Taylar says, "That simpleton guard did have some useful information. He warned us that anyone not Markidian in the area could be 'questioned', which I think can only mean 'tortured'. Walking up to either of those buildings in the open would be bad for us. I will tell you now, my friends, that I will not be taken captive or submit to their supposed authority. I would rather die with my weapons in hand, than screaming in manacles. We should find a good location to make a secret camp so that we can investigate the people in those buildings without letting them know."
Maka says, "We don't need to get inside the building. Let's just get close enough to observe the comings and goings. Perhaps we can ask The Way Spirit for guidance; maybe we can heighten our senses, especially our hearing, and perhaps discern what it is she's up to in that manner. Also, making a secret camp is a good idea. We don't need to be seen casually strolling around town. I am with you. What place did you have in mind for the camp?"
OOC:
Roll to heighten eyesight: 80
Roll to heighten hearing: 65
If working together helps, aid another roll: 41
Taylar takes in the terrain and offers, "What if we were able to find some place along the coast? Being able to approach and escape by sea could be an advantage. We could also supplement our diet with seafood. Sneaking around on land, we could leave a trail. Let us leave this place and travel along the coast. We may need to travel a ways before we can find a safe area. Then, of course, we will need to acquire a boat."
Raven Elk, after talking to a few folk, finds little other than an acquiescence to the "oldtime religion" despite an overwhelming awe (fear) concerning certain changes in its tenants; especially the acts of enforcement. Though the enforcements are not overt, they are ever present.
To Adisakti's idea, he responds: "I think we should openly approach the Castle. The Cathedral, with the present zealotry, among some of its "ministers, may be a bad idea for finding anything we want to know. And, sneaking in either would surely put us under the mark of suspicion."
Maka shakes his head, "The Ministry has authority over the Regular soldiers, which tells me that they have authority in and around the castle as well as the cathedral. Approaching either building would be dangerous."
Current Inventory:
4-Wheeled Cart pulled by 2 donkeys
harnin short swords: 14
Coins:
chest of various coins
marks: 271
Animal Parts:
Grizzly Skull
Minerals:
Slate: 63: {Thump x2}
Flint: 10 {Heat x2}
Coal: 2: {Heat x3}
Bloodstone: 2: {Confluence +1}
Sunstone: 9: {Persona +1, Muddle x2}
Heartstone: 5: {Confluence +1}
Lodestone: 4 {shock x2}
Ores:
Zinc Ingots: 1: {Health +1, Mend x2}
Tin Ingot: 1: {Persona +1, Muddle x2}
Lead Ingot: 12: {Rend x2}
Iron Ingot: 1 {Confluence +1, Mend x2}
Calcium Ingot: 1: {Cohesion +1, Restore x2}
Plants:
Mend Leaves: 1 measure {Mend x2}
Muddle Leaves: 2 measure {Muddle x2}
Soothe Leaf: 1 measure {Soothe x2}
Unknown Items:
Angry Spirit Dust:
Grizzly Claws: 20:
.
OOC:
Vittero: full health
Bracers: 20 - 1 = 19
tunic: 60 - 12 = 48
harnin arrows: 17 Taylar: full health
Spaulders: 20 - 6 - 6 = 8 Maka: full health
harnin arrows: 41 Raven Elk: full health
Buckler: 20 - 1 = 19
tunic: 60 - 12 = 48 - 12 = 36 Adisakti: full health
javelins: 3
Acolyte Avery's Ledger
Slate Boulder: 76 stones worth, East Pass
Tin Vein: 43 stones worth, East Pass
Zinc Vein: 61 ingots worth, 7 days north East Pass
Keep of the Rising Sun
Considerable discussion follows the witnessed episode and brief inquiry with the soldier. With the conclusion of the deliberation, it is agreed that stealth is in the party's best interest, having still more indecision as to exactly where a base of operations should be established.
As the men slowly make their way northward, possibly to approach the river by the remains of the Pelimonra Village or divert eastward into the conifer forest, it is readily agreed that some distance would certainly be prudent. Being always wary and occasionally looking back to see if anyone is following or taking too much notice, it is Adisakti who points out to the others, before they have traveled too far to really be able to see, that a group is being quickly formed about where the previous guards was located and will be shortly heading northward at the party.
