On the Road

Sep 19, 2021 4:44 am

- Meht -

Where are you this morning?

The other guards have a casual comradery with each other, and are constantly chatting and joking. Not only does this feel like a social gathering, it does not feel very vigilant. Most of them would not know what to look out for anyway --out here in the wilderness-- and could really use your guidance if you are willing to try teach.

What is the first hint you get that there might be trouble up ahead?

OOC:

Maybe give us a Roll+WIS for general 'perception'? Or something else if you can justify it.

LizzyPinkHood Inactive for 8 months

Sep 19, 2021 8:10 am

Re: On the Road

Over the discussion Leesha seems to get the feel of what kind of person Calum is, and as such soon grows uninterested in his persona, with exception of this odd feeling regarding his words about caravan.
"This was an interesting conversation, Calum. Sir. Now, if you would excuse me.. Priestess raises her tome and presses against her chest, thinks for a bit, then turns half-way towards Calum. "I shall be here for the time being. Perhaps our employer would be interested in hearing you out as well? It seems.. practical to seek audience with important people."

After that she would return to her reading and occasionally checking the surroundings, listening to nature.

vagueGM

Sep 19, 2021 8:15 am

Re: On the Road

At the mention of 'your employer' Calum looks a bit nervous, but it is hard to say for what, and he covers it by also looking intently at the surroundings.

[*Absent*] Meht

theatreofcomets Inactive forever!

Sep 20, 2021 3:11 am

Re: On the Road

Meht has never travelled in this direction before, nor—even so early in their journey—so far from home, so he is keenly interested in the changing landscape and what animals might be in it. The air smells different too.

He's also not so used to tracking animals outside the forest, but even so he notices occasional tracks and scat, and from time to time jumps off the wagon to investigate, before running to catch up. The tracks look like dog, but he sees none, though he does catch sight of larger lizards than his forest holds, and different species of honeyeater. It's all so new! So while on the wagon he studies the horizon for hints of what might come next.

As they pass along there are fewer stands of trees, and what starts to take their place are grey granite stones of all sizes: the smallest might be the size of a horse, but he sees one or two larger than the grandest house he's ever seen.

Up ahead he sees a place the road passes between a whole clump of house-sized stones, and he thinks, idly, Now there'd be a good spot for a trap. Though it's still a little way away, automatically he scans the ground around the spot for tracks or signs of passage.

Rolls

Looking for signs of activity - (2d6)

(56) = 11

vagueGM

Sep 20, 2021 7:11 am

Re: On the Road

- Meht -

Up ahead and to the side you hear the bark of a dog, then someone telling the dog to be quiet... then someone telling that someone to be quiet. You have time to call out a warning to your fellow travelers if you so choose, or to take some preemptive action.

Once the caravan's vanguard realise the danger (by your warning or on their own) a halt is called.

There is a moment of muttering from the rocks up ahead, then a tall --like really tall-- woman stands and addresses the party.

"You are now on the lands of Thelonia the White!" (there is no clear reason for her to be called 'the white' there is nothing 'white' about her) (your keen hearing also picks out another small voice muttering "...not actually 'our lands', we had to move this morning" but no one pays it any mind).

"All your goods..." She glances down at something in her hand. "... um... and rights are forfeit. Hand them over and you will allowed to go free!" The obvious oxymoron does not help her situation.

Neither does the fact that the caravan stopped before fully entering the pincer they had set up, and you are not surrounded as they intended. Nevertheless, a caravan can not back up, and you don't know how many bandits there are --you can see, at least, a few with bows.

vagueGM

Sep 20, 2021 7:12 am

Re: On the Road

- Leesha -

"Damn it you dozy bint." Calum says when you ignoring him spills into the ambush he was not ready for. "I was trying to offer you an opportunity. I meant it about keeping you safe.

"Now: Come with me if you want to live!" He demands, holding out his hand as he prepares to quickly and quietly jump from the wagon and head off the road.

You have time to act right before the ambush becomes clear.

vagueGM

Sep 20, 2021 7:12 am

Re: On the Road

- Rook -

You are a sneaky one. Where are you when all this goes down? What unexpected advantage do you have?

vagueGM

Sep 20, 2021 7:12 am

Re: On the Road

- Everyone -

Neither the merchant nor the captain have had time to react yet.

What do you do?

theatreofcomets Inactive forever!

Sep 22, 2021 12:39 am

Re: On the Road

OOC:

Can we confer here?

There's two things Meht would like to do:
1. Send Oli to go for Calum's neck: if Calum's trying hard to get away I think we have much better leverage if he stays put.
2. Take cover, draw a bow and try to get off a shot at the woman who just spoke.

However if anyone else would like to negotiate instead, or try something less foolhardy that this plan would endanger, please say so!

[*Absent*] Rook

Rezart Inactive forever!

Sep 22, 2021 2:04 am

Re: On the Road

Rook has spent most of this journey trying to keep out of Calum's line of sight while still keeping an eye on him. When the filthy dog grabs the priestess, he sees red. he had no idea who this priestess was, nor much care, but it was just another reminder that Layla was dead while this monster still drew breath. With practiced skill, he unwrapped his sling from his wrist and whipped a good chunk of stone at the back of Calum's unsuspecting head.

