[IC] Into the Unknown

[thirdkingdom]

Cadmus the Confused

"Lead on, gentle lass!" exclaims Cadmus.

[Wyzard]

Tacitus the Multiloquent

"How is it that your family survives thus, alone in the wide wilderlands? Do not rapacious raiders or loathsome lurkers skulk about in the dark of the moon?"

[Vektunaxa]

Alfius the Aeviternal, Fighter

"This country is aptly named, for we have seen little civilization since we left the road. I want to hear the answer to Tacitus' question, for I was about to make an inquiry with much the same intent."

[Julius Sleazer]

Tacitus the Multiloquent

"How is it that your family survives thus, alone in the wide wilderlands? Do not rapacious raiders or loathsome lurkers skulk about in the dark of the moon?"

Goatherd

"Indeed, the country here is so desolate that large groups of bandits do not frequent it, for they themselves would starve, there being not enough to steal. Upon occasion, an outcast or outlaw will drift through, but my brothers make short work of such unless they turn tail swiftly. In truth, though, we dwell unobtrusively and modestly."

"My grandsire and grand-dam were city-folk away to the south and east, but fled into the wilderness to escape the plagues and perfidies of the big towns. There is naught here to fear beneath the dark of the moon save perhaps a wolf or a catamount or a surly she-bear. Can the stinking streets of a city hold such safety, sir? I think not, from what I have heard of them."

[Vektunaxa]

Alfius the Aeviternal, Fighter

"Your grandsire's experience match our own, for we were stalked and hunted and attacked almost as soon as we entered the city. It is good to be away from that. Your goats are a different breed than the ones I used to raise, but I can see they are quite healthy for the sparse foliage that they graze upon. Do they milk well?"

[Julius Sleazer]

Goatherd

"Some, although in truth their wool, or hair if you prefer, is the more valuable. Once a year a peddler comes this way, and we trade him what we have sheared in exchange from sundries from the cities and towns."

[MonsterMash]

Decimus Numerous

"These peddlars apart do many travellers make their way through these regions and do they speak of their intended destinations?"

[Julius Sleazer]

Goatherd

"In truth, sir, no. The same peddler comes every year to trade for what we shear, and has done so all of my life. Apparently before he came, his father before him did so. Occasionally wanderers, far-hunters, or outcasts pass through, but this is not a heavily-travelled area. It no longer lies on any particular route."

[Vektunaxa]

Alfius the Aeviternal, Fighter

"We had heard tales of ruined villas and temples, which drove our curiosity to set out into these lands. Are there any such features nearby that a quartet of adventurous citizens might hazard to explore?"

[Julius Sleazer]

Goatherd

"I know of no such structures, sir, but the Desolate Country is a wide land. Like enough such things may be found somewhere in the empty places. As far as adventurous citizens, there are said to be hills many miles to the north and northeast of here, near unto the Wicked City."

"These hills are said to be filled with gold. At least, I heard such once from a wanderer headed that way. My brothers have also heard similar tales, and my sire and grandsire."

[Wyzard]

Tacitus the Multiloquent

"Well, I am adequately convinced that you are a natural person and not some sinister seeming. We would be very glad of your hospitality, and would return that favor in any way we could."

[Julius Sleazer]

26th Springmonth I

The adventurers follow the goatherd and her goats, deviating from their northeastward course as they follow her four miles to the northwest at a slow pace. After travelling for this distance, the adventurers espy a straight line of pines, one tree deep from west to east, which runs about one hundred north to south, measured from the vertex to vertex. To the east of this odd line of evergreens, there is a small wooden fenced-in area, into which the young woman guides the long-haired goats. The caprine creatures bleat and make other noises during this process.

Near the goat-enclosure, there is a low structure, no more than two or three feet high. There is one east-facing door, through which a man would have to bend inordinately to enter. Near this little door, some earth has been excavated downwards to facilitate entry to some degree. Meanwhile, from the long line of pines, a man-shape detaches itself and clambers down through the boughs.

