Storms of Change [IC]

[Manzanita]

Manzanita Sparrow

An elf approaches the caravan in the morning. She is tall, and attractive, although the lines on her face would indicate that she doesn’t smile much. She is very blond for an elf, with golden skin, and yellow hair. She wears a simple cloak, a tunic of light grey, and her only apparent weapon is a quarterstaff strapped to her saddlebags.

"Is this caravan going to Caroden? I have business in that city and would like to accompany you, if you can pay. I am a wizard."

 

[Seonaid]

Rowyn regards the elf curiously and waits for Darien's answer.

 

[Thels]

"I'll ride today." Zanock pronounces when the group has gathered at the rear, leaving the seat in the wagon open for others. Perhaps there's some use in this piece of meat after all. It did came of use in that last battle.

He takes a quick look at the newcomer and nods, but ignoring her soon after.

 

[silentspace]

Darien, the leader of the guard, watches the beautiful elven woman approach. To Rowyn, he seems strangely different now, in the way that males tend to get around beautiful women. One of the guards flanking him (Rekar) spits in his hand and smooths out his hair, perhaps thinking this will impress the lady. The other guard flanking him (Mirik) merely pulls a cigar out of his pocket and lights it.

The first thing Manzanita notices about the guards is how badly beaten up they are. Darien looks like he's been beaten almost dead, and has bandages everywhere. The horse he’s sitting on has a huge bruise on its side, and is limping pretty badly. Rekar looks ok, but his horse is barely hobbling along. Mirik doesn’t look well either, and has blood splatters all over his armor.

Darien introduces himself. “Aye, I’ll hire you on. The rate for a mounted rider like yourself is 4 gp a day, or 12 gp when we arrive in Carodan, and a share of any loot we get.”

He studies Manzanita for a moment. “I have a feeling the rear guard is where you should be. That there is Rowyn, she can get you situated. Glad to have you aboard.” He shakes Manzanita’s hand. Rekar licks his lips and leers unconsciously as his eyes wander over her body. Mirik’s face is grim and expressionless, the thick cigar smoke floating away in the breeze.

 

[Hurricain]

OOC..gotcha.

Devan spots a caravan in the horizon. Thinking it would be better to travel with a group than alone he decides to go and speak with them. Gathering his breath , he rides up to the caravan.

A young man rides up to the group. He looks very young but his eyes tell you different , his shaggy blonde hair blows wildly in the wind. It's obvouis that he is trained with the bow by the way he carries it and the simple fact that one arm is quite larger than the other.

"Hello there, are you all going to Carodan? That's where I'm heading, Would you mind if I joined with you?

 

[Manzanita]

Manzanita Sparrow

Manzanita glances contemptuously at the guards, but nods in agreement to the wages offered. "It looks like you could use some support. I'm Manzanita Sparrow, and I'll do my best to protect this caravan against any misfortunes."

She then approaches Rowyn for any further direction.

 

[silentspace]

Darien smiles at Devan. “I could always use an archer! Yes, we’re going to Carodan. I’ll give you 12 gp when we arrive, and a share in any loot. Seems like we’re getting new recruits from all over the Duchy. If you’re interested, you can join the rear guard.”

The morning had started out sunny and warm, as the last few days have been, but the wind picks up as the day goes on, and you feel a slight sprinkling of wind-driven rain. The clouds darken above you, like you might get a downpour, a late summer shower, at any moment.

OOC Please post if anyone is taking the seat in the back of the rear wagon, where you can keep an eye out behind you.

 

[silentspace]

The morning gives way to the afternoon, when up ahead you see a small farming thorp to the right of the road. “That’s Dimlud Thorp,” Mirena says. “Sometimes we stop there. The Janisens have the best berry pies!”

As you get closer to the thorp, which only consists of five scattered farmhouses, it looks eerily deserted. Dimlud is off to the right about 600 feet from the road. From what you can see, there is absolutely no activity there. The only thing moving are a horse, a mule and several donkeys, spread out among the farmhouses. You also see several chickens and goats, but no people. As you get closer still, you see a bloody, butchered body lying on the doorstep of one of the houses. It could be a small person, or the child of a medium-sized person, you can’t tell from this distance. There are muttered gasps and curses all the way down the line. The caravan comes to a stop. One of the front guards rides to the farmhouse. Mirena turns to you, “That's the Janisen's house! Please find out if they’re ok!”

 

[Manzanita]

Manzanita Sparrow

Manzanita's eyes narrow. "The bastards. No where is safe."

She will dismount and pull out her quarterstaff, and cautiously wait for a group to gather to investigate.

 

[Seonaid]

Rowyn smiles at Manzanita, eyes sparkling with good humor despite their previous night. "Hello there! These people call me Rowyn, as do most non-gnomes. This here is the rear guard." She spreads her arm to encompass the group. "As you can see, we're fairly diverse. All Darien asks is that we do our part to protect the caravan. Most of us rear guard are new at this kind of thing." She shrugs. "It's not so bad, though we did get ambushed last night." Her voice lowers. "One of the drivers was killed, so the others might be a bit touchy or morose. Anyway, welcome and well met." She smiles again, broadly.