Gale perks up when she sees Sef approaching, hailing him over with a wave. "Seems like the bandits pose as injured travelers to lure people off the road into an ambush. At least one of them is a shapeshifter or magic user," she relays. "Do you think we'll need to step in at all with the Owens? Is the girl magical?"

"I spoke to her aunt - Velandria - and she is evidently an acolyte of Melora.  I think Tova - the girl - is also.  So they are practicing divine magic, which means they should be fine.  But I still wanted them to be aware.  Those two officials just seemed...  well, desperate to find anyone. Maybe even if they weren't really arcane magic users."  Sef shrugs, then continues. "The Owen's seemed like good people though.  It was definitely the right thing to alert them. Velandria seemed pretty wise, so I think they'll all be ok." 

He pauses to think a moment, then adds. "Well, we should probably get moving to find these bandits. Perhaps if we know where they operate we can use their tactics against them somehow.  I could maybe keep out of sight so that when they try to lure you in I could ambush them before they can ambush us?"  

“Yes, that is one thing that bother me...” Malcom murmurs. “If what you’re saying is true, Sef, those officials seemed pretty desperate. Even if they might normally steer clear of divine magic, I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s an exception this time.” He then looks down, pausing for a moment “May Melora protect them.”

Malcom then looks up again. “Perhaps yes, maybe just Gale and I can pose as just simple travelers; you can then strike when they least expect it. One thing however I thought we should consider... suppose I use my magic to dispose of the bandits. Do you think they might find the audacity to report me to the town officials for it? The thought worries me... I just don’t want to put either of you in danger, but I’m not sure how much help I will be without powers. What are your thoughts?” He asks with a grimace. 

"Yea, I wonder if we might be best to keep you out of Whitehaven for the next couple days Malcom. Just to be safe."  Sef then grows quiet for a moment, then looks at Gale. "Didn't you say one of the bandits uses magic of some sort? They could hardly accuse Malcom if they're going to he found out!" 

"They disguised themself somehow. It might have been magic, or it might have been an inherent ability." Gale shrugs. Either way, it was something to watch out for. "It's probably best to keep our magic on the down-low for this one. Nothing flashy. If it comes to it, I can take the blame for anything you did. No matter how desperate the government here is, I don't think the reapers will want to take me."

"Yea, I guess that would be best." Sef looks over at Malcom. "Sorry though if that hinders how much you can help Malcom."  

He stays quiet a moment, then suddenly says, "Hey. If one of the bandits we capture does turn out to use arcane magic, we could certainly point that out.  That might reduce their determination to find more folks." He then frowns a little. "Although even if they are criminals, is it really right to just turn them over?  Of course, I don't know how they would miss such a thing anyway, if they're going to be held and brought to trial."  

(OOC: Just continuing idle conversation if anyone wants to keep it going. I am presuming we'll move on once RiderofRohan86 can be back.) 

As the party reassembles in the market Ruz approaches explains he's decided to return with old companions he's discovered are in town and wishes the party luck before he exits.

The party is sure the bandits are armed, dangerous, and have some sort of arcane abilities. They've figured out the local law is lazy and ineffective seemingly more concerned with other matters like the reapings that have dwindled for the area. The party has also learned that the readers are on their way and reaping is the following day. Having taken all this information in and discussed their course of action it's now late morning. 

OOC: Does the party head out of town on foot or try to secure transportation to the roundabout location the Ellyrian official told the party where they'd find the bandits?

After a quick discussion with Sef and Malcom, Gale sets off with them to search for a horse and cart to rent. She provides help looking around if it is needed. She also keeps an eye out to make sure the pickpockets aren't getting too close to them.

Perception: 7

"I think I saw a place with horses earlier." He points towards where he thought it was as the group heads that way.  As they walk he keeps an eye out for pickpockets or any other possible trouble.

(Perception: 27)

Malcom follows the other two silently with his head down. He thinks about the abrupt disappearance of Ruz... without his changeling ability available to the party, would it be beneficial to reveal himself? Would that be helpful to the party in the long run, or just put them in unnecessary danger? This is what Sim debates in his head during the walk, and anyone looking towards him would see the wizard deep in thought. 

