Planetouched Peril

[Isida Kep'Tukari]

*The strange rabbit merely begins to start munching on the grass, regarding Jabin with his dark brown eyes. Then it goes over and gently touches the tip of its horn to Jabin's nose. After that it continues to eat contendedly. Later than evening the rabbit crawls into Jabin's lap and falls asleep.*

*In the morning, Jabin wakens Pharos so that he can complete his morning devotions to Pelor, and the pilgrims wake not too long after that. They break their fast with bread, something out of a jar, and tea. The rest of you can get pastries in town for a few copper, or a heartier breakfast of eggs and sausage for a silver at the Savory Platter.*

*Mid-morning the pilgrims are getting ready to go, saddling up the horses, hitching up the wagons, and other various tasks. But as this is happening, you all hear something coming up the road. It sounds like a horse going at a breakneck pace. You can see the puffs of dust from the rider as he comes up the road. He stops at the gate and frantically gestulates to the guards, and then hurridly let him through. His horse pounds straight for the pilgrims, and he waves wildly as he draws close to the fence.*

"Brother Pharos, I must speak to Brother Pharos!" he calls. The man is wearing an elaborate tabard with Pelor's symbol, unusually surmounted by a crown, stitched in golden thread.

"That's the symbol of the Daughter of the Sun," Pharos says, stunned, as he trots Goldfire over to the messenger. They speak for a minute, and then the messenger hands Pharos a scroll. Pharos reads it quickly, and nods, his face hard. Then he trots back over to everyone else.

"My new friends, I am grieviously sorry, but I must leave you. The Daughter of the Sun has called me to Andeluvay on something of dire importance to my faith, and I must go. I know you will do well with the pilgrims, so don't worry, the blessings of Pelor are upon you," Pharos says with a sad smile, making a gesture of blessing over everyone.

*He quickly goes to Father Parab, and hands him the scroll, rapidly explaining. Parab furrows his brow, but nods in agreement and claps Pharos on the shoulder. Pharos grabs the last of his gear, and prepares to leave on Goldfire.*

"Farewell my friends!" he calls, and then thunders down the road.

 

[Rhia]

Azure, Radiance Genasi Bard 1

*As her shift ends and Pharos wakens the next crew, Azure finds her bedroll a welcome site. She finds herself deeply tired after a full day of riding and talking with so many new people. As she drifts into sleep, she idly wonders that she did not see Jabin with the pie. Perhaps a raccoon made off with it.*

*As the sun peeps over the horizon, Azure flutters her eyes open. Feeling somewhat disoriented, she feels the hard ground beneath her bedroll, though she's young enough to not find much discomfort in the arrangement. Rising, she stretches her arms high above her and fingers through her loose hair. She takes a few minutes to gently pluck at her lute. She feels her body renew with magical energy as she concentrates in the rising sun.*

*Once she gathers her things, bundling them together under a tree, she makes her way toward town. She greets each person she sees with a warm smile and a friendly, "Good morning to you." Azure makes her way back to the Savory Platter to find something to break fast with.*

*Having enjoyed her morning food, she seeks out the 'keeper to give him/her her compliments, "You have treated me well. I look forward to enjoying this place with the low tables again." With that Azure makes her way back to camp, finds Cherry Blossom, compliments the horse on how fine she looks, and rides around the camp. She's somewhat surprised how well she's recooperated from her aching muscles the day before.*

*She watches as the rider comes clamoring into town, taking Pharos away with him. This can't be good. A group needs a leader. Who.. ? Azure looks around at her companions, not knowing any of them well enough to know who among them is a natural leader. I suppose it will naturally come out when the time arises. She guides Cherry to Father Parab.*

"This is but one obstacle. Have heart, things will be well," Azure gives the Father a warm smile.

