(Adventure) Rivenblight's Castaway [Creamsteak judging]

[Thomas Hobbes]

"If they run, I can track 'em, if we'd like. It'd be a good idea ta get one of 'em alive, at least, ta find out where they're hidin' out."

"We could go after 'em, draw 'em out inta th' open." Troi says with a shrug. "Dunno if it'd be a good idea, but it'd be a whole helluva lot better'n messin' around 'n waitin' fer 'em ta come outta th' woods."

"Ah! Yes," says Tylkin, as if he had just remembered a message he was supposed to convey. "I had almost forgotten, what with the constant fear of ambush." He remains staring straight ahead, not looking at Troi or any of the others. "I have deduced, as any reasonably competent village idiot could, that perhaps your first goal upon coming on this trip is perhaps more offensive than defensive.” His voice, casual at this point, turns harsh. “You could at least try a bit harder to hide it, as opposed to insulting my intelligence. Would any of you mind explaining what, precisely, is going on?”

 

[WizWrm]

Velbrik glances at the others, then shrugs. "Fine," he whispers. "We're hunting the bandits. The idea was to let as few people know as possible, but I guess you're just too quick. But now is definitely not the time to get into explanations - we're still protecting your wagon, remember."

He scans the surrounding forest nervously, fingering something in his pocket. "I think you're right, Troi. They're probably preparing to ambush us even as we speak. I'll drop off into the underbrush, but keep the wagon moving." Velbrik retrieves the object, a signal whistle, from his pocket. "I'll give a toot if I get in trouble or things look bad, but otherwise I'll just be looking to get a better view." He replaces the signal whistle. "I'll be safest among us in doing that, probably...I've got a potion I bought after the little skirmish with those orcs that'll guard me from their attacks long enough to get back to the wagon, if they spot me." Velbrik mutters something rhythmic and guttural under his breath; the incantation for the message spell. He points a finger at Troi, Jaan, and Ioleta in sequence, then mouths the words, "Happy trails," which come out clearly over the communicative magic.

Having done this, Velbrik steps to the side of the road, partially concealing himself within the trees. As the wagon moves forward, he ducks down and begins creeping along, moving into the forest, but never more than fifty feet from the trail, and never out of sight of the wagon.

[Hide +7, Move Silently +7]

 

[doghead]

... "I have deduced, as any reasonably competent village idiot could, that perhaps your first goal upon coming on this trip is perhaps more offensive than defensive.” His voice, casual at this point, turns harsh. “You could at least try a bit harder to hide it, as opposed to insulting my intelligence. Would any of you mind explaining what, precisely, is going on?”

"Fine," he whispers. "We're hunting the bandits. The idea was to let as few people know as possible, but I guess you're just too quick. But now is definitely not the time to get into explanations - we're still protecting your wagon, remember."

As Velbrik slips away, Jaan gives Tylkin a hearty slap on the back. He does his best to keep his voice relaxed aqnd natural.

"Actually my friend, we shouldn't have tried to hide it at all. But then we didn't know you from a pickled gerkin at the time. So a little to the left of "the whole truth" seemed the best path to take, so to speak. We didn't know that you were going to turn out to be a decent enough sort of fellow. And an sharp one at that.

"And with a little luck, a famous one as well.

"A bit of a story to tell over a ale at night. Something to wow the grandkids with. Thats what I plan to do make of it. Could do with a cold ale right now I could, come to think of it."

 

[GnomeWorks]

Jaan
"A bit of a story to tell over a ale at night. Something to wow the grandkids with. Thats what I plan to do make of it. Could do with a cold ale right now I could, come to think of it."

Troi grunts at this.

"Stories to tell yer kids, eh? This ain't a game, man." He gives his equipment another once over, then watches the way Velbrik went. "An' a drink is th' last thing ya want, bad fer th' reflexes... gotta keep th' head clear."

He pauses, listening.

"I just wanna get through this alive. Th' cash ain't that great ta start with, an' I don't like th' idea a gettin' ambushed. So let's jus' stay on our toes an' be ready fer when they come outta th' woods at us, eh?"

 

[doghead]

Jaan sighs (inwardly as best is possible) as Troi very neatly shoots down his attempt to calm Tylkin down.

 

[Thomas Hobbes]

If it will make Jaan feel any better, Tylkin wasn't buying any of it, and has just opened his mouth (probably to say something suitably biting and sarcastic) when Troi spoke up. He remains silent, looking displeased.

Velbrik, trailing the wagon, sees nothing; neither do those of you on the road. This state of affairs proceeds for some minutes.

 

[WizWrm]

Velbrik mouths, "Nothing yet," over the message spell. He will try to move ahead of the wagon, if possible, but not if doing so would wreck his ability to stay hidden. Preferably, he will be able to move ahead by waiting for a bend in the road and cutting across the turn through the trees.

 

[Thomas Hobbes]

The required turn comes up in a short while and Velbrik manages to cut ahead without, as far as he knows, revealing himself. He still sees nothing that walks on two legs save for his own companions, however.

 

[Sparky]

Ioleta is panting with fear by the time the bandits disappear. She swallows the lump in her throat and nervously runs a hand through her short hair. She laughs, a brittle sound. And sighs. She looks warily back into the slanting light under the trees. Wish I could enjoy this.

She winces at Tylkin's words, but is more comfortable with this dilemma than the one awaiting them in the forest's shadows, "Yeah, sorry about that, Tylkin. We couldn't be certain that you'd cooperate or not bung up the plan trying to cooperate."

She resumes her scanning of the forest peering ahead and, more often, behind. She murmurs, "Wow, Velbrik's good."

 

[WizWrm]

Velbrik grins. Over the message spell, the laughter in his voice can be heard when he mouths, "Not that good. I moved in front of you." He turns a bit more serious. "Still nothing. I'm wondering if we should try and draw them out."