Sef spots the livery near the smithy and also notices both horses as well as carts for rent by the day, the week, or for sale.

Arriving at the livery, Sef looks at Gale and Malcom. "Well, should we just see about renting a horse and cart for the day?  Guess we should find out how much it is." He looks around to try to identify who to talk to, but hangs back to allow for the others to take care of the business.  

"Sounds like a plan." Gale looks around for some sort of clerk, approaching them with a friendly smile. "Excuse me," she greets if she finds somebody. "I was wondering how much it would cost to rent a horse and cart for the day."

"Aye," says a young man with a smile. "A cart and a wagon for a day," he repeats thinking about it for a few seconds before answering as he sizes up the group. "That'd be fifteen gold for the rental fee but forty on return for deposit. So, fifty-five in total," he explains. "Lost of either however you will be charged the total value," he adds. "That's hundred golf pieces for the horse and twenty-five for the cart," he clarifies. "What name do you put down?" He then asks curiously.

 Sef, listening to the exchange gives Gale a slight nod of agreement. "Seems fair for the rental. I've no idea on the prices for a horse."

"If you think so." Gale begins counting out the correct amount of money from her pouch, but doesn't hand it over just yet in case Malcom has any protest. "You can put Gale for the name," she tells the man.

Malcom gives a nod of approval. “Go ahead, we can pay you back later. I’ll admit though it does seem a little costly to me...”

He would then turn to the shopkeeper and flash the medallion. “Sir, we are currently under the service of the law. We hope to rid this town of the nearby bandits... I’m not sure if they’ve been a problem for you, but is there anyway we can get a discount? With the bandits gone, you may have more business because townsfolk will be less afraid to travel.”

He then waits for a response. Persuasion if need be:

16

"Certainly....certainly! You should have said. Most wear those as proud as peacocks mine. How about 25 for the lot? Take care of them mind? Make sure they're returned in proper order eh?" The young man says sternly holding his had out for Malcolm to shake on the deal. "Bandits attacked my nan on her return journey from Ararosa not long ago. Attack a whole cart of folk coming back that day along with her," he explains. "Been plenty of us wanting them seen too but the..." he bites his tongue. "Well, good luck you lot," he adds.

Settling in the cart the party heads towards the road leading to Ararosa. They meet various travelers on their way in and most look fairly calm nothing passively about them seems like they've been harassed.

An hour on the road now with Whitehaven behind them skirting the lake they notices sailing boats on it headed towards Whitehaven. The water seems calm and the late afternoon weather is holding on this early spring day.

Checks? Questions?

OOC: Horse and cart for 25 gp, good on ya Malcolm!

As they head out, after having heard the young man at the livery stable, Sef makes sure to affix the Ellyrian badge to the neck of his cloak so it can be seen.  As they travel he keeps an eye out for any signs of the bandits, but also keeps up a light conversation with Gale and Malcom.  

(OOC: How far out were the bandits usually? I thought we were told about an hour.  Do we have a rough idea about where they tend to operate? Sef might separate from the others before we get to that point if he's going to try to sneak in on them.) 

(OOC2: Not sure I followed the deal on horse and cart.  Since we were offered 15 gp to rent them, I presume we didn't rent for 25 gp.  Is this 15 gp to rent still but only pay 10 gp collateral? Or we bought them outright?  Sorry, I just wasn't clear - other than we got a deal!)  

Gale takes a seat on the front of the cart, managing the reins if needed and responding to any conversation. She doesn't put her badge back on yet, worried it will alert the bandits that they're aligned with law enforcement, and communicates this idea to the others. Once they're about half an hour away from the city, she pulls out the amulet from beneath her shirt and sends a quick prayer to Sehanine for guidance and assistance staying alert to danger. Then, she starts scanning the sides of the road for anyone or anything hidden in the foliage. She plans to continue this search until she finds something, she is interrupted, or they decide to stop traveling.

Perception: 21

((Using Vigilant Blessing on myself. Grants advantage on the next initiative roll. Also, that perception roll wasn't a nat 20, but it shows up as green because I rolled a 4 on the extra d4 from Guidance.))

((What is the terrain looking like, other than the lake? Open fields? Forest? Somewhere in between?))