OOC:

So for my advantage I'm trying to declare a surprise attack on Calum. Let me know if that's OK, and if you still require a roll or not.

Theatreofcomets, I'm not the GM, but I would suspect he would prefer long OOC discussion to be in the OOC thread

Rolls

Sling stone - (1d6)

(2) = 2

Hide with Stealth - (2d6+2)

(54) + 2 = 11

[*Absent*] Rook

Rezart Inactive forever!

Sep 22, 2021 6:33 pm

Re: On the Road

As the stone collided with Calum's head, Rook came back to himself. "There's slingers in the trees!" He shouted, hoping having everyone focused on the bandits would turn their attention in that direction. Meanwhile he dove under the tarp in a nearby wagon, readying another stone if needed.

LizzyPinkHood Inactive for 8 months

Sep 23, 2021 5:55 am

Re: On the Road

Leesha, seeing both the danger appearing ahead and Calum deciding to hide away says "Ohh, I see" with an expression of sudden realization, quickly puts her tome into the bag and with a sigh intently reaches for Calum's wrist.
"I am very sorry, but—"
smack
Girl yelps, loosing her balance a bit even, looking as the stone hits the arrogant fool into the head, her original confidence stepping away: Leesha slides off the wagon, carefully but firmly grasping Calum and biting lower lip as she goes as low as she might. Making a sign unfamiliar to mortal lands with a hand she carefully touches man's cranuim, quoting few passages from the litanies: "By dawn I rise, bringing peace and prosperity, for my will permeates all that is good in this world.."

Fortunately for Leesha, she has been in similar situations where there was but a single step from harming someone to healing them, so she attempts to perform small miracle to cure Calum. Unfortunately, she is not a trained field medic so paying attention to everything around her would be quite problematic - she is focused on her patient.

vagueGM

Sep 23, 2021 5:19 pm

Re: On the Road

- Leesha -

Lying on the ground, Calum looks scared and confused as you reach for his head, from which sudden and unexplained pain had blossomed a moment ago.

Then, "Wow." He utters breathlessly as his hand drops away and his eyes go wide staring into yours, unable to look away.

"That feels amazing!" He says with an infatuated sound to his voice. "Your eyes look amazing!"

LizzyPinkHood Inactive for 8 months

Sep 24, 2021 6:58 am

Re: On the Road

Furrowing eyebrows she manages to give a small smile, then quickly looks around, checking for any danger, immediately turning serious as she listens to what's happening on the road ahead: it seems like they have not began a full-scale attack yet, but caravan guards might need to be more attentive, lest whomever slinged the stone at Calum's head shall likely pick out others.

Leesha returns her attention to Calum and tilts head a bit, bringing a loose strand of hair behind her ear, speaking quietly. "How are you feeling, sir?.. Please, stay down for now."

vagueGM

Sep 24, 2021 9:37 am

Re: On the Road

- Leesha -

"I feel awesome! Never better!" Calum exclaims enthusiastically, not paying any attention to what is going on and neglecting (all) his duties.

If he was doing something before, he has forgotten about it for the time being.

vagueGM

Sep 24, 2021 9:38 am

Re: On the Road

Without context, your characters have no way of recognising this: but Thelonia seems to be expectantly waiting for something to happen within the caravan, and whatever that 'something' is, it seems to be delayed.

This is not going her way and she looks worried.

[*Absent*] Meht

theatreofcomets Inactive forever!

Sep 25, 2021 9:28 pm

Re: On the Road

Meht finds an inconspicuous spot to ready the bow he borrowed to buy for this new chapter of his life. But before doing anything decisive he also wants to know what the guards Calum recruited are doing, so he looks around to find out: he wants to know all the pieces in play.

OOC:

I'll take up the offer to take out a loan for a bow, if that's OK

vagueGM

Sep 25, 2021 9:38 pm

Re: On the Road

- Meht -

It takes a few moments for you to locate them, but the two that arrived with Calum have surreptitiously positioned themselves --far apart from each other-- near the wagons designated as 'high value' and 'fragile, do not ride'.

They are looking around confused, as though waiting for instruction. They each have a hand casually inside a cloak, but that are not taking any action against the caravan or your fellow guards, nothing that justifies suspicion.

OOC:

Taking a deal without knowing the terms? Ballsy. :)

[*Absent*] Rook

Rezart Inactive forever!

Sep 26, 2021 4:53 am

Re: On the Road

Rook remains hiding in the wagon, but the sounds of fighting he was expecting don't follow. He decides to wait a few more moments; if things stay quiet, he'll sneak out and try to blend back in.

LizzyPinkHood Inactive for 8 months

Sep 26, 2021 3:57 pm

Re: On the Road

Girl shakes head a bit, though with more of a relieved expression, before slowly rising on one knee and trying to help Calum stand up, though as she does, Leesha is once more finding herself wondering what should she do next. Does she try to ask him? Possibly, if he is not as driven to flee, she could convince him to step down from the original plan: it seems like the general feel of suspicion Calum had about him appears to have reason behind it.

"Mister Calum.. If I may ask, though I imagine you had your own reasons to work with less savory people, might you be interested in halting whatever you planned? Please, consider it, for I do believe one should strive towards unity."

She brushes hair back once more and extends hand towards Calum in a meanigful gesture.

"Like that. Nobody needs problems."

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