 

[Fangor the Fierce]

*As morning breaks, Ashlie finds that the hard ground was not very good on her back. She really must remember that this new job is more demanding the the last. With that, she looks around and finds that Shilo had been up before her, running around the camp, sniffing here and there. When Shilo comes up to where Earth Hammer is, she can see that they have taken note of each other in the previous day and Shilo has taken to her new steed.*

*Stretching her arms, and running her fingers through her hair to get any grass and twigs out, she notices that Jabin is carrying something that must be delicate, for it is in his hands and shown great care. A little intrigued, she decides to walk over to him, to get a better look.*

"And what have you found that warrants such delicate care?"

(If he shows her) *Seeing the new creature in his hands, Ashlie is a little taken back by the sight. Speaking in common, she asks the creature a simple question of if it has a name. Seeing no response, she will then ask the same question in different languages, to see if it reacts differently.*
(Common, Halfling, Elven and Undercommon).

*After ther new creature being discovered, her stomach begins to make noises. It seems as though breakfast is needed. With that, she heads back to the Savory Platter with Azure to get a quick breakfast. She will ask the Halflings a question about the bandit attacks. She will inquire as to if the bandits attack, do they try and harm the wagons, or simply hold them up without attacking and killing the convoys. She thanks them for their warning of the roads ahead, and bids them farewell. She asks for a few apples if they have any, for Earth Hammer.*

*Upon returning to the camp, she just witnessed Pharos heading back in the direction they just came from the previous day. "What happened?" She asks Azure, as she is the only one that she has had contact with earlier today. After being filled in, she knows that his qualities will be sorely missed.*

Someone must take charge of this group, or it will lead to a disaster waiting to happen.

*With that, she walks over to Father Parab and says, "His presence will be missed, but I am sure that we can take care of this task at hand without him. I have also learned a little of the roads ahead. It seems as though the town here has quite a bit of work for wagon repairs from the rough roads ahead due to the summer storms and rutted roads. If possible, does anyone here have skill with repairing wagons on the road? If not, then they should take caution on these parts."

*She walks over to the group of adventurers, and speaks to them out of the earshot of the Pilgrims.*

"There are tales of bandit attacks ahead. 2 days ride west. The storms have also made the roads rutted and wagon repairs have this town busy from it. We should take it slow there, but that would be a prime place for an ambush from those bandits. I see two choices. We can head out and try to make it through the bad roads at a good speed, hoping that the bandits are outrun, or we can play into the minds of the bandits. We can set up the convoy to appear helpless, thus the bandits will underestimate the convoy, and simply ride up demanding payment or their goods. Once they are under the impression that the Pilgrims are helpless, we can then spring an attack on them. I feel we should warn the rest, but I have not let the Pilgrims know yet. I feel that we should come up with a strategy first and then present the info to the Pilgrims. Otherwise, if we go to them and tell them that there may be an attack, and we do not have a plan set up yet, they could lose faith in our abilities."

 

[Isida Kep'Tukari]

*The halflings at the Savory Platter are quite happy to have Ashlie and Azure again. The innkeeper beams at the radiance genasi's comments.*

"I'm glad you enjoyed us m'lady! Tell people about us in your travels, if you wouldn't mind, we could always use the business!"

*Ashlie, you hear from the halflings that the bandits are more robbers that raiders, that is they are simply after the goods rather than blood. Usually they just force everyone off of their horses and wagons and drive off with them. However, they have wounded guards before when people didn't agree to their demands quickly enough.*

*Back at the campsite, Father Parab listens to Ashlie's warnings and questions with great care.*

"He will be missed, but he is a good young man. He was called by duty, and duty must be honored above all.

"I do appreciate you finding out about the roads. We do have a couple people that know the trade of the cartwright, and we do have repair supplies, but such things are not quick to effect. We will be in your care if the wagons become disabled. But we would rather go slow and spare the wagons and horses, as I'm sure you are all a match for a band of ruffians."

 

[Temujin]

Saku wakes to the first sounds of birds chirping, the sun having yet to rise.

Gathering his bedroll he puts all his belongings away and bgins his morning enxercises, his actions marred by the knots and twists that have taken up residence in his back and shoulders.

