(Casual D&D) A Game of Trust

[Guilt Puppy]

(OOC -- Uriel: None of my business whether you do or not Did you have any trouble reading the inscription text?

Anyway, don't want to interrupt anything, but I do want to keep things moving: So give me a "We're heading off" when you do... Also, let me know whether you're taking the road or going through wilderness, and anything else that comes off...)

 

[dpdx]

Fendric calls out to the stranger again: "Would you like a ride? We have room on Victus' horse, if you do. Or perhaps you'd like to accompany us as far as you're going?"

While he's waiting for the answer, he turns around to Niccolo: "Well? Have you been able to figure out anything about the ring?"

 

[Vexed]

::After Fendrics calls out to Draven he stops and looks back over his shoulder, turning he approaches the group once more and nods his head slightly.::

Draven::"Where are you headed?

 

[dpdx]

"We are headed to find Brother Milos Premule, in, ah..." Fendric thinks for a second, "...near Bethel. Might you be headed that way as well?"

Fendric points to each of his companions in turn: "Oh, yes, where is my courtesy? I am Brother Fendric, of the Temple of Pelor in Hedrogura, and these are my sworn companions: Niccolo on the horse with me, a storyteller and legendmaster of no mean skill; Aerda riding the horse next to me, equally gifted at spell or sword; on the horse with him, Merrim, a very skilled illusionist; and over there on the other horse, Victus, a fighter as formidable as any I've seen in the arena. What would your name be, traveler?"

 

[Uriel]

Responding to his companion, the Bard translates:"To Reveal the Road to a Better World"... Niccolo ponders the Inscription, an ominous writing to be sure, or a message of hope?

 

[National Acrobat]

"I prefer to think that the ring's inscription means a message of hope. I would prefer to not think of it as something bad. I've seen enough bad here lately. I wonder what kind of magic ring would have that sort of inscription upon it." Merrim's little brow furrows in thought. She hears her name being called when the stranger is being asked about whether he would travel with them, she does a little bow, then pulls out her jester hat and puts it on, "I am also a storyteller and weaver of fanciful prose, but no so nearly as good as Niccolo here."

 

[dpdx]

While he waits for the traveler to ponder his decision, Fendric turns around to discuss the ring with Niccolo, in a low voice so as not to disturb the traveler's thinking:

"So, it's magical, and it says 'To Reveal the Road to a Better World.' And I'm pretty sure it belonged to Sir Exantrius. Perhaps it would help us deliver these letters, if we knew how to activate it. For instance, whether to take the road to Bethel, or follow a straight line through the wilderness. Since you seem to know the most about it, perhaps you should wear it so you can figure out how it works, the Shining One willing..."

Fendric thinks to himself: (Anything, Pelor help us, so long as we GO. Too much talk, not enough delivery of mail, Father Brewek would say. If Sir Exantrius were still with us, we'd be halfway to Bethel already.)

Fendric looks wistfully at the sky, remembering the old warrior, and dabs a tear from his eye with a graceful touch of the finger. Finally, he turns to the Traveller:

"Well, sir, your name, and your decision?

Mustn't tarry about -- there's evil in these parts, the Holy Light save us, and as long as you're headed our way, you might as well ride, or follow. I don't think you can run faster than we ride, that is, if you're running from something. If not, well, Pelor keep you... but I'd rather He keep you here. Could stand the company, as we're short one of the Greatest Heroes this Land has ever Known."

Fendric seems oblivious to the fact that he does most of the talking.

 

[wings]

Shock the Monkey

Aerda sighs, also as tired of waiting and tarrying about as his companion, but less throaty about it. He purses his lips and looks over his map. He figures to go without the luxury of a road would serve the best, as long as they could keep their wits about them.

He nodded when he was introduced, politely but nothing more. He folds the map and points the way. "We should get moving, whether we have an extra head or not."

 

[Guilt Puppy]

(Since it sounds like everyone's ready to get moving, and sounds like you prefer to stick to the hills, I'm moving things along. Feel free to backtrack if you need to.)

Your journey through the foothills is by and large pleasant -- you encounter little trouble as the days pass, and the food from the Hobgoblins proves to be far from unpleasant, keeping you in good health. (BTW, anyone with Wilderness Lore can make checks per day to "live off the land" while travelling... DC 14 to feed yourself, +2 for each additional medium-sized companion, +1 for the two gnomes... Divvy it up after the check, as you see fit.)

After four days, things are seeming quite well -- the terrain is getting easier, with more wooded cover, and by your estimates you are half-way to Jance.

Things seem well, except to Niccolo -- who awakens in the middle of the fourth night with a queer sense that you are being hunted.

 

[Vexed]

:: Sensing the slight tension in the air, Draven pulls his hair back, securing it with a small piece of leather. He looks about once, his eyes squinting slightly at the sun. He turns back to the group and nods.: He speaks to Fendric but also glances about most of the party and nods. The exception being Aerda :

Draven::" My name Draven. And I am a woodsman. As fate would have it, I seem to be heading in that direction.

::He inclines his head slightly and accompanies the party::

*Rolls wilderness lore; Die roll 13 ability mod +2 Ranks 4 Total=19

::He silently offers food to any who appear a want for it. He rests a good ten to fifteen feet away from the campfire at night, away from the party. He watches and listens intently, always taking note of his surroundings. Occasionally he stops and pays attention to what is being said by the companions::