Greenest

Ty settled back against the sideboard of the wagon he had slipped into and wondered what the hells he had been thinking. Life had not been great in Waterdeep, but being on the open road was for the birds! Ty liked things fast. He liked to feel his pulse pounding in his veins and the twitch of his fingers anticipating a score. On the streets, you always had to look over your shoulder whether it be for the Watch or another worker trying to use you to get ahead. Open skies and easy travel bored him; bored was not a good look on him.

He looked down at the clothes he'd chosen. At the time, he thought the gray stained leather had looked fine. Gray and muted browns were good colors. Black made you stand out almost as much as wearing peacock feathers, but gray was a good color. People forgot about it right after they looked at it. His friend Mot the Beggar told him to buy some armor if Ty was dead set on this fool's escapade of his. Mot had found him when he was just a kid on the streets and brought him into the guild. It wasn't that Mot was kind or anything, but he was exactly what a five year old kid who's mother had just succumbed to the fruits of her own vices needed. Even as Ty had grown up in the guild, he still felt like he owed the old man something.

The leather armor he'd bought(bought?! The indecency!) still felt strange. Ty was used to more supple fabrics. Movement was a necessity in his trade. All in all, the armor wasn't that bad; it would just take some getting used to. He tightened the straps on the vam brace on his left forearm and made sure the knife he'd laced on to the strap was secure. You always needed a back door. Sure, some ruffian watchman or alley basher might find his short sword on his hip or even the daggers; one on his right thigh and the other angled left on his belt at the small of his back, but a knife on the wrist might be passed over and that was an edge that could save your life.

Ty sighed and ran a hand through his mouse brown hair. He adjusted the gray kerchief around the bottom half of his face. It wasn't particularly dusty, but the air was way too clean for his taste. It needed some back alley seasoning or it just was not right. If this was what the world outside the city looked like, smelled like, then they could keep it.

One of the caravan guards rode up and kicked the back of the wagon.

"Oi" ,he said, looking down at Ty distastefully, "what did I tell you about riding in the wagons?! If you ain't paid, you walk! Now, get out of there before I run you off."


Ty smirked at the man. He gave him a mock salute and vaulted out of the wagon in a single fluid motion. He glided between the horses and carts, every now and then looking over his shoulder. The guard watched him for a long moment before continuing on with his circuit. Ty shook his head and made a rude gesture in the guard's direction. The nerve! Like a person should have to pay for the privilege of taking a load off. He dropped his pace to match that of the wagons. No reason he should exert himself any more than he had to.

It has been a couple of years since he had left the minstrel life for the church. After two years as an acolyte, the church has sent him out in the world, to bring the light of Lathander wherever evil hid in the darkness.

It all sounded very dramatic and important at the time. Now, a month later, it seems like endless travelling. At least he doesn't have to walk, the entertainers were glad to let him ride with them in exchange for some singing and lute playing...plus I think they are comforted to have someone in armour traveling with them.

It was good to perform again, he loved the crowds. His green cloak over his scale mail was getting dusty, he needed to keep up appearances. One of the knife jugglers also cut hair on the side, so his red hair and beard were cut nice and short.

He has talked to a few people in the caravan about Lathander, but only if they approached him first, he didn't want to raise tensions. Caravans worked better when everyone got along.

Keeping pace with big people has never been easy for the gnome. Luckily there had been enough to see and study along this trip that Clarice didn’t really mind; and as a bonus her friend, a fellow gnome by the name of Uriza, was waiting in Greenest for her arrival.

Walking along side one of the many wagons in the caravan, Clarice had passed her time conversing with others, collecting interesting flora, and entertaining small groups whenever they camped for the evening. A gift that runs in her family, she developed her story telling skills early in life, and later combined those skills with the magic she studied. Nothing sets the mood like a well timed prestidigitation to awe the audience!

Now, however, she was watching another’s story unfold as an apparent stowaway was being booted from his ride. Watching the man gracefully dismount she looked up to the wagon next her. For the first time during the trip her legs were starting to ache.

"Not a bad idea, that. I bet I could sneak on and no one would be the wiser."

A sly smile crossed her face and she schemed on how to get aboard...

