A deal is struck, back on the road again
Subject Negotiations
Well, see, Salix's "technique" was to be disarmingly naive and hope they are trustworthy. :P Worked, didn't it?
From: Shatra
Subject Negotiations
Ran, seeing the nod from Salix accepts the offer and asks that Shatra speak with him privately for a moment.
When they are appropriately secluded Ran begins to speak.
"Shatra, I am very pleased that our paths have crossed here. I have been struggling of late with many personal issues and I find myself in need of further adventure. I must complete this quest I am on right now as a duty to a friend and I must also settle some matters with my father but when that is complete, if it is possible, I would like to assist you and your friends with your troubles. That is, if you haven't had the good fortune of returning to your home before my time is available. What I ask is, would you take me on as a travelling companion if our paths cross again?"
From: Mark
Subject On the road again
Shatra and Ran shake hands and the deal is sealed. Shatra nods to Althea and she and Fal walk off to her horse to trade goods. Ran gestures to Shatra to walk a bit.
"Shatra, I am very pleased that our paths have crossed here. I have been struggling of late with many personal issues and I find myself in need of further adventure. I must complete this quest I am on right now as a duty to a friend and I must also settle some matters with my father but when that is complete, if it is possible, I would like to assist you and your friends with your troubles. That is, if you haven't had the good fortune of returning to your home before my time is available. What I ask is, would you take me on as a traveling companion if our paths cross again?"
Shatra looks a bit stunned at this admission and request. ?Friend Ran, I do not know if you know what you ask. Our quest is to return to our home world. Do you intend to go with us?? Ran stands silent under her stare, saying nothing. Shatra laughs and claps Ran on the back. ?Let me make you this offer instead. If our paths cross again and you would still like to join my party in our quest, I will say yes. If the gods of these lands see fit to make it so that we meet again, then I will agree that it was meant to be. Is that good enough for you?? Shatra holds out her hand. Ran gives a wan smile and takes her hand. ?Here is to the future.? he says.
The exchange is quickly made and farewells are said. All except Bear. He stands off alone, muttering that they might as well set up camp again, considering how little distance they would make that day. The party heads off east again, watching as Shatra and her party head north in to the mountains. It is another two days when they reach the bridge of the Dango River. There is a solid stone bridge and a small garrison. As the party approaches one of the guards moves out from the small keep that guards the bridge. Crossbowmen can be seen on top of the small fort, covering the man. When the party is about 50 yards away he shouts ?Halt, identify yourselves and your purpose.? Ran shouts back ?I am Ran-Ell, of Gorn and these are my friends. We travel to Gorn.? The man gestures Ran forward.
Ran rides forward and the man inspects him. ?Nine people and 10 horses? That would be 9 gold then.? Ran winces at the price, but digs out the gold. According to Salix and the rangers the nearest crossing over the river is almost a weeks journey down river. When Ran hands over the money, the man hands him a receipt that shows that they have paid. ?That is good for today, if you need to come back across? the man tells them. With that he waves the party across the bridge. As the cross they see that while the bridge is not all that far across, it is very high above the raging water below. The spring thaw in the mountains and the rains the past week have swollen the river into a raging torrent. There would be no way to ford this river this far north.
The next two days pass with out incident. On the first night Fal uses one of the scroll and identifies the amulet. ?It offers some protection from damage but nothing else? (OODM:Amulet of natural armor +1) The party is starting to head northeast now. They are still in the rough terrain at the base of the mountains that are now to their west. As they are starting to look for camp the second afternoon Bel comes back and reports that there is a very nice spot up ahead but that there are already 5 people there.
OODM: Two things. First who gets the amulet. Second what do you want to do about the people.
From: Jake
Subject On the road again
Surin looks longingly at the amulet, but says nothing. A little extra protection would be nice, but he isn't one of those that slew the half-orc, and given that he knows that the item rightfully belongs to one of the others. Besides, he was pretty quick on his feet, unlike the magic users. Better, he thinks, that one of them has it.
Hearing Bel's report, Surin pipes up. "Might not be a bad idea to send someone ahead, have 'em check out the group--maybe make sure there ain't an ambush laid, while I'm at it."
From: Kevin
Subject On the road again
Harp looks with wonder at the amulet. Such a small thing could act like armor? How was that possible? But he was forgetting that with the grace of his lord Heironious, he was able to make himself more difficult to damage, so inbuing a piece of jewlery with such an blessing would not be beyond his dieties abilities. While he desires any additional benefit he can get, he realizes that he is better prepared than may of the troop - granted it is because he is usually the first one to jump in harms way, but he had to live with what life had given him.
Upon hearing about the group ahead, Harp is concerned. Their last encounted had gone well enought, but to run into 2 parties on this path, just as they were looking to settle in was too much to ignore. Upon hearing Surin's offer to scout ahead and try to find something out about the one's ahead, Harp will give his complete agreement. If there is anyway that Harp can help Surin, he will offer it, though he knows that he is no match for the little halfling. Even if it means going only half way, so if Surin runs into trouble, Harp can come to his aid as best he can, he will offer such assistance.
From:Jake
Subject Scouting
Surin grins up at the half-orc. "That comin' along halfway sounds like a good idea--wouldn't mind havin' you to hide behind if something big is after me," he says with a laugh, then turns to the others. "Any chance them as have birds could have them help the two of us out, same as they did when I was scouting out the goblin camp?"