0. Prelude

[hedgeknight]

Festus moves out into the front, crossbow at a more ready stance, walking slowly, looking all around for any sign of danger...

[AleBelly]

Sylvan pulls his hood down over his face. He rearranges his pack to hide the candelabra from view then saunters after the party. "Damn, but that place stank. They must be short a few embalmers in that town up ahead" he muses.

[Starbeard]

Eohannud strides along toward the village on the bank with everyone else, keeping an eye out for any locals along the way.

[OGRE MAGE]

Sparrow follows as well but, spends more time searching the ground than the horizon along the way.

[onlyme]

Fulp likewise follows along.

[spanningtree]

Madrevin will sheath his sword and stow his shield, drawing his bow instead. The village sounds like the right direction... he will say following the others.

[OGRE MAGE]

Sparrow remembers seeing a pack on the dead armored man as they laid him to rest. He quickly steps back into the crypt and has a look through it. He takes special interest in the scroll case and the metal flask.

I prefer to wear light armor but it would be a shame to simply ignore this find. This man won't be needing it anymore after all.

[dmw71]

The group begins heading south towards the coast, with Sparrow focusing his attentions on the land before them as he seeks out tracks. As this coastline nears, you quickly find yourselves enveloped in a fog which drapes the rolling landscape and the limited visibility makes tracking increasingly difficult causing Sparrow to abandon those efforts.. The fragrant scent of pepperwood and pine sap are lingering proof that the small woodlands in the area are still there even after being cloaked in fog.

The area, as you continue south, is significantly more well traveled and you find yourselves on a trial of sorts. As you begin to follow this "trail," you suddenly detect at least a handful of humans -- some of them armed -- begin to emerge from the line of fog at the edge of your vision, approaching you as they are walking north and away from your destination. They make idle chatter amongst themselves as they continue their trek without pause or interruption, even after it's obvious that they've spotted you.

They are currently separated from you by approximately fifty feet.

---

Actions?

[AleBelly]

From past experience, Sylvan has learned to let armed travelers pass if they pose no risk. He puts his spear in its quiver, but keeps his shield on his arm. He stands, watching the men, hands out of his pockets and shows them his empty palms, hands hanging at his sides.

[OGRE MAGE]

Sparrow will step back from the trail, even behind someone else if possible. He pulls the hood of his cloak down far over his face. He knows that he looks very different from folks in the North, so to avoid any issues, he will let the others do the talking.

[Starbeard]

Figuring that they are a guard patrol, Eohannud does not approach them. While it might be reasonable to alert the nearest locals of their recent find, he suggests that it would be more prudent to wait until they reach town—guards have a way of being distrustful to bearers of bad tidings, and the man they just buried may have been a member of their patrol.

He will continue on to the village unless someone deliberately stops to speak with the armed party.

[onlyme]

Fulp has no intention of starting a confrontation, so he continues in line. He will however, pay more attention to their actions to prevent being attacked unprepared.

[hedgeknight]

Festus likewise steps off to one side of the trail, but keeps his crossbow cradled as the humans approach. As they get closer, he will nod in greeting if he catches their eye, but will remain silent, assuming they pass on.

[spanningtree]

Slowing down Madrevin will give a casual wave and keep walking while glancing at them to see if their is any reaction.

[dmw71]

The approaching group begins to slow slightly, and as they close, you see what appears to be two armed men leading what appears to be a family -- an adult male and female with three young children. The armed men appear to access the size and strength of your party and slow the caravan to a halt leaving a comfortable ten foot distance between you. The guards wear full cloaks, but a metal clinking sound you heard, which stopped when they did, suggest they're wearing a metal armor of some kind under their wraps. The guards plant the butt of their spears into the ground as they draw to a stop and, while they don't appear threatening at the moment, they appear to stand at the ready.

After a brief moment, the adult female standing behind the guards says: "Glorious fog we're having, eh?"

---

Actions?

[onlyme]

Fulp doesnt want an awkward delay in response to create anxiety in either side, so he answers,

Greetings m'lady. The weather keeps the walking comfortable, for sure. I do not mean to inconvenience you by any means, but can you tell us the name of the village up ahead? We've come upon an unfortunate animal attack, He pauses a bit in thought and then continues...
Well, of a sort we couldnt identify outright, and thought it wise to alert the good town's people.

[AleBelly]

Sylvan steps forward, still maintaining his nonthreatening body language. He breaks into a smile, hoping to get a better look at the face attached to the female voice.

[dmw71]

"An unfortunate animal attack," says one of the guards, taking a casual step forward towards Fulp while the other armed man turns to make sure the family stay safely behind. "Where?" he asks.

As Sylvan steps forward to get a better view of the adult woman, he draws the attention of the armed man previously questioning Fulp. "Your distance, please." he says civilly, but firmly. The woman, however, stubbornly forces her way past the armed man shielding her. "Lemme through," she says. "I trust these folks mean us no harm." She steps forward and stands between Fulp and Sylvan, repeating the question originally asked by her armed companion: "An unfortunate animal attack, you say. Please, do tell Svetlana."

[onlyme]

Fulp will point toward the direction they came, and proceed to describe in detail the appearance of the viscious animals, He will of course, tone down the description of the deceased human in case Svetlana might have known him.

And now you know, my lady, why we feel most compelled to warn the folks nearby.

[AleBelly]

"There also appeared to be an item of value in the structure. We removed it for safekeeping and will return it to the rightful heirs upon identification." says Sylvan softly.