Quote from: oblivion on May 09, 2016, 01:18:10 PMI shrug at the comment about my rank and reach for the portfolio. "Not cut out for the military, but it's...inescapable. For now."Flipping through the maps, I ask, "Where do I meet the party?""To the best of our knowledge they only recently left or are leaving Fort Deepdark. There are only so many places one can safely cross the lightning rail tracks with beasts of burden. I expect they'll be making for one of these bridges - most likely this one - " she taps the map - "Unless they plan to go to Irontown first. Were it me, I would start by attempting to intercept them at a crossing or en route to Irontown, and if unsuccessful, pursue them toward their resupply point in Lakeside."
I shrug at the comment about my rank and reach for the portfolio. "Not cut out for the military, but it's...inescapable. For now."Flipping through the maps, I ask, "Where do I meet the party?"
"Aye."A few low whistles to Creon sends him in a loop around the farmstead counter clockwise, while I make my round clockwise.[Perception for Pepper to see what she can see: 8+13 = 21][Perception for Creon to see what he can see: 6+7 = 13][Pepper's Animal Handling for Creon: 11+13 = 24][Stealth for Pepper: 3+13 = 16][Stealth for Creon: 13+2 = 15]
"Well then, it sounds like I can get a good night's sleep before heading out to seek the party. Will you join me for a trencher and another Bloody Maril?" I wave to the serving girl, who wends her way in our direction through the tables and benches.I have little hope another drink will loosen "Rose's" tongue but I'm hungry. And by damn, it's in her best interest to brief me thoroughly.
Our circuit complete, Creon and I link up and quietly rejoin the waiting group."Recce successful. No detection," I report to Leatherleaf, "Four humanoids were observed at the farmstead. It is new. There is shelter and provision.""We could disengage now, undetected and they would be none the wiser," I suggest with perhaps an inflection of hopefulness in my voice. "Or," I continue reluctantly," we could approach with little concern for opposition. They do appear to be ordinary farmers."
The little earring frightens me a little. Of course, it's obvious Rose belongs to a well-financed organization, with members in unexpected places. And now, I'm apparently part of it, for good or ill.A red flower, what does it mean? What organization (or cult) uses this symbol? "Is this safe to wear as an every day bauble?" I ask Rose.
I smile sympathetically at Astra. While I don't share her distrust of ghosts I'm certainly familiar with it. Especially in Karrnath. I maneuver closer to her."You okay Astra? If you're feeling sad maybe your mommy could give you a hug." I gesture towards Pepper and give Astra a wink."You know, some of my best friends were ghosts. Eventually. They aren't all bad. It seems to depend what sort of people they were when they were alive. But we can keep an eye on Mari, and if she turns bad, well, we have a genuine cleric with us."
"Hello!" I say, smiling at them. "Nice night, isn't it?"
"Pleased to meet you, Mistress Sattler," I reply. "We're a group of travellers with a long journey ahead of us, and my friends could use shelter for the night. In return, I could, uh...are there any light objects you need moved? I'm good at moving light objects."[Diplomacy: 17 + 8 + 1 = 26]
I catch up to Mari where she's talking to the farmers, indignant lizard behind me, and gesture a little frantically. "It's... sorry, we was just passing by and the godsbedamned ghost - but yeah, if we could hire your barn for the night, that'd be real helpful." After a brief pause, I blush and duck my head, adding, "Sorry, I'm Astra. Of Atur."[Diplomacy: 19+2+1=22]