(Casual D&D IV) A Knight for a Pawn

[Guilt Puppy]

[Any news of the fate of the killer? Our fondest hopes and prayers go to the young man left behind."

A response follows shortly:

"Kurj bonded, shows remorse. Rebuilding. Considering travel to Bethel. Shavah's men sent word. Some worry locally, Eivenrach preparing for battle, heavy politicking. Fond wishes, gratitude."

Lord Thedoric: [Why did you deceive us? Would have gladly carried your letters knowing you true. Premule seized, feared dead. Your letters delivered save two in Tourne.]

"I don't believe I ever intended deception. Those memories are cloudy... Age may have overtaken my wits. Thanks for your endeavors. A better world awaits."

 

[DrZombie]

(Since it's probably best to wait for Fendric's next round of sending to complete before we
move along the action, is there any gear you'd like to pick up in Corrige, or any other matters you'd like to pursue? It's a reasonably well-trafficked trading port, with a lot of accumulated odds and ends squirreled about, so there's quite a variety available to those willing to search things out.)

Besides a basic resupply of survival gear, Raven's still fine.

 

[Guilt Puppy]

Continuing on...

It is an uneventful travel West from Corrige, through Sudor Point and the fishing village Tulpa, leaving behind the Free Cities halfway through the second day. By the third morning's travel, as you ascend through the cliffs which line the border between Morel and the Minor Ashens, the road splits off into two, one end heading strong to the Southwest, the other dwindling into little more than a path as it holds the coast. Travel along the latter is not slowed greatly, and two more days pass peacefully.

On the fifth morning since Corrige, you encounter a small bundle in the middle of the road. Having not seen another soul on these roads since the fishermen of Tulpa, it is surprising on approach to recognize it as a parcel for you specifically: Seated in the ties of the loose assemblage is the symbol of Pelor, carved either quickly or skilllessly (or both) into a small disc of wood.

It is not rightly a package, but rather a stack of packages, eight hide-wrapped bundles square in shape, topped with a lace-tied pouch. Two taut lines of twine keep it held together, sewn among the lace of the pouch on top.

(Hope you don't mind that I did a few relevant but not great consequential rolls based on estimates of abilities, but didn't want to bog down the movement forward with miscellaneous checks.)

 

[dpdx]

Not at all.

Fendric stops the careful forward progress of Vespers approximately 10 feet away from the packages. Dismounting, he starts to walk up to inspect the package.

But before he can close even half the distance, a hand gently but firmly grabs his shoulder. It is Hiritus, and he is staring intently at the packages with his detect evil on.

"Don't go any closer, Brother, until I can confirm the absence of taint."

"I appreciate your concern, but right there -" A finger shoots out at the package's wooden disc, "is the symbol of the Radiant Light."

"It looks like a child drew it. I've seen better renditions at the Orphanage in Bethel..."

"Do you think they knew the religions of each of us, Hiritus? Is there perhaps a bundle further down the stack with a Cudgel, or one with that dead old Salamander god Oliver worships?"

"It could be from a church, I suppose, in which case they've all got the Sun, as a gift courtesy of the Church of Pelor..."

"This is ridiculous, Hiritus! Has your sight unveiled nefarious purposes, or has it not?"

 

[Guilt Puppy]

There is no evil to be found among the bundle.

 

[dpdx]

"No, looks fine. Proceed."

Fendric walks forward and studies the top bundle, looking for a place to start untying it. Presuming he can find one, he works to detach the top package.

 

[doghead]

Xiao Yu, male human monk

Xiao, oblivious to the discussion between Hiritas and Fendric, trots ahead towards the bundle. He does a complete circle of it, keeping his distance. If he notices something, he points it out to the others. If not, he takes a moment to scan the surrounding area for possible dangers. Once again, if he sees something, he will draw the others attention to it, with frantic improvised sign language if silence seems important.

But if everything seems quiet, Xiao drifts away from the bundle to keep an eye on things while the others decide what to do. The symbol, crude as it is, is familier enough to Xiao by now. The bundle was not ment for him. Of course, whether it was ment for anyone, or anyone in the party is another question. And if proved to be so, it raises a whole bunch of new questions.

Xiao sighs. He prefers answers to questions. The Master was always asking questions. He answered questions with questions. It was very irritating.

- OOC -
Spot +7, Listen +9.
No problem here either.

 

[Guilt Puppy]

It takes a moment to find how to loose the ties, which have been drawn extremely tightly, but once the right loop is pulled it all comes loose easily, and the whole arragement hops and shakes a little with the release of all that pressure. As it settles again, the clinking sounds coming from the package up top are clearly recognizable as those of coin.

Upon full accounting, the top pouch is found to contain 17 gold pieces, and a small assortment of jewelry of uncertain value, and a small note: "Wear these plainly for safe passage." The eight square bundles below each contain a yellow scarf, in addition to about three days worth of food items: Cured salmon, a few hard rolls of bread, and some sort of fresh fruit that looks like tiny oranges.

 

[doghead]

Xiao Yu, male human monk.

Xiao drifts in slowly as the bundles are unwrapped. He keeps his distance though staying out of people's way.

When the purpose of the scarf's are made clear, Xiao takes one and sniffs it. If it seems harmless, Xiao wraps it around his neck.

"Its nice and warm. Who left it? Is it for us?"

 

[Festy_Dog]

"It would seem to be for us," Nurthk said, scanning their surroundings with bow in hand, "I wonder how many groups of eight travellers with significant ties to Pelor would be on this road."