Quest #32 "Visiting With The Neighbors"

[Bluehorse]

Liam I like the idea. Let's do that.

[Monsieur Rose]

The Princess

She smiles at the pair and pats the lizard. "Could you go check on the dwarves? I'm not totally convinced they truly left. Just a quick sighting or even just around the bend behind us."

"What do you think, Mayor?" The Princess is eager to leave but has had enough of dwarven tricks lately.

[SirOwen]

Just to clarify, who is the Princess asking and is she asking someone to go back in the direction that Dwarf patrol just went?

[Monsieur Rose]

Yeah, that wasn't clear.

She's asking Dexter to make sure the dwarves actually left, and aren't just hiding just beyond the bend. So, yes, going back the way the patrol just went.

[Urson]

Daisy
Ah think those boys ain't that sneaky.
But lots better to check than to findout we're wrong.

[OGRE MAGE]

Really Sore Feet
Godsday, 23rd of Goodmonth
Evening, Overcast, Warm, Humid

Once the dwarven patrol departs, the next two bends of the trail towards the mine are checked, just to be sure the mounted Stoneguts aren't waiting in hiding to cause more trouble. Finding no indication to their suspicion, the group heads back the way they came, on what is sure to be a long hard trip back to Beachtown.

Traveling back towards the loggers trail, the afternoon soon turns to evening as darkness begins to set in. The jungle insects come out in swarms once the hot sun sets, causing plenty of grief during travel, but what might be even worse, covering the body of the prone unconscious paladin, who is still strapped across the back of one of the huge lizards. Several insects appear to be making homes in the folds of the mans armor, clothes, and any uncovered wounds.

Fortunately, nothing larger than bugs accosts the splinter group along their dark return journey, and they find themselves closing in on the main trail again, a few more hours away from Beachtown. When they get to the area where the large pile of rocks sits alongside the trail, they notice torchlight coming towards them up the loggers trail.


Liam and Jaxsen travel at a much slower pace than their earlier steady jog, filling Jombo and Zeke in on what they encountered earlier. The insects really come out after dark, making for some fairly unpleasant travel for everyone but the Brother of Bralm, who doesnt seem to mind as much. Torches are lit and altered as the small group experiments with keeping the burning pitch slightly smothered with green leaves, causing more smoke than fire. The trial works a little better most of the time, but the situation is far from ideal.

After a few hours pass, the group approaches the area where the dwarven trail heads into the jungle off the loggers trail. The huge pile of black rocks still sits at the edge of the trail, but there are no signs of dwarves or any other trouble awaiting them.......yet. Jombo stops and hisses softly, as if he can hear or see something moving along the edge of the dwarven trail.

Actions?

Dexter 5/23
Daisy 11/16 0/4 first
Sophie AC:4 2/6
Narramore -1/12 LOH (Unconscious)
Princess 5/5 CL, DM, RM 0/1 first
Jaxsen 10/19
Liam 4/9
overall map:
http://www.unseenservant.us/forum/viewt ... 77#p366477

[SirOwen]

Dexter Broadleaf

"The bugs are starting to eat Sir William," Dexter comments. If either the Princess or Daisy start removing the bugs, he again takes the lead, but this time on the trail and only about 50 feet ahead. If neither do, Dex will climb up on top of the lizard, next to Sir William, and start wiping away the insects. He will remove as much equipment and armor as necessary for the task, but be careful to tie everything off so as not to lose it. Once the bugs are removed, he will continue to keep them away, having seen how much damage they can do.

[SirOwen]

Jaxsen Reiter

When Jombo hisses his alarm, Jaxsen quickly moves into the foliage, halberd ready, and ducks low to let the leaves hide him.

[Bluehorse]

Liam

Takes note of Jumbo's warning and takes cover as well. Steady, lads. We don't know if it is a Stonegut patrol or our friends.

[Monsieur Rose]

The Princess

She notices the bugs molesting Sir Narramore and starts to move towards the large man to interfere as she spots Dexter doing the same. The Princess looks over at the process with a bit of longing and quickly glances at Daisy to make sure she didn't see. Every so often, her eyes can be seen darting over to the knight and lingering...

"Torches!" She hisses at the others. "Wait. Silly girl, torches are for humans." She looks to the Mayor for the green light to engage.

[Urson]

Daisy
Daisy tut-tuts and chases Dexter back to his scout position. Doctorin' is mah job, sugar. Ah'll take care of him. Daisy will do whatever she can to protect Narramore's wounds from the insects- including another flush with alcohol to remove any eggs laid in them. A layer of bandage will be added, also.

At the crossroads: The Stoneguts wouldn't need torches. This is somebody else- maybe our friends. Dexter, honey- slip over there and find out.

[OGRE MAGE]

Really Sore Feet
Godsday, 23rd of Goodmonth
Evening, Overcast, Warm, Humid, Buggy

The insects and the rough trail have taken their toll on the unconscious paladin, but Daisy is quick to aid the fallen soldier, cleaning and redressing his wounds as best she can out in the open.