Elceran trailed behind the caravan. Preferring the grass to the well traveled road, he walked to the side and observed the various comings and goings. Noting the mischief makers, the wealthier that wouldn't miss a coin or two, and the ones like him with not much but what they carry. Walking this far back also had the benefits of keeping out of notice of the guards while he ate a recently acquired apple. To him, it wasn't really stealing if people had more than they could use anyway.

That fellow is getting scolded yet again. If he was more careful, he wouldn't get caught so much. he thinks idly to himself. I see the little one has a similar idea. Best of luck to you.

After tossing his finished snack to the side, he picks up his pace to filter through the crowd and find something else to snack on.

Grim was never fond of people or crowds for the most part, and usually kept to himself. He's been this way since he could remember, but when traveling in the open long distances, its usually a good idea to be in a group. Strength in numbers and all that. Standing barely 6' tall in his dark traveling clothes, he follows the group near the back of the group, not too close, and yet not too far that someone might get an idea to pick him off.

Its been a while since he's been to a town, but being a bit low on supplies he's figured it be best to restock. You can only go on for so long eating berries and whatever wild game you can find to eat. Besides, he has gear that he's not too fond off and is thinking of selling. The longbow on his back is ok if he needs to attack something off in the distance, but he much prefers to use the whip nested on his waist. The hand axes in his backpack on the other hand seem useless to him and doesn't quite like the feel of using them.

Her thoughts clearly centered on her friend's well-being, Clarice rushes forward, weaving through the flow of those in retreat. "Move!" she yells, just barely dodging what would have been a face full of knee, "My friend needs my help!"

After a few more close calls, and a fair share of bruises, Clarice manages to work her way forward and is awe-struck at the site before her. "Hang on Uriza, and be safe.".

As others step forward her confidence increases. "I might not be able to knock heads, but I have a few tricks up my sleeve."

Elceran starts forward along the side of the road upon seeing the dragon. Reaching the front quicker than most, he makes note of his seeming companions as they arrive.
"Well the old man at the monastery said I should go do some good in the world, I suppose this is a start."

People are going to need healing, or burial prayers.

He says a prayer, gets his spells in his mind, grabs his crossbow, and starts running to the town.

Let's go, those people need help.

It was the smell that hit his nose first. Something was burning. Ty slid through the crowd of the caravanners to get a better look. His eyes bugged out of his head. Was that...a dragon?! Ty took a step back, bumping into one of the other caravan travelers. He didn't see who the individual was, but they pushed him forward.

Before he could see who pushed him, a small form brushed past him yelling. He looked down as the gnome passed him. What was she doing? Was she touched in the head? He was about to turn around when a thought occurred to him. If he followed her and they did not die, perhaps she or someone in the village would be grateful. Gratitude was good for profits. He could probably find somewhere to hide until the dragon went away. If he played his cards right, he could do nothing and get paid. That was the best outcome anyone could hope for. He checked his bow and other weapons started off after the gnome.

"I don't mean to pry",he said, catching up to her,"but are you actually serious about this? I mean, that is a dragon up there."

"I am." Clarice responds, her eyes not leaving the scene in front of her. "My friend is somewhere down there, I can't just turn away when there's a chance I can help her."

She looks up at the stranger, "You had your chance to flee but here you are standing with others who chose not to. Seems to me we might be able to do a little good down there."

With a subtle shrug of her shoulders she heads off behind those who have started their way into town.

I might as well help too Grim says as he joins the group Looks like you could use some help with that and I know my way around a fight. That, and if he doesn't help and the villagers die, then his whole travel he will be for nothing he thinks to himself besides, how many can say they've slayed a dragon and with a whip no less Grim excitedly begin to smile a bit at the thought.

Ty got a sour look on his face.

"Chose to?! I was pushed! And, well, I couldn't see letting you face that thing all by yourself. If we actually found a way scare that great abomination off, I'm sure the village would be very grateful, so it is a practical matter, you see."

He looked at the others who seemed to have been drawn to the front of the pack like moths to a candle flame. He sighed. There was no backing out of this now. He really needed to get back to the city. All of this country air was putting strange ideas in his head.

"Well",he said, turning again to the gnome,"at least we won't die alone."

"Do try to keep up. Perhaps one of us should carry the small one?" Elceran states bluntly as he darts forward. His quarter staff already in hand, he tries to hide the gleam of excitement in his green eyes.

"Just worry about yourself! I can keep up just fine." Clarice retorts, her aching legs pumping furiously under her dark green robe.