Coincidence, maybe, but it is not a party of farmers or carpenters. At distance of about 1000 strides, it is difficult to identify people clearly, but it appears that the unit has begun moving. In about two minutes it will arrive leaving the party to decide if they stand and wait on it or take some other action.
OOC:
All characters receive 5 DP for such interactive discussion of the previous posts.
Maka says, "Probably Kingdom Regulars; we should move quickly into the trees and put some distance between us and them. The more distance, the better. I do not want to fight these people."
And with that, confident that his friends will follow, Maka sprints into the coniferous foliage, manipulating waylines as he runs, to make himself blend into his surroundings.
Taylar nods in agreement. "Let them think us cowards for the moment. If we fight them now it will stir up the whole nest. We will have to fight them eventually, and it would be better if they were not prepared for us." He will follow Maka but have his weapons ready in case the group reaches them."
Raven Elk agrees to hide as best they can amongst the conifers and shrubs, but for a completely different reason: "let us hide," Raven says in a harsh whisper, "but, to espy their tabards. If they are like the butchers, then we have the opportunity of surprise and can ambush them. If not, we let them pass unmolested." Raven Elk then moves into the trees opposite of Taylar, thinking that the two melee fighters can manuever a pincer movement on the soldiers.
Current Inventory:
4-Wheeled Cart pulled by 2 donkeys
harnin short swords: 14
Coins:
chest of various coins
marks: 271
Animal Parts:
Grizzly Skull
Minerals:
Slate: 63: {Thump x2}
Flint: 10 {Heat x2}
Coal: 2: {Heat x3}
Bloodstone: 2: {Confluence +1}
Sunstone: 9: {Persona +1, Muddle x2}
Heartstone: 5: {Confluence +1}
Lodestone: 4 {shock x2}
Ores:
Zinc Ingots: 1: {Health +1, Mend x2}
Tin Ingot: 1: {Persona +1, Muddle x2}
Lead Ingot: 12: {Rend x2}
Iron Ingot: 1 {Confluence +1, Mend x2}
Calcium Ingot: 1: {Cohesion +1, Restore x2}
Plants:
Mend Leaves: 1 measure {Mend x2}
Muddle Leaves: 2 measure {Muddle x2}
Soothe Leaf: 1 measure {Soothe x2}
Unknown Items:
Angry Spirit Dust:
Grizzly Claws: 20:
.
OOC:
Vittero: full health
Bracers: 20 - 1 = 19
tunic: 60 - 12 = 48
harnin arrows: 17 Taylar: full health
Spaulders: 20 - 6 - 6 = 8 Maka: full health
harnin arrows: 41 Raven Elk: full health
Buckler: 20 - 1 = 19
tunic: 60 - 12 = 48 - 12 = 36 Adisakti: full health
javelins: 3
Acolyte Avery's Ledger
Slate Boulder: 76 stones worth, East Pass
Tin Vein: 43 stones worth, East Pass
Zinc Vein: 61 ingots worth, 7 days north East Pass
Keep of the Rising Sun
Adisakti grumbles but moves off into the trees. Vittero is more useful from cover in any given situation and he bends light to shade himself as he moves to hide.
At 1000 strides, it would take the unit, traveling at a normal pace, 15 minutes to close the distance. This unit is moving faster. It takes them just over 7. Being right near the outskirts of town, the ground cover is actually better than it would be deeper in the forest, due to greater exposure of sunlight. The men disperse, keeping an eye on the road and a weapon at the ready. The approach is no longer as easy to see as the location of the roadway where the men were once standing.
It is quickly noted that this unit, when it arrives parallel to the hidden group, is not Kingdom Regulars, at all. They are not even men. They are all woman, more girls really, from the youthful appearance of their faces. They are dressed like soldiers but all in brown instead of green, armed with bows and knives. The unit pauses, turning about to look around. Their voices can be heard, for everything else seems to have gone quiet.
"There were some people here a few moments ago. They must have gone off into the trees."
"It could have merely been a hunting party of the outlying farmers looking for game."
"I do not see anyone now."
"We have an assignment, anyway. We need to get onto that Pelimonra Village. We have to track down whoever is responsible for killing that unit of Acolytes and hiding the evidence."
The woman being jogging northward. On the backs of their quilted tunics can be seen the dark red symbol of Dusk, what has been confused for Dawn by the residents of West Cove.
