Meet the Gray Man, What Now?
Subject: Re: Crashing the party
Garyth smiles easily. "Er, hello lads. The night's gotten a bit chilly and we hoped you'd have a bit of room to spare by your fire."
From: Ty
Subject: Crashing the party
The robed man raises a hand in a gesture of peace. "Greetings, travelers. I'm sorry that we cannot share this room with you, but we would be honored to provide you with any victuals you may need before sending you on your way again."
Almost at the same moment, Garyth says, "Er, hello lads. The night's gotten a bit chilly and we hoped you'd have a bit of room to spare by your fire."
There is another awkward pause?
[I am only waiting on moves from Mike, Dan, or Tom. So, I will be throwing out actions as they come in to me, even if it is one at a time. Play-By-Email in REAL TIME.]
:)
From: Dan
Subject: Re: Crashing the party
"We would be pleased to share a meal with you Brother, the night is dark, our path has been long and I would not mind hearing a new story or two. If you would have us off than we will be off, but surely you don't mind sharing some of the good cheer that brought us here?"
From: Tom
Subject: Re: Crashing the party
"I appreciate the offer, but I think it's best that you moved on. You can't trust anyone around here, and the sooner we're ALL on our way, the better." He gestures to a small pile of gear. "Is there anything you're lacking? We can give you some jerky, hardtack, arrows, or wine, if stores are low. Where are you bound?"
From: Ty
Subject: Crashing the party
After Garyth finishes speaking, the man in gray seems to consider for a moment. Then he Gareth over carefully, and shakes his head. "I can't say that I wouldn't like the company normally, but we've already had more than our share of run-ins with bandits on this trip. You're welcome to any supplies we have in surplus, and we'd be happy to share maps and advice about the road -- depending on the direction you're heading -- but we've been burned before. We won't be taken in again."
Given the number of evil beings heading east, it is quite possible that these men have already run into one or more unsavory characters as they travel. Garyth nods, and gets ready to reply when Cadfael says, "We would be pleased to share a meal with you Brother, the night is dark, our path has been long and I would not mind hearing a new story or two. If you would have us off than we will be off, but surely you don't mind sharing some of the good cheer that brought us here?" [Diplomacy roll 28]
Cadfael's words are seasoned just right, but the man in gray is already shaking his head half way through his speech. "I appreciate the offer, but I think it's best that you moved on. You can't trust anyone around here, and the sooner we're ALL on our way, the better." He gestures to a small pile of gear. "Is there anything you're lacking? We can give you some jerky, hardtack, arrows, or wine, if stores are low. Where are you bound?"
It is clear that the party will not be welcomed into this tower.
[waiting on dan or mike]
From: Mike
Subject: Re: Crashing the party
"We'd hate to be a burden on you, and we are relatively well provisioned. We're headed inland, toward the mountain. And yourself?"
From: Tom
Subject: Re: Crashing the party
The man smiles. "We're actually headed deeper into the jungle, believe it or not, to pick some rare plants. The heady life of the intrepid adventurer, eh?" He laughs wryly, clearly expecting you to commiserate. "What sends you to the mountain?"
From: Dan
Subject: Re: Crashing the party
"We are not bound so much to the mountain as we are the other side. There seems to be a strange infection and affliction of the mind that has taken some of the Chorrdath Halfling tribe to the East of here. In their desperation many of their bravest warriors journeyed out across the land, looking for some who could offer aid. Their need must be great if it lead them to approach Father Belstaff in Nesalin. He bid me aid the Halfing and his tribe and so I left shortly thereafter. The Halfling apologized for not being able to guide us further but assured me that his home was easily found. While on my way to the jungle I paused in Overlook and asked if there was anyone who could aid in me in my journey through it, as that seemed the fastest way to reach my destination. Brother Garyth here was kind enough to volunteer, which brings us to where we are now."
