Storms of Change [IC]

GPEKO said:
"Ok, Rekar, so hobgobelin are dangerous and organized and all that. But it doesn't explain why he seems to hunt them with a passion. He said he specialized in them and, after killing some, I saw him make more marks on his saddle. Did he lost family to them or something ?"

Rekar turns to Bert “You saw that, did you?" He pets his mount's mane. "Well if you want to know Darien’s history, I reckon you should be asking him, not me.”
 

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Argent Silvermage said:
Etherial rides Spirit up to Darien, Forgive my not following you sir. I had not wanted to leave the main caravan without Magical protections.

Darien looks at Etherial “What? That’s right! You and Dunathar were supposed to ride out with me, not Rekar and Mirik! You wanted to protect the caravan you say? Alright, I... You stayed here? Hrm... I’ll deal with you later.”
 

Someone said:
I wonder why these tribes don´t just camp on the road and let the caravans come to them

OOC I don't remember anyone saying they didn't :D

Someone said:
"I though the army took care of these threats"

Rekar looks at the dwarf. "Ha! Is that why a chicken like you signed up to be a caravan guard? You thought the roads would be all cleared by the army?" He and Guard 2 (Mirik) start guffawing again, even making a few chicken clucking noises.

After a while he calms down. "In my parents day Shillen was a much safer place. The wars have weakened the army so much, especially here in Rogan. I'm sure you dwarves and elves and such remember! Throughout the Known World, Shillen was held up as an example of peace, prosperity, and good relations between the races! Nowadays, though, some say Shillen is close to falling. But those who say that are mostly cowardly types, like yourself and yonder elf there. Me and my squad don't believe that, and we'll fight to our last breaths to save it!"

Leaning in closer, he says "I wouldn't go making any nasty remarks about the army, you know. Most of us are veterans." The comment seems friendly enough, but there's also a hint of a threat under it.
 
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Seeing no one wants to address him, Glendrake grunts and goes back in his carriage. Before he closes the door you glimpse two other humanoid figures in the shadows, one medium sized and one smaller, but don't get a better look than that.
--
Its not long after everyone returns to their spot at the rear of the caravan when a message passes down from the front, called out from driver to driver. Mirena turns to repeat it to you. “Darien wants to see the new recruits up front.”

When you arrive at the front of the caravan, Darien speaks to you. “Me and my men have been reviewing your actions in the last battle, and I’m going to make some changes." He looks uncomfortable as he continues. "Alan, you look like cavalry, but you fight on foot! I admire your sense of honor, but a Code of Honor has no place in the mercenary life, see? At least you rode your horse into battle, so I’m willing to give you 5 gold, instead of 20. Zanock, I paid for cavalry, not infantry. But at least you looked willing to fight, so you’ll get 20 silver. Dunathar, you seem a bit afraid of hobgoblins, and warhorses too, so I’m not giving you anything. The same goes for you Etherial. I’m not gonna kick you out for disobeying orders. You can still ride with me to Carodan, and I’m only allowing that because Etherial had the good sense to come up to me and apologize. I'm only allowing Dunathar to stay because you guys seem to be getting along, and I hate to break up a unit.

"I don’t like going back on my word, but seeing as how you were out to trick me, it’s not like I’m really going back on my word now, is it? Either way, I’m not going to let the likes of you take advantage of me! Those are fair prices for your abilities, and you won’t find anyone who would say otherwise. By Ehlonna, if I wanted some lousy infantry, I could’ve picked some up anywhere! Infantry is useless to me anyway. By the time it takes to run the length of the caravan on foot, most battles would be over! And well, if I wanted help like Dunathar or Etherial, I could’ve made some scarecrows! Hell, the only reason I hired you lot in the first place was because of your war animals! Rowyn and Bert, you two are still ok by me. In fact, I want the both of you up front with me and my men. I don’t want you back there with that lot’s bad influences! The rest of you, get back to the rear.”

As you head back, Rekar calls out. “Don’t worry boys, if we get attacked from the rear, just come running up to us, and we’ll protect you, ok?”

You hear Darien mutter “Poor sods must be weak in the head or something, running away from a few hobgoblins when they’re riding such fine fighting animals. If they thought those hobgoblins were scary, what will they do if we run into anything that’s even a little bit challenging? How did they get those animals anyway? They certainly didn’t earn them as mercenaries, that much I know…”

At the front of the caravan, Darien invites Rowyn to sit on the first wagon, next to the driver. “It’s easier to see you up there,” he chuckles. “You’re the first of my new guards to make a kill. First to make a hit, actually!” He takes out a flask of whiskey and passes it around in celebration. Afterward, he gives Rowyn and Bert a potion of cure light (1d8+1) each. “Since it turns out we have less real guards than I thought we did, you might be needing those.” He seems very pleased with the little persons.

At the back of the caravan, Mirena once again invites someone to sit on the back of her wagon. “Did you guys see that shot I made?” She is very excited. “I was pretty good, wasn’t I? Where are Rowyn and Bert?”
 
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As evening approaches you arrive at the walled town of Flinock. The caravan enters a caravanserie. All the wagons and horses are taken care of. Darien pays for you to sleep in a common room with the other guards and drivers. (There is another inn available as well, or private rooms, if you want to do that instead.)

Darien, the guards and drivers all go to The Wagon, a tavern filled with other guards, drivers, and mercenary types.

Glendrake appears with his two companions. They go to The Fat Goose Tavern and Inn, which looks like a more upper class establishment.

There are also other taverns available. You need to report to the caravan first thing in the morning. Darien says in the morning Rowyn and Bert will join the rest in the back of the caravan again.
 

By the time you reach Flinock, Darien seems to have lost any anger that he might have had, and speaks jovially to all of you again. You can tell he's basically a good-natured man, though sometimes he seems troubled.
 

Shrughs! If he wants me to ride the horse, I'll ride the horse next time. Doesn't mean I'll fight better, but hey, he doesn't seem to care about that.

Zanock pretty much ignores the whole deal and sits out his time 'till evening where he takes a bed in the common room.
 

Bert

Filbert takes a shot of whiskey and greatfully accepts the healing potion. "Thanks, Darien, you sure know how to reward your man." He says and he takes some more whiskey. The slight state of shock that the halfling was after the fight quickly vanishes as the afternoon progresses. Soon, he's happily chatting with the various guards, the road having lifted his spirit (with some help of the whiskey).

As they arrive in Flinock, Bert remembers the discussion they were having just before Darien spotted the hobgobelins. My letter ! The others said they had received one too. That was odd. Maybe I should talk to Rowyn about it "Hey Rowyn ! Didn't you and some of the other new guards said that you received letters from house Dharnan ? What do you suppose they want from us ? It's not like any of us are well known or experienced ... at least I think so."

OOC : added the potion to my sheet
 

silentspace said:
Rekar looks at the dwarf. "Ha! Is that why a chicken like you signed up to be a caravan guard? You thought the roads would be all cleared by the army?" He and Guard 2 (Mirik) start guffawing again, even making a few chicken clucking noises.

OOC: Those were supposed to be Dunathar´s thoughts. In pbps normally bold or colored text are spoken; italics usually mean thinking. I´ll use that convention, unless you want us to use other one.
 

OOC: Someone> Thoughts are usually printed without " ", hence the confusion. I also thought you were saying that aloud.
 

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