DreamLyrics™ Play-by-Post Forums Fantasy SKT: The Storm King's Thunder 3J - Leaving Yartar

[[ sounds like the consensus is 'no cart' <g> ]]

[This is a family-friendly game!! ]

DM

(Reposting as it appears to be lost in the OOC convo about carts.)

While a cart may have been useful on the stone roads to the west of Yartar, the road quickly gives way to gravel as the adventurers continue eastward, indicating that a cart or wagon might not be ideal along this stretch.

Although that decision is not universal. With the wide open countryside, Whisper can see well ahead and it's only about an hour into their journey that a fully loaded horse-drawn cart can be observed coming from the opposite direction.

There's plenty of time before the travelers meet for the party to discuss what, if anything, to do about the wagon, or the supplies thereon, or the driver thereof.

Jaliera

"Whisper reports a laden cart heading towards us. Would be a useful opportunity for information.. maybe even some trading.. but do we all want to show ourselves? Could intimidate the driver?"

<Bern>

"There is no way to tell which will be the better plan", he said with a shake of his head and a sigh. "Hiding the group is probably the safer plan", he offered with a shrug.

Zhu

"I see no need to hide. We are not up to banditry and this is a single laden cart, certainly a trader of some sort and little threat. Whoever it is, they can't run, and so must expect to meet others on the road. Lets just approach without an aggression."

<Bern>

"Except that the driver might talk about the 'group' he saw once he has delivered his load", he offered.

Zhu

"So? Why do we care? He is heading to where we just came from. They know all about us."

<Bern>

"And how have we gotten much of =our= 'information'? By talking to travelers", he said.

Zhu

"Exactly. Which is why hiding won't help us."

Davroar

"At least let's not spook the merchant, and only two or three of us approach while the rest of us hang back a bit."

Zhu

She shrugs, not really thinking it matters, but not worth arguing.

Zindra
"While dangers on this road have increased, merchants still need to ply their trade. Hopefully they are good folk."

She pulled her horse even with Bern. "You make a good point but maybe if that happens it's a good thing if they spread word that we're headed in this direction? If that doppleganger that looks like you wanted to track us, good, right? And I haven't seen this group run away from anything. If they're headed for Yartar, we're going in the other direction. If someone there wanted to give chase, they would need to catch up. I can't imagine that they pose any real danger to us."
ooc: A brief reminder to all that I am "playing" now. I don't know what Aqua has in store for us. I've given him some ideas but he takes it whatever way he wants to

<Bern>

It =was= a well reasoned plan, he thought as he nodded. "I have to admit it seems reasonable."

Arus

His horses laps up the miles with no fuss, and Arus is happy to let his companions take the lead. He was rearguard for a reason, after all.

He held his trident with the tines up and the butt cradled between his stirrups and shin. Comfy enough but at the ready and not as overtly hostile as drawing one's sword.

Kriv

"All right. I'll go with the conversation group, who else?" commented the Noble.

Arus

"Zindra and Bern, ride ahead with Kriv if you please. We won't be far behind you." he suggests.

Kriv has a certain, draconian charisma and Zindra and Bern are the party's scouts because of their keen senses.

Although sending Sindar might seem like a wise idea, it's still early and Arus doesn't want to tarry with the merchant any longer than a couple of minutes. A bard might take... longer than that.

<Bern>

It wasn't a surprise that he was selected but Zindra was a bit of a surprise. He nodded, then looked to Zindra's her reaction.

Jaliera

She decides to sent Whisper to keep a closer eye on the questioning.

DM

The group of 3 trots ahead of the rest of the group, perhaps to seem less threatening.

As the distance closes between the party and the merchant, he draws his horse to a halt. Although he is armed with a sword on his left hip, it remains sheathed as he transfers the reins into his left hand, and raises an empty right hand, palm forward in greeting to the trio. "Morning!" he offers cheerfully.

The cart behind him appears to be carrying a range of furs and hides, with some rolls of linen among the mix as well.

Zindra
She nodded at Arus, winked at Bern before moving forward towards the cart. As she neared, she called out "Well met!" with a cheery smile to the merchant. Her hand stayed away from her sheathed sword and her bow remained slung over her shoulder.

Her eyes kept a constant look out for danger.

Kriv

Although the gesture is more of a token given the ability to summon his weapons with a thought, the Dragonborn noble reciprocates the symbolic indication of peaceful intent.

"Hail and well met, I hight Kriv Norixius of Norixius Keep. The way is clear to Yartar behind us, anything of note on the road ahead?"

DM

"Aelan," the merchant replies, hand returning to his lap. "Good to know the road is clear, as I'm running low on gold for paying for protection," he adds with a grin.

Whether it's true or whether he's pretending not to have gold to mitigate any threat is unknown.

"It's been pretty quiet behind me all day... dismissed my last escort a few hours ago. Lots of activity going on the further you get from towns, though, between wild animals and those who hunt them."

His eyes scan the trio nearby and the others lurking further behind. "You'll probably be fine with a party your size, though. At least this side of Calling Horns. How far ya goin'?"

Zindra

The scout listens patiently to the merchant as he tells of the road ahead. She studies him and wonders if he's being completely forthright.

Zindra Insight - is the merchant being completely truthful
Neptune rolled 1d20+5 and got 13