The adventurers react with due caution, but the lurker in the trees turns out to be only a loon with perhaps one score and a quarter to his name. He is somewhat besmirched with sap and has a bland, placid expression. He admires the adventurers' horses openly.

"My word!" he exclaims. "We haven't had a horse since Old Bessie ran off in a thunderstorm two years back!"

"It was three years back," corrects the goatherd.

"Slow pace" here equals moving at 90; I'm estimating that the group of goats is moving at roughly the same pace as a draft horse would, and using draft horse speed as per X34.

[thirdkingdom]

Cadmus the Confused

Cadmus nods to the lad but keeps a wary eye out for danger. "My name is Cadmus," he says, "and these are my companions. We have traveled long and hard."

[Julius Sleazer]

Lad

"I doubt you not, sir. 'Tis not an easy journey out to where we dwell."

Cadmus

Overcome by a fit of coughing, the cleric excuses himself for a moment.

No signs of anything ensorcelled.

Goatherd

"Come, let my brother here tie your horses to the enclosure fence. Come below with me! Surely my mother waits therein with hot broth to drive away the chill of the empty lands."

[Wyzard]

Tacitus the Multiloquent

Tacitus raises the issue with his comrades. "You know, we need to lay low for a while. These folks might be willing to put us up, in return for enough coin to buy a new horse. We could do some hunting and fishing, a few odd jobs, maybe investigate an old mound or a half-forgotten cave."

[Vektunaxa]

Alfius the Aeviternal, Fighter

"Yes, if our hosts are willing to put up with us, I would welcome a change in fare. It would also give me a chance to court our fair escort."

[thirdkingdom]

Cadmus the Confused

"Pardon me, gentle goatherd, but I am by nature untrusting and suspicious. Not two weeks ago we were set upon by a man who could change form from human to lupine. I do not desire to insult you, but would you mind calling for your parents to come out here to great us before we venture within?"

[Julius Sleazer]

Goatherd

"My father is yet away. My mother is somewhat infirm, and unlikely to come out of doors without great difficulty. I think it ill-done, sir, to ask of her to so present herself, especially in such a chill morning air."

"However, I can see that a man who must wander, especially through dangerous settlements, might well wish to see the head of household before entering said man's dwelling. My brother or I can whistle or call for my father, and he shall arrive anon. Would that calm your mind and set you at ease, were you to be able to meet him face-to-face?"

[thirdkingdom]

Goatherd

"My father is yet away. My mother is somewhat infirm, and unlikely to come out of doors without great difficulty. I think it ill-done, sir, to ask of her to so present herself, especially in such a chill morning air."

"However, I can see that a man who must wander, especially through dangerous settlements, might well wish to see the head of household before entering said man's dwelling. My brother or I can whistle or call for my father, and he shall arrive anon. Would that calm your mind and set you at ease, were you to be able to meet him face-to-face?"

Cadmus the Confused

"It would."

[Julius Sleazer]

Goatherd

The young woman produces a whistle from a pouch at her belt and blows it. A high, shrill note pierces the tranquility of the grasslands. The adventurers then proceed to wait for two hours.

After this time, several men appear from the northwest. Two of them are young loons of about the same age as the goatherd and the adventurers themselves. The last is a large man in late middle years with dark, curly hair and a thick beard, both of which are flecked with silver hairs.

He has a bland, somewhat oafish expression. The goatherd introduces him to the four from Durans Well. He smiles benignly with a somewhat bemused expression.

"Nice horses there, boys," he says. "Name's Viator. How d'you do?"

Aside from a stout cudgel and a serviceable dagger, he does not appear to be armed. The two additional loons summoned by the whistle do not seem outfitted for a fight, either. One looks to be utterly unarmed; the other has a short bow and a quiver of arrows. His face is also bedaubed with brown stripes and he wears an odd chapeau ornamented with bits of grass and other plant material.