"I am sorry for the trouble you have had with bandits, Brother. We have had the good fortune to encounter little on our way here. If any of your company are wounded I would be more than happy to tend to them before we are on our way. It is dark times when you feel you cannot trust a soul, Brother, allow me this act of kindness and perhaps your faith in your fellows will be restored?"
Cadfael finishes with a warm smile, waiting to see what is said in response.
From: Ty
Subject: Crashing the party
Something about the way the man glances to the side as he describes going into the jungle for "rare plants" doesn't sit well with Cadfael, though there is no real reason to disbelieve him. When he finishes telling the gray man his tale, the man nods agreeably, if insincerely.
[where from here?]
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Crashing the party
The man in gray says, "Again, thank you -- but no. Good luck on your quest, and stay alert out there; something seems to have riled up every evil creature for miles. Apparently that includes feral halflings. We haven't seen any of them ourselves, thank the gods."
He waves. "Keep safe."
Then he gives you an expression that clearly means, go away. The fighter takes one step forward, and without changing his expression at all, suddenly looks menacing.
From: Mike
Subject: Re: Crashing the party
The fingers on Garyth's right hand twitch a bit as the fighter steps forward, but he doesn't move for his weapons. "No need for any excitement," he says, sizing up the man. "We'll be on our way. I hope you find what you seek."
He jerks his head back the way they came, "Let's go, Brother." He backs away a few steps before turning back the way he came.
From: Scott
Subject: Re: Crashing the party
OOC: Ty, can any of us out in the bushes hear the conversation?
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Crashing the party
Not really. You can hear bits of what Cadfael and Garyth are saying, but nothing of what those inside say.
Rennik can hear everything through his door.
From: Raja
Subject: Testing, testing...
I'm back now, and mostly recovered. Fortunately I appear to have done nothing noteworthy. :)
From: Ty
Subject: Testing, testing...
Didn't you get the email were Sa'id's long lost brother returns, but their happy reunion is shattered when it is discovered that Sa'id had been dating the girl his brother loved?
Oh, then their mother got cancer, and there was a wedding at which horrifying secrets were revealed.
From: Ty
Subject: Crashing the party
I am just waiting on Dan to say whether Cadfael wants to walk away, or wants to try and parlay further, before I send the next turn.
From: Dan
Subject: Re: Crashing the party
"Peace be with you, Brother"
Cadfael will follow Garyth back toward the rest of the group.
From: Ty
Subject: Crashing the party; can't get past the bouncer
Cadfael and Garyth walk back to the tree line, and the rest of the party waiting there. Mission continues to cover the doorway with his crossbow, but asks what was said. Cadfael recounts the conversation, and his belief that the man was being dishonest in some way.
After a moment of silence, Farron says, "What now?"
From: Ty
Subject: Crashing the party; what now?
There is a pause after Farron asks, "What now?"
Mission keeps his eye on the front door, and suddenly shadow fills the doorway. It looks like someone was moved up and is standing right in the doorway. He sees a glint of firelight on steel. It's probably the big fighter type that Rennik saw before. After a few moments, the shadow backs up.
"I think the big one is watching through the front door," he says.
From: Mike
Subject: Crashing the party; what now?
Garyth frowns. He whispers, "They know we're here, then." He thinks a moment. "As I see it we have two options: we can either back off for now, perhaps tracking them tomorrow, or we can go back and tell them our true purpose. The first would be safer now, but the second might be better in the end. If these are our enemies, we may yet have to fight them, in which case our odds look better when they have no one to reinforce them. And if they are not our enemies, they may have a similar purpose to our own. At the least we wouldn't have to worry about them following us."
From: Ty
Subject: Crashing the party; what now?
Actually, as dark as it is out here, there would be no way someone in the tower doorway, with the firelight behind them, could see the party in the woods.
From: Scott
Subject: Crashing the party; what now?
Mission chews on his lip. "Cadfael-- you spoke of a blessing Pelor could grant you-- to be able to detect evil. That was how we discovered Anileth."
He holds his palms open and shrugs, "Perhaps now would be a good time to try again?"