himself there)

"Red, that's a great idea! You are a genius! Jewel would surely eat much more than Edgar! The berries will save her a lots of food" Mia comes near to the young man. She puts her hand on his thigh. " We respect your will, young man. Go your own way. Remember to keep warm,stay alive and don't give up hope. As long as you alive, there will be time you can meet your family again… and see the *****y lady meets her own karma"

Mia gazes at the unnatural sundown. Every time she sees it, the little elf feels anger rise in her heart. She can sense the pain of lives that sealed under the thick ice, the agony of animals tormented by the endless winter. This evil curse must be stopped! "I feel zero reason to hide our investigation. Actually I am going to ask the Ignazio's servants about the ruin and pass ahead of us. That will drive the imposter nut and press him to do something…something that might give us a new opening."

"Let's do it then." Mihris was not going to talk but was ready to listen and back up Mya in her endeavors.

Vanys nods. Mia seems to have a plan, and while his approach might be different, Mia's doesn't seem half bad. "I don't know if we should tell anyone that we are leaving. It might attract unwanted attention. At the very least if we leave without telling anyone, we might be able to surprise whatever or whoever it is that might be at the pass. If we say anything, the warduke might warn his people if he has allies. I'm not saying your idea is bad, but just trying to throw out some ideas."

Edgar thankfully nods at you as you distance yourselves from him, with sad eyes but a smile as he holds up the last berry in his hand in a sort of salute before stuffing it in his horse's saddlebags.

Far ahead towards the front of the caravan, some of the wagons have already stopped at the side of the Ten Trail, with guards and Ignazio directing some of the people that already made their way down from the vehicles towards a side trail that climbs a small hill in which the old ruined structure sits atop, only a bit further ahead. A few guards stand near to Ignazio and seems as if will accompany the group up the hill, with Emial and Mithann near them, while more than half the guards and a few commoners are left behind in the wagons.

((Okay, what does the group intends to do here: Go up the hill with the caravan travelers and participate in the trial? Follow the Ten Trail ahead towards the pass before the caravan? Something else?))

(prior to the scene shift)

"One danger of simply going without alerting is if they look for us. They may blame us. Though if the knowledge is limited it may occur anyway. We should perhaps be ready for an unsteady conversation at the trial." Comments Red once they've secured their plans and started to shift.

(after scene shift)

(OOC.  I assume we were going to go to the Trial as we were requested there. Then go ahead?  Or use the Trial's absentee trialee (unless he got caught)'s vanishing as an excuse to travel ahead and search? Split dynamics between trial and exploring. (hazardous))

"Good point, all of them, actually." Completely agreed Mihris. "Mia, it does make sense to participate as Red says, if only to fully know the enemy's official plans. Shall we go?" If others agree - the cleric will proceed to the trial. (But if consensus is to demonstratively go to the pass - with stay with the group) 

"Van, your idea isn't bad. But there is a problem…Emial already knows what we are up to. Because I told that in his sight. That imposter made a quite ugly face. You should see it. That was really hilarious!" Mia chuckles. " So even if we leave the trial without notice, he will find our plan in no time. Sorry about that."

The little elf shrugs and heads toward the ruined structure where the caravan master and others are gathering. "Okay. Let's go,Miri. And Red please don't forget to take a look at fake warduke's ring"

(At this point. I think Red will remove the recordings we have previously.  The quotes won't be useful at this spot; as the dynamics have changed.   Instead. Red will requip himself with the "glowing orbs" on his clothing.   In effect, he wants to be recognizable to the Caravan.  Since he's known as "That weird guy with glowing dots, who keeps making people delicious food and sharing it"  In effect. Red is hoping to garner crowd support in case of awkward turns of event.  Since a large portion of the caravan likely knows of him at this point of the trip. Since he keeps sharing food around and making rations warm and tasty.

So just heads up folks, there are no quote things now. I don't think anyone had a plan with them anyway)

After several more minutes walking uphill along with the other travelers, you reach a somewhat flat high plateau, from which you can see the orange twilight of what can be seen of the sun bathe the rolling hillocks ahead. The ruined structure here is made of dark stone, and only one circular wall and some columns are left, all sized for giants and covered in runic carvings, and though it provides a nice windbreak along with the hill behind it, Aurilsbreath still blows coldly and strong upon you.

Most of the caravan travelers are here, bearing apprehensive looks and standing in a wide loose circle between the dark columns as Ignazio, Mithann, and Emial position themselves in the middle, flanked by a couple of Ignazio's guards. The caravan master smiles politely and motions for your group to join them just before starting to speak, waiting for everyone to settle into their positions and taking a deep breath "We gather here with heavy hearts to do what is needed, as I have said before. Let the collective judgement of our caravan, our gods, and the lords of our lands help us in making the right decisions. Those among us who we have reason to believe are outlaws, miscreants, and criminals will be hereby banished from our midst. They will be offered some food and left behind for their gods to decide their fates. They must wait at least a day before continue into Ten-Towns if they intend to do so, lest our guards force them from the proximity of our caravan." he then waves Mithann towards the center of the circle, "Let us begin with the judgement from the Lord's Alliance, here represented by our esteemed Warduke Emial." 

Emial proudly steps into the center of the circle, his red cloak bearing the gold-embroidered crown symbol of the Lord's Alliance fluttering on the wind. He clears his throat before speaking with an air of authority, "Dear travelers, I bring you the word of our acclaimed leaders in the Sword Coast, along with the usual well wishes towards our neighbors and the objective of continued cooperation between our cities. It is under these pillars that I, seeking ever to spare our trade partners and allies from suffering, use the authority of the title bestowed upon me to purge wrongdoers from our circles." he lets that sink in from a moment as the travelers eye him puzzledly, "I've inquired with my superiors to check the records and received a bird message from them last night, revealing that one among us is actually a criminal sought after in the Moonshae Isles. One no-gooder and former pirate that would prey upon the honest working folk of Ten-Towns after finding no place left for himself his own land." he gesticulates emphasizing his words and stands silent for a moment before pointing an accusing finger towards a young man in the crowd, "Redd Gaoch, sought for disturbing the peace, brandishing weapons without due cause, vandalism, theft, damaging properties, arson, littering, and a list of crimes too long to cite here. You are hereby banished from this caravan in the name of the Lord's Alliance. Due to current lack of resources and the situation at the North/South pass, you will not be hauled back to serve your sentence, but if you survive the Dale and plague us with your presence once again, your life will be forfeit!" the young mustached man starts an outraged protest almost immediately, but what seems to be his husband at his side holds him, lowering his head and calmly hugging him, both eventually start to make their way down the hill and a guard accompanies them.

Emial can barely hide the smug and satisfied smile after passing his sentence as he returns to Ignazio's side. The caravan master just shakes his head and sighs, turning to face the priestess Mithann, who stands wide-eyed looking at the couple descending the hill.

Vanys is stunned. This was not the person that the caravan master had shown the wanted poster for. What evidence did they have to accuse him? Vanys's head is spinning, but he has the presence of mind to subtly reach into a pouch at his waist and point at Ignazio whispering, "What is this!? That is not the man who is wanted! What proof do you have of this pirate's crimes?" As he sends his message, he looks at Mia, Mihris, and Red with an expression that clearly asks, 'What now?'

Sleight of Hand: 19