Storms of Change, Part 2

[Manzanita]

Manzanita

Manzanita will help herself to a longsword and the long composite bow. She will also take bullseye lantern and 10 flasks of oil. "Trolls, eh?" she mumbles. "Oil we will need." Then more loudly. Thank you, warden. We will discuss, and probably set out in the morning. Can you provide us with a map, so we'll know where to head into the woods?"

To the others, "Any more thoughts on our direction. I doubt we will be able to avoid Gorukan scouts, given the size of our company and our horses. Danger lurks in every direction, but perhaps the bandits would make easier foes. I have no love for them either."

 

[Verbatim]

As Devan and Dunathar left out of the meeting to begin Devan's errand, something kept gnawing at Dunathar's subconscious.

~Why would they offer so much to us? Is there still more that we are not being told? Well, they will not be tricking me at the end of the day...~

Looking over to the silent human at his side, Dunathar was about to ask him his thoughts on the matter when he saw Glendrake, Thevin, and Mavdeno ahead of them.

His other question forgotten, he asked the obvious one instead.

"What do ye think they be doin' out here?"

 

[Hurricain]

"Not sure, but lets find out." Devan walks up to the familar trio. "Hello there we meet again, it's I Devan and my friend Dunathar."

 

[silentspace]

"Hello. Me? I'm... wait, what are you doing here? You're not working for me anymore, right? Darien said he needed to hire replacements for you. What do you want?"

Glendrake peers suspiciously at Devan and Dunathar.

 

[silentspace]

"Yes, Manzanita. Here is the map our scribe has prepared. The X is the location we believe Linace Keep is located. The map is fairly accurate. Or at least as accurate as any map of the wilderness can be, I suppose."

Ricsten puts a scroll-sized map on the table in front of you.

OOC: Scale is about 1"=10 miles

 

[Manzanita]

Manzanita

"Whew. It sure would save time to take the road a bit. It would be tough going, especially on horseback to go through the woods the whole way."

 

[GPEKO]

Bert

Filbert tries to get around the big people to see the map. When he finally does so, he chimes in. "Interesting ! I'm assuming those green circles are woods, right ? I've always love maps ... Aren't they're great ? Wonderful things, full of informations ... but anyway, I disgress. I propose two paths. The first is a 'fast' one, using the trade road and avoiding the woods, like so." Bert's finger moves on the map following the 'blue' path (see below). "The danger here is the Gorukans, if they are really attacking travellers from Shillen. We might indeed appear suspicious once we leave the road." He takes a short pause. "The second path I'm proposing is a more secret and less obvious path. Something like this." Bert traces an other path with his finger, the 'red' one. "The woods would protects us from 'civilized' dangers but we might get lost and who knows what we'll encounter there ?"

"I would take the fast way, but I'm not alone here. Anybody has more suggestions ?"

 

[silentspace]

"Aye," says Ricsten. "The forests are not too difficult to travel through if you stick to the game trails. If you leave the game trails, the going will be a bit slower. Most of these forests have a thick layer of undergrowth. You'll need those explorer's outfits to protect yourselves from brambles and such. Horses and dogs, with their natural armor, can get through most places, even the undergrowth. Of course there are some areas with thicker growth or other obstacles that make it more difficult to pass through, but you'll be able to make decent time through most of the forest. You would go faster if you skirted the forests, but you'll be more visible. Both forest and open ground have their advantages and disadvantages."

"Another way is heading west and then north, travelling along the Prin River valley. That will put you furthest from most Gorukan patrols, but your journey will be longer."

"By the way, the Prin River feeds into the Krin River. That's where the Rillathane Bridge is."

 

[Verbatim]

Dunathar

"Hello. Me? I'm... wait, what are you doing here? You're not working for me anymore, right? Darien said he needed to hire replacements for you. What do you want?"

Glendrake peers suspiciously at Devan and Dunathar.

Hoping that his companion has something clever up his sleeve, Dunathar looks to the buildings around him then back to the quasi-startled trio.

"Well, as it is our first night in town, we're out taking it all in."

That said, Dunathar looks to Devan to allow him to wrap things up.

ooc: Dunathar's not exactly a people person Devan...sorry

 

[Manzanita]

Manzanita

"It looks like the distance as the crow flies is only about 30 to 40 miles. We could make that in one day on a trail. It might be nice to only have to camp once before we get there. What if we took the trade route at first, claiming to be troll hunting for the rewards if we encounter Gorukan patrolls. Even they probably have no love of wandering trolls, and might not molest us. Then we could cut into the woods before nightfall, camp, and be there the next day."