Dexter moves ahead to get a better look at the torches heading their way, feeling a bit uncomfortable when he doesn't recognize the 2 men carrying them. But once he spots Laim and Jaxsen coming up behind the first duo, he breaths a sigh of relief, stepping out of the bush to greet their lost friends.

Jombo pulls his sword, but sheaths it again when Liam and Jax rush up to the strangers on the trail. It seems pretty obvious to both of the militia men that they have somehow just found the group they were seeking.

With the cloud of bugs amassing making the dark night even more black, the once split parties take a moment to catch each other up. After a quick headcount, they notice that Narramore is no longer standing.

Actions?

Dexter 5/23
Daisy 11/16 0/4 first
Sophie AC:4 2/6
Narramore -2/12 LOH (Unconscious)
Princess 5/5 CL, DM, RM 0/1 first
Jaxsen 10/19
Liam 4/9
overall map:
http://www.unseenservant.us/forum/viewt ... 77#p366477

[Bluehorse]

Liam

With a sigh of relief. I'm glad to see you all again. We can discuss details on the way, but are their dwarves following or do we seen in the clear?

Let's get Narramore back to town. Come on.
We can talk on the way

[SirOwen]

Dexter Broadleaf

Dexter answers Liam's question. "The Dwarves we encountered first, on the main trail, passed us a while ago, heading back towards their mine. The other Dwarves we encountered, the ones on their own trail, are all food for the bugs and the possums, now. We haven't seen any others. If you saw nothing on the way from Beachtown, then our path is probably clear." The Halfling looks over his shoulder, though. "Although if they are going to pursue us, we need to get moving."

[SirOwen]

Jaxsen Reiter

Jaxsen turns to Daisy with a bow. "Mayor," he says. "There are too many strange riddles here. Why have we not been pursued? What threats still concern Beachtown?" He looks back towards the trail to the mine. "I move very quickly and silently. I think I could follow them and at least find an answer or two. We need to know for our own safety. Please allow me to serve my hive as a scout. I will take no unnecessary risks and bring back as much information as I can." He is clearly willing to go, or forego, as Daisy decides.

[Monsieur Rose]

The Princess

"Liam! Jaxsen! Good to see you both again. I was afraid you had left us for a while." She greets and welcomes the others. "We have acquired some mounts. Sir Narramore has claimed that one."

As Jaxsen offers to run off into the dark to scout the dwarves, she frowns. "I really must say that wouldn't be wise. I agree that the mine needs to be observed, but I suggest doing so in the day." She shakes her head. "We passed the dwarves hours ago, you wouldn't be following them, but walking in the dark along a trail to who knows what." She turns to Daisy. "We need to get back to town. We aren't up for combat right now, sending an able body off would only invite failure."

The Princess will continue leading the lizard back to beachtown when everyone is ready to go. "Right you are Master Liam. Let's walk and talk."

[Urson]

Daisy
Daisy hesitates, smacking mosquitoes.

Ah hate to do this- Jaxsen is one of our best combat effectives. But he's also best suited for this job.
Go ahead, Jaxsen. But be as cautious as a Halfling in a roomful of ogres. Silent, careful, and at the first sign of danger, get your narrow butt back to town. We don't need heroes or martyrs- we need information. You've got overnight, all day tomorrow, and tomorrow night. Ah 'spect you back in Beachtown by dawn the next day. Otherwise, we'll get up a rescue party an' come after you.

She puts one hand over her red and white holy symbol.Arvoreen, watch over this warrior as he goes to protect our homes.

She starts down the trail again, leading the beast, with Sophie hobbling along beside. Let's get back to town.

[Bluehorse]

Liam

Makes a face at all this and sighs a little. He takes a small swig of his water, just enough to wet his mouth and throat before handing over his water skins to Jaxsen. Here... I know the weight is a bit much but if you are going to be out in all this for long you will be wishing they were heavier all too soon.

Transfer 2 water skins to Jaxsen if he takes them.

[OGRE MAGE]

I will let Jaxsen respond before moving this along again.

[SirOwen]

Jaxsen Reiter

Jaxsen listens to the Mayor carefully. With a shallow bow, he says, "Yes, Mayor Daisy. Morning of the day after tomorrow. I shall be there."

Jax accepts Liam's offer of water. "Thank you, Master Liam. This will be more valuable than gold on this trip, I believe."
2 waterskins added to Inventory.

The Monk tightens down his gear and checks his weapons. As he does, Dexter catches his eye. He studies the coloration and the way the Halfling breaks up his outline with leaves. "You take the lesson of the Walking Stick, and hide yourself in plain sight." With another bow, he adds, "And I shall take the lesson of the Dexter and do likewise." He grinds in some color from the leaves and takes larger fronds, like the Halfling, to break up his outline and add additional color. He looks to Dexter and asks, "Have I done it correctly?"

When Dexter is also happy with it, Jaxsen sets off, staying within sight of the trail to the mine, and not actually on the trail itself. He concentrates on stealth more than speed, but does not stop unless he sees or hears something that might indicate the Dwarves' presence.