Storms of Change [IC]

[Thels]

Zanock looks at the performances from a corner of the room, meanwhile digesting a plate of common food. Though Song and Lute doesn't thrall him like Sticks and Drums would, he does listen with some mild interest. Occasionally, he looks around the room, trying to find any individuals that are, like him, sitting by themselves in a far corner.

 

[Seonaid]

The crowd's reaction to the half-elves, as well as the one's gentle chiding to give Rowyn more money, annoy her more than perhaps they should. However, when the one begins his performance, her irritation is swept away and she can hardly contain her eagerness to speak with them. "That was a lovely, absolutely lovely, performance!" She grins broadly at the two.

 

[GPEKO]

Bert

Filbert claps loudly after Merin's performance, all his gloom gone now. "Bravo !! That was really great !"

As the half-elves join their table, Filbert extend an hand and presents himself, "I'm Filbert Wateryfoot, a wandering devotee of Fharlanghn travelling to Carodan. Sadly, these days, I can only do the "wandering" part as a caravan guard. And even with such a numberous group, it's not safe. We were attacked last night by a large group of hobgoblins and ogres ! Happily, some of us are experienced warriors and I'm still alive and able to tell you this story."

 

[Seonaid]

Rowyn smiles at Bert's enthusiasm, and turns to the half elves with almost as much excitement.

 

[silentspace]

Zanock sits alone, surveying the crowd, less interested than the others in such delicate-sounding music. He doesn’t see anyone else sitting alone, or anything else unusual. Mirena is not to be seen tonight. Maybe she went to bed early.

“Well,” Merin smiles at Manzanita, “a secretive type I see. I’m Merin, and this is my brother Gremin. Radigan must seem quite densely packed compared to Masar. We get pretty comfortable here, all squeezing together inside these ancient walls. Still, it’s far safer here then most other places, with the exception perhaps of Castle Rogan, outside of Masar.”

“And thank you, dear gnome, for the compliment,” Merin says, turning to Rowyn. If he noticed Rowyn’s annoyance earlier, he gives no indication of it. “You’re quite a performer yourself. I suspect we didn’t catch your best performance either.”

When Filbert gives his name, the two shake his little hand heartily. And when he mentions the ambush, a look of concern crosses both Merin and Gremin’s faces. Merin says, “Hobgoblins and ogres! I’m glad you survived!”

Then Graem, Sheila and Evendil introduce themselves, and tell the Norns of House Dharnan’s withdrawal from the Knights of Shillen, and their theories about it.

Merin replies. “Well, it’s true that House Dharnan must be much poorer than they used to be. A couple decades ago they were Shillen’s Royal Family. Two years ago they were Rogan’s Ducal Family. Now they are landless, except for their family estates and properties. But they are no longer collecting taxes from the people. That’s bound to have impacted them. I’m sure House Hulvan will make fine dukes, but House Dharnan will be missed.”

Gremin joins in “I wonder why they headed west though. Northwest of Mintra is Keldric Hall, the great Dwarven stronghold. Southwest is Sycamore Falls, the wealthy Gnomish domain. Further to the west, across the Diamond Mountains are the Hanin Kingdoms.”

Darien is off talking to various mercenary types.

It’s 9 PM, and Etherial excuses himself to go rest, saying he needs to regain his spells. The caravan will be leaving at 8 AM.

 

[silentspace]

It’s a good night at the tavern, with plenty of drinking and carousing all around. The strangers who had joined you all move on to greet other friends, but return to bid you farewell at the end of the night. The Norn brothers tell you to come back soon. (I’ll assume everyone exchanged names, unless someone doesn’t want to.)

The next morning, as the caravan is getting ready to leave, Bert and Alan spot Mavdeno moving among the horses. She seems to be petting and talking to them. She sees Bert and Alan watching her, and smiles warmly at them before moving to her carriage.

When Darien arrives he gives Bert, Etherial and Rowyn one potion of cure light and 10 gp each. To Dunathar, Alan and Zanock, he gives 60 gp. He had also found a new driver for Glendrake, and two new mounted guards as well. The new guards looks like veteran soldiers.

Over the night, the dark storm clouds have continued to gather. They roll across the sky in massive slow billows as the caravan leaves Radigan and heads north.

The rain starts to fall mid-morning. Everyone covers themselves with cloaks and hats if they have them. The terrain grows hilly, but the verdant green is mostly obscured. (Thels - No Daylight.) You wonder how slowly you would be moving if you were mired down in the soggy ground instead of being on the Trade Road.

As the day slogs on into the afternoon, Devan makes out a group of humanoids approaching from the rear. The rain and mist make it hard to make out clearly. There appear to be about eight of them, about the size and shape of humans mounted on horses. Devan thinks its safe to assume they can see you, as the caravan is much larger and louder. The creatures are spotted 150 feet behind the caravan, approaching you on the Trade Road slowly. (The caravan is moving at 35 feet, the creatures are approaching at about 50 feet.) You figure you’ll be able to make out their features more clearly at 100 feet.

Status:
No Daylight
Zanock – 5 damage (7/12)

 

[Thels]

While travelling, Zanock watches the wounds on his body, smiling as he thinks about what nice battlescars they will leave.

 

[Seonaid]

Rowyn smiles and promises the half-elves she will return as soon as she can.

She thanks Darien for the potion, saying, "I hope this won't be necessary, but preparation never hurts."

Rowyn will sit in the rear guard post, if no one else wants to. She thanks Fharlangan she isn't completely out in the rain, and hopes Sabala and the others are doing okay. When the travellers are spotted, she strains her eyes to make out more detail, but gives up after a moment. She will wait until they come closer, and if they seem hostile will then draw her crossbow and load it in preparation.

 

[GPEKO]

Bert

Bert tries to lift the spirit of those who don't like the rain. "At least we won't be thirsty today." Bert is once again happy to be on the road. Rain and mud ... yeah, those are supposed to be the problems on the road. Not hobgobelin bandits !

After hearing the warning of the archer, Bert draws his crossbow. He hopes those riders are not foes.

OOC : a few things. First, I did request for the potion in the OOC thread. Second, Bert would have used 3 cure minor on himself (bringing him to full hp) before going to bed. Third, I saw that shield of faith needs a piece of holy text as a material componant so here's Bert new 1st level spell selection : Entropic Shield (D), Magic Weapon, Obscuring Mist.

 

[silentspace]

OOC: GPEKO – No worries. Consider it done. I figured you’d want to do something along those lines.