Delve #1 - The Adventure Begins

[Bucephalus77]

Gundren

“Might be another group of explorers and from what I can see they are crossing the bridge west, the way we intend to be going. Best wait until they pass and follow at a distance behind. See what they intend.”

[ravenn4544]

Octavios suggests “they look well traveled in this area and perhaps they have knowledgeable of the cliffs - and dangers to avoid…”

[scottjen]

Alishar
Doesn't wish to hail them at this point. Getting a closer look is a good idea if anyone not in full armor would like to do so.

[BaltoBruiser]

NPC'ing Jintu to move things along

Horasday the 6th of Molivios 2993 AEP 12:20 PM

Jintu scouts ahead stealthily and quickly to intersection of the bridge and then reports back to the party who remain hidden in the sparse tree line nearer the Falls. His reconnaissance takes an hour.

He observes that there are 12 humans (9 whom appear to be armed and armored and 3 with fine travel cloaks and furs). They are driving 3 carts laden with sacks, barrels, and wooden crates. The carts are pulled by 3 mules. Their pace is slow and haphazard as they make their way over the crest of the hill. The 3 unarmored men are doing a poor job of driving the carts and controlling the mules.

[Rex]

Athena

"They don't sound like a real caravan, like they don't know what they are doing. A set up maybe?"

[scottjen]

Alishar
I agree with Athena that they are not what they appear. Perhaps followers of Set. I suggest we see where they go. And let's be ready in case we are spotted.

[gurusql]

Gelli

"It would be good to know where they are delivering whatever they are transporting."

[Doctor Crunch]

Niphos

Niphos nods to Alishar's suggestion. Perhaps they will lead us to a secret way.

[Rex]

Athena

"Agreed, lets follow them at a safe distance."

[ravenn4544]

Octavios nods in agreement, "Makes sense to me"

[BaltoBruiser]

The caravan has crested the hill on the western side of the Swift River and is no longer in view. The party is about a mile north of the Bridge and there is no other traffic visible on the Imperial Road to the south of the Bridge.

What is the marching order? And how will the party attempt to conceal themselves from the caravan?

[Spearmint]

'Fez' Pheasantplucker

Wraps an chilled and sudden wolf pelt around himself further.

"Don't think they are wanting to climb up these steep cliffs with those laden carts surely."

He makes a speculation regarding their intent. Nothing else out here is there? No guard tower, encampment? So either they are going to a cave hideout at the cliff base or ... making a delivery of goods? I had a bizarre thought of someone at the clifftops maybe hauling up sacks of goodies and supplies on a winch or platform. thinking like a lift used by Night's Watch in GoT.

[Doctor Crunch]

Niphos

Niphod nods to Fez. surely they are going somewhere. I am glad we tarried, else they might have come up behind us. Niphos begins to prepare to move, doing some stretching and shouldering his pack. He directs Javess to get ready as well. Perhaps if we send a scout ahead to keep the caravan in sight and the rest of us follow far enough back that we are out of sight of the caravan but close enough to see signals from the scout we could divine their destination?

[Rex]

Athena

"A good plan Niphos. I would make a horrible scout though, who volunteers?"

[Edeldhur]

Thargus

"I know many things about traversing the wilds, but doing so silently is not one of them" - Thargus shakes his head with a smile.

[scottjen]

Alishar
I would have to remove my armor first to attempt quiet movement, and someone else would need to carry it. So I do not believe I am the best choice. But if I am incorrect in this assumption, I will shed this metal shell and begin following. Whoever goes should leave signs for the rest of the party to follow.

[Bucephalus77]

Gundren

“Niphos has it right and thankfully we have a small pheasant sized creature that we can send ahead? Gundren makes a show of looking for Fez and shouts

“Get up here Fez, time for a run. They might be setting up a base camp for exploration - or something more nefarious - so don’t get too close. we need our scout back in one piece.”

(Gundren goes to pat Fez on the back but his hand quickly goes back to his side and he shifts his feet uncomfortably instead.)

[gurusql]

Gelli

"I think that we just need to follow, a mile plus to the rear."

[BaltoBruiser]

Horasday the 6th of Molivios 2993 AEP 1:20 PM

Jintu and Mudlark set off ahead of the main contingent. They head south on the Imperial Road, cross the Stone Bridge to the western shore of the Swift River, and then head over the hill and out of sight while the remainder of the party waits near the eastern side of the Stone Bridge. 10 minutes later, Mudlark can be seen signaling back that the coast is clear. The party moves to the top of the hill. Mudlark reports that there is a well-worn dirt track somewhat hidden by trees about 400 yards from the hill which heads north back toward the cliff face west of the Great Falls. Jintu has continued up the path to follow the caravan who are making no effort to hide their movement or conceal themselves. Mudlark estimates that at the rate the caravan is moving they should reach the base of the cliffs around 4 pm just around sunset.

[Rex]

Athena

"Sounds like they are familiar with the area, lets keep following them."