(Casual D&D) A Game of Trust

[Guilt Puppy]

Lanatus shrugs. "We only know that he's in custody. Your, --" he gestures toward Fendric "suspicions may be correct, but I haven't seen or heard any solid evidence of this. I find it hard to believe they'd bring him back to the citadel... There's too much support for him in Bethel. Of course, that would explain why we've been forced to leave the city..."

"It could be either," Laam spits out, with undue emphasis. "We don't know a thing." His frustration is clear; he keeps his eyes down, fiddling constantly with the straps on his gloves.

 

[dpdx]

Fendric takes in the conversation before speaking.

"What we could use is a scrying, or a sending to Father Premule. Are any of you of sufficient experience to perform this?

For my part, I can cast an augury tomorrow after morning prayer, so perhaps we should determine in the meantime, how best to pose that augury in a way that will help us see clearly. For now, our instinct, and the inspiration given us by our Divine Patrons, has brought us to this place, at this time, and I humbly but strongly suggest we follow it, er, them. We're no strangers to making camp, so if the river is where we think they have gone, let's go - standing here thinking isn't going to get us Father Premule. If Nurthk can find sign, we'll know we've guessed correctly. What say all of you? Can we think on the trail?"

[I guess I'd better send Uriel that stat block - for now, in 3.0, Fendric can cast an augury at his current level. Dunno if that changes in 3.5, though.]

 

[Guilt Puppy]

Balger answers the question of augury: "Everyone here is guard-side, haven't trained much in magic, just the basics we need for worship. Only sole clergy we've got is Hasdural -- he's young too, but he might manage something."

(Note: Augury is a 2nd level cleric spell in 3E, so you should be able to cast it.)

Lucian adds: "You're right, though, that we should spend no more time waiting. Once the others arrive, we should set out."

Two more arrive shortly: Marten, whose thin blonde hair reaches down almost to the pair of swords on his belt, and Shamil, a man whose five-foot stature makes you almost miss that he is among the oldest of the group.

Even as they are being brought up to speed, Hadural arrives, the top of his vestments peeking through a still-worn black cloak. He seems just a little concerned as he surveys the group.

"It looks like I'm the last here... Has anyone else seen strange things in this town? I've seen lights in some windows, just briefly flickering." He pulls his mouth back in a forced smile. "Or maybe it's just the emptiness making me see things."

 

[Festy_Dog]

"Maybe the occupants of the town never left," Nurthk says in a creepy voice, "They might be residing in a mass-grave nearby, and none-too-happy about it I'd wager, which is all the more reason for us to get on the move and find Father Premule."

 

[dpdx]

"I concur with my friend's assessment, if not his intonation, Pelor bless him. Is everyone here? Is everyone with mount? Has anyone been to this river before, and if so, will the horses be useful, or are we better off on foot?"

Fendric gathers his things while waiting for the answers to his questions, and will set out on horseback or foot, as the concensus dictates.

 

[Guilt Puppy]

Hadural smiles at Nurthk's comment. "Actually, I know a few of the occupants who live in Bethel. Most moved to the Sharn valley, where farming's still good. I'm worried more about men from the ranks of those who captured Premule... But I doubt they'd expect us here."

"Let's walk careful, then," Hiritus adds in agreement with Fendric. "Have we enough horses to ride among us?"

The general sentiment in the room is yes. When heads are finished nodding, Lanatus completes the thought.

"I'm ready to leave, then. Gammons, you keep watch in back, between you there's the eyes and might to shield us from ambush."

Going outside, you find your horses undisturbed, and the town seems at least quiet. Riding through, there isn't much sign of life...

(However, do of course make some Spot checks.)

 

[Festy_Dog]

Nurthk remains somewhat vigilant as they ride, keeping quite and concentrating on the task ahead.

Spot result: 15

 

[Uriel]

(However, do of course make some Spot checks.)

Spot Check roll 18+ 5=23.

 

[Uriel]

OoC:dpdx, I didn't get your character as far as changing 3.0 to 3.5 etc...
bluehead69@yahoo.com

 

[dpdx]

[Just sent it, Uriel. I got laid off two Fridays ago, so between looking for a job, and other stuff, it's been more difficult. Sorry for the delay.]

Fendric mounts up, and stays toward the middle of the procession, eager but not practiced to note any disturbances in town, which strikes him as eerie.

[Spot: 11 +2 +1 = 14]