Tests and Trials

[Dlover]

((I was reminded of Willy Wonