Storms of Change [IC]

[silentspace]

Adromon’s glaive sat in its own stirrup-like cup, resting against Narthail’s side. He had to steady it with his hand to keep it from wobbling about too much, but at least it was in easy reach. The glaive, combined with his psionic powers, had proven to be a formidable combination on the battlefield. It would be especially useful mounted on a horse, he realized, giving him reach over the horse’s head if he needed it. He felt ready to face the future.

He was running late, having circled around the hills to avoid a large band of orcs he had seen in the distance. Luckily, he had managed to avoid them, and make it to the caravan stop safely. As he crossed the Rillathane Bridge, he saw the caravan had already stopped and set up for the night. There were many humans and demi-humans about, eating dinner as they kept watch. There were also a couple dead human bandits lying on the ground, and several more tied up and gagged. Amazingly, there were two centaurs, those rare, almost-mythical creatures there that almost never traveled in civilized lands, standing near a central well. The centaurs were surrounded by a somewhat motley crew of humans and demi-humans, sporting a wide variety of different gear.

He saw a group of what were clearly armored caravan guards heading towards the stairs by the cliff, about to head down to the Riverfolk Brewery and Inn, which Adromon had seen from the bridge. He spurred his horse forward, hailing them.

 

[Chaos Apostate]

The halfling, after ordering his pie with success, goes to see the newcomer, smiling all the while. "Hi there, Alyssa is it ? I'm Filbert Wateryfoot, at your service. I heard you were wondering about the centaurs. They are just travellers, coming back from a meeting with other woodland creatures, or so they say. But enough about them, what about you ? Let me guess: you received a letter from someone of House Dharnan telling you to meet them in Carodan ?"

A look of surprise crosses Alyssa's face, and she seems on her guard, unsure whether she should be talking about it. I... Yes. Did you receive the same letter?

 

[mpickett81]

Adromon, human psychic warrior

Adromon observed the caravan from a distance, at first. "Certainly an odd group of travellers," he thought. But Adromon knew that the trials he had been seeking would not lie in an ordinary group of adventurers. Besides, the mysterious letter he had received certainly piqued his interest. Adromon spurred his horse forward, in the direction of the caravan.
Upon reaching the group, Adromon addressed the company at large, unsure of which one (if any) lead the caravan. "I suppose I arrived a bit too late," Adromon states coldly, observing the slain and captured bandits, "but I was avoiding some orc raiders in the hills. My name is Adromon and I understand you're looking for a mercenary that can pull his weight."

 

[silentspace]

The bound spellcaster struggles as he watches Manzanita pick up his spellbook, then gives up, resigned to his fate. Manzanita retires to a quiet spot and spends some time studying the book. It’s a pretty standard leather-bound book, a little rough around the edges. If she continues traveling like this, she realizes her book is going to get a little worn too.

After a while, she is able to decipher the following spells: Shield, Shocking Grasp. There are three other two-page spells that she is not able to decipher at this time. She ignores all the one-page spells, as she probably has all the cantrips in her spellbook already (She knows all of them).

She also helps herself to a shortbow and two 20-arrow quivers.

Devan examines the mighty composite shortbow. It’s well-made, built of wood and bone wrapped tightly with some sort of animal-gut cord. He grabs some of the arrows to make some practice shots. The arrows hit the trees with satisfyingly solid thunks!

Alan, Dunathar, and Etherial put the studded leather barding on their horses. All the sets of barding are the same faded black. Sturdy Stalthas chuckles as he sees Dunathar with his horse. Who ever heard of a dwarf riding a horse? “Oi! Sir Dwarf! Come talk to me later, when your watch is over, eh? We might have something to talk about!”

OOC: The party has seven horses now, the same number as there are sets of barding. No one else wants them?

At first, Dunathar wanted to take the masterwork studded leather armor for himself. It was designed for a human, but it would still fit him well. He could have it altered too. He had definitely wanted it at first, but now he sits down and thinks. His chain shirt protected him well. The studded leather would be less hindering. Options, options.

Zanock, Bert, Rowyn, and Aronai have decided to take nothing, each for their own reasons.

 

[silentspace]

Darien approaches Adromon, and offers him four gp for one day of service to Carodan. Adromon didn’t say he was only going to Carodan, but Darien, after meeting all the others heading there, now suspects that anyone he’s likely to meet will be wanting to go to Carodan and no further.

 

[GPEKO]

Bert

I... Yes. Did you receive the same letter?

Filbert grins. "Ah ah ! I knew it !" His voices lowers somewhat. "I know it seems weird but it appear the Dharnans have sent quite a few of these letters. I have one, Aronai has one, Rowyn, the gnome over there, has one... Actually, I think everyone in the "rear guard" has one. I guess we'll see what this is all about when we get to Carodan."

 

[Verbatim]

Dunathar

Alan, Dunathar, and Etherial put the studded leather barding on their horses. All the sets of barding are the same faded black. Sturdy Stalthas chuckles as he sees Dunathar with his horse. Who ever heard of a dwarf riding a horse? “Oi! Sir Dwarf! Come talk to me later, when your watch is over, eh? We might have something to talk about!”

Looking up at the ever-smiling dwarf, Dunathar nodded his head and returned his gaze back to the gear before him.

~Now this is more like it...first pick of the spoils...~

At first, Dunathar wanted to take the masterwork studded leather armor for himself. It was designed for a human, but it would still fit him well. He could have it altered too. He had definitely wanted it at first, but now he sits down and thinks. His chain shirt protected him well. The studded leather would be less hindering. Options, options.

Deciding to trust his luck with his training, Dunathar pulled off the chain mesh shirt and tried the leather jerkin. The smell left something to be desired, but the fit wasn't too bad.

[~Not bad...not bad at all...~]

Looking over towards the halfling priest, Dunathar saw that he was once again talking to a stranger. Wondering how many other "guards" they would gain before the trip was completed, he grabbed the chain shirt and walked over towards him.

"You may need this before it is all said and done. I'm not much on faith, but I'm thinking even priests aren't in too big of a hurry to meet their maker. It may be a little big, but any smith worth his beard can fix it up for you easily."

Walking away before he changed his mind, Dunathar approached Sturdy and nodded his head in greetings.

"I've got awhile before my watch, and I'm thinking a mug of ale and some stew would help me pass the time."

Not one for small talk, Dunathar hoped Sturdy would remember he had asked to talk to him.

 

[Thels]

Zanock eyes the newcomer a little before he approaches him, his face looking far from happy, his teeth quite revealing: "You see orcs so you think bandits? You sure you want work with me?"

 

[mpickett81]

Adromon accepts the offer of four gold. He then turns to Zanock, at first returning his stare with a severe, composed look. He then speaks. "Of course, I appreciate that there are exceptions to the norm. But if you think it wise to ride alone into the path of an unknown war party, be my guest." Adromon then turns away from the orc, heading towards the stew pot, his stomach growling from a long day of riding.

 

[Chaos Apostate]

Filbert grins. "Ah ah ! I knew it !" His voices lowers somewhat. "I know it seems weird but it appear the Dharnans have sent quite a few of these letters. I have one, Aronai has one, Rowyn, the gnome over there, has one... Actually, I think everyone in the "rear guard" has one. I guess we'll see what this is all about when we get to Carodan."

"Curious... and nobody's been able to shed any light on just what this is all about, I take it? It seems strange. I wonder why we've been picked? Oh well!" Alyssa smiles and shrugs, turning to look at the view from the bridge. "I'm not going to look this gift horse in the mouth. It's just the excuse I've been waiting for to put some excitement into my life. Stepping into the unknown... this is what life's all about."