His mind drifts to the rabbit the night before, as his stomach starts to growl.

The camp starts to rouse as the first rays of sunlight pierce the horizon, and the sky takes on a orange hue.

Stirring the smoldering fire, he nods to those on watch, and heads to his pack to break out a few rations. After feeding his horse and himself, he decides to head into the small town to fill his belly with more filling fare.

 

[Temujin]

* Heading back to camp after grabbing a quick bite to eat, Saku sees Pharos walking to his horse, preparing to ride. *

It is a shame he must leave. He was a good companion.

Shaking his head, Saku closes the distance to the camp, and hear's the tail-end of Ashlie's idea.

"What if they decide to shoot first and ask questions later? Chances are, they know these woods, and can outdistance us easily, and if they decide that a dead traveller is better off then a helpless one?" He says, a grim look on his face.

 

[Fangor the Fierce]

"What if they decide to shoot first and ask questions later? Chances are, they know these woods, and can outdistance us easily, and if they decide that a dead traveller is better off then a helpless one?" He says, a grim look on his face.

"The halflings warned that they only attacked the wagons when the convoy resisted. If they think the convoy is unarmed, then they would be relaxed, and not ready for the surprise attack. Are you in fear of them? What is there to fear?"

*Ashlie begins a series of slight coughs, seemingly trying to repress them.*

"Well, I guess we have more time to talk about this on the road. Come, let us not keep the Pilgrims waiting."

*With that, she heads over to Earth Hammer and feeds him an apple from the Halflings.* (In Elven)"Here you go boy, it seems as though good hospitality should be extended to you as well. Your resolve may soon be tested and I am sure you will shine."


OOC - I forgot to do this while eating breakfast, but Ashlie would have paid a halfling youth to run to the general store and purchase a bedroll for her. If not possible, then oh well.

 

[Rhia]

Azure, Radiance Genasi Bard 1

*After filling Ashlie in on the morning's startling events, she follows her around as she speaks to Parab and gathers the companions together. Realizing she's the only one on horseback already, she hops off of Cherry Blossom, coming to stand by her nose, stroking her as the dust genasi speaks.*

Ashlie seems competent and steady. Perhaps she has the strength of will to emerge as a leader. Azure appraises the woman as she suggests two plans of action. Saku walks up at adds his opinion with concern over appearing helpless. Speaking up in her smooth voice, Azure adds to the discussion, "Though I am no strategic mind, I find Ashlie's ruse of helplessness to make sense."

*Having said all she has to contribute at this point, she strokes the horse and feeds her a scrap of apple she begged off Ashlie earlier. As the group breaks up, Azure re-mounts her seat and falls inline on the left side of the middle wagon once under way.*

 

[Isida Kep'Tukari]

*Finishing your mounting up, as well as feeding your mounts, you finally get on the road again. Earth Hammer twitches both his ears again at Ashlie's use of Elven, and accepts the apple with enthusiasm. The pilgrims seem to accept the loss of Pharos fairly stoically, and press onward into the day.*

*The roads do indeed get somewhat rutted as you travel farther west, but the pilgrims push on carefully and slowly, levering the wagons out of the ruts if they get trapped. Two days pass in this manner, and you all become somewhat on edge, expecting an attack that hasn't come yet.*

*What questions did you want to ask the pilgrims during these two days? What precautions are you taking?*

[OOC - Ashlie, you can get that bedroll with no problem.]

 

[Fangor the Fierce]

*The roads do indeed get somewhat rutted as you travel farther west, but the pilgrims push on carefully and slowly, levering the wagons out of the ruts if they get trapped. Two days pass in this manner, and you all become somewhat on edge, expecting an attack that hasn't come yet.*

*What questions did you want to ask the pilgrims during these two days? What precautions are you taking?*

OOC - I would like to know what kind of scenery they are surrounded by and what they see ahead before going into our precautions...