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Xenos tries to look relaxed, his hand casually on the pommel of his sword.

He brings to mind his new spell, watching the group of horsemen approach, factoring range and area as they close, wondering how much panic it might to the horses.

No casting for now, but he's keeping prepared

Cyril "allows" the other party members to stand between him and the approaching riders. He leans on his quarterstaff as they approach, more curious than anything on who this is and what they might want.

Kainaxarthos

Kain steps forward a bit from the group, confident in his position and ability. If the riders stop, he'll hail them. If they keep charging at the group, he'll draw his blade and wave at them to get them to stop.

If they just happen to ride on past, he will let them go.

Akhilleus says quietly, "If they're not stopping and just passing through, let them go. Don't call them."

Ceana

As the riders approach, the Kelt druidess prepares for battle...should it come to that.
She unslings her shield and shoves it in the sand in front of her. She then sticks two more arrows in the sand behind the shield. She stands slightly behind Kain, arrow ready.
"I already don't trust them," she says quietly.

Sik, noticing the tensing hands and expressions of his comrades, follows suit, unsheathing his axe and positions himself to the side and front of Xenos.

He glances to Xenos and says quietly, "If I am to be a bodyguard, my stance will be warranted. You give me the word and I will stand down."

Xambaala
Morning
The Zakath Desert
The Anthropophagi Camp

Allowing the riders to approach peacefully seems to be the groups only option, so hopefully that’s what happens.

The group of ten horsemen arrive at the dune at full gallop, but don’t appear to be poised for a battle charge. Their weapons still sheathed, they encircle the group in a wide ring, eventually riding closer and closer, while their leader walks his horse over to within speaking distance of Kainaxarthos. Again, these appear to be normal desert dwellers, not wearing any type of uniform to indicate them as Xambaali soldiers or Yithorium scouts. Their attire leaves little to show of their faces, but most of the horses look well tired and nearly spent.

The lead man shouts in common as his horsemen circle. “Who are you and what business do you have here in the Zakath? Do you have anything to do with this twisted camp, by chance?”

Actions?

Can everyone give me a [4d6] Wisdom check along with their action, please.

Xenos (DS3) AC5 17/17
Drest (Sc4) AC7 22/22
Kainaxarthos (C2) AC6 11/11
Cyril (Pr2) AC8 7/7
Ceana (D2) AC5 13/13
Akhilleus (F3) AC4 32/32
Taibhse (Sh1) AC7 7/7
Belloc (M1) AC6 9/9
Sik (Ba1) AC5 12/12

Cyril speaks quietly to the party, "I would wager they do not represent the Satrap..." He allows the other party members to address the riders first. His eyes scan them and their mounts as he counts them.


Wisdom Check: [4d6]=16 vs DC18

Kainaxarthos

Kain responds in common as friendly as he can. "Greetings riders. The horses are a good idea, I should use them next time I decide to wander about in the desert."

"I am Kainaxarthos Satani, newly established land owner in Xambaala. A few of my friends went missing days ago and I have gathered a party to search for them. Two young men, have you come upon them?"

"As for this, camp, you call it? I have never been here, but it did draw my attention in my search. Why is it twisted? It smells of a simple cooked meat feast."

Kain shields his eyes to take a better look at the man. "You have come either a long way or ridden fast. Who am I speaking with?"

Edit: Let me actually put in the wisdom roll.
Hard Wisdom check (17): [4d6]=13

Ceana

Being circled by this unknown group makes the druidess nervous. She puts her back to Kain as he converses with the leader and watches the riders. Bow in hand, arrow ready, she is trying to figure out what these riders are doing.


Wisdom Check 16: [4d6]=15

Drest

Drest remains watchful and silent.

Wis check (13) [4d6]=17

Sik loosens his grip on his axe as the horsemen approach and relaxes his posture. He stays silent for now, hoping not to draw undue attention to himself as the only Esquimaux-Ixian. (though it's unlikely he'll succeed at being inconspicuous)

Wisdsom Check [12]:
Just a note - Sik may have some advantage on this due to the fact that he has spent a long while wandering the Zakath desert and would be generally familiar with the types of people who frequent it, if applicable

Xenos keeps his face covered and his lips silent. With Kain engaging with the groups apparent leader, he keeps his eyes on the others in the group to see how they react to us and Kain's response.

WIS check (vs 12): [_4d6]=(1+4+1+2)=8

Belloc observes the riders trying to get a read on them and waits before giving an opinion

Akhilleus also remains silent and lets Kain do the talking.

Hard Skill Check [4d6]=16 vs WIS 7

Taibhse

Remains quiet, alert, but relaxed.

Wisdom check vs 17: [4d6]=14

Xambaala
Morning
The Zakath Desert
The Anthropophagi Camp

Kain seems to have been correct in his earlier assessment that these men are likely simple desert raiders, though clearly successful enough to own horses. Sik, the desert barbarian concurs.

As the conversation continues cordially enough, with no real sense of unnecessary tensions, the others begin to look these riders over a little closer. All but Akhilleus, Drest, and Sik notice that the saddle bags on these horses are packed full of something chunky and uneven, as though they were filled with jagged rocks.

Their leader continues. “Well met, Lord Satani.” The sarcasm from his comment causes his men to huff behind their face wraps. “I may question your taste in desirable destinations, but your business is your own, as is ours.”

“Sadly, we have seen no one out here recently. But if your friends are wandering the desert alone, you needn’t worry any longer, as they are very likely already dead.”

A few of the men slowly urge their horses back down the dune towards the Outer City, one horse nearly lays down until its rider kicks it violently to get it moving again. Both horse and rider appear completely exhausted.

The man sniffs the air. “We rode through this place on our way out, and it was abandoned just like this. But the stench was even worse then, and the poles were still smoldering. Must only be used at night, I suppose. Do you know anything else about it?” The man’s eyes clearly move to Sik, though their group remains non-combative.

Actions?

Xenos (DS3) AC5 17/17
Drest (Sc4) AC7 22/22
Kainaxarthos (C2) AC6 11/11
Cyril (Pr2) AC8 7/7
Ceana (D2) AC5 13/13
Akhilleus (F3) AC4 32/32
Taibhse (Sh1) AC7 7/7
Belloc (M1) AC6 9/9
Sik (Ba1) AC5 12/12

Drest

Drest stays alert but remains silent.

Akhilleus too.

Kainaxarthos

His eyes flicker to the unusually bulging saddle bags. "That may be, of course, but they owe me money. So I need to be put at ease one way or another."

Kain visibly muses. "How long ago did you pass by here? And you think it's used every night. Some sort of desert bonfire ceremony, perhaps. And what are they even burning?"

"But no. Like I said, it drew my attention and that was all. It is odd, though. Is there a shelter nearby, or do people travel all this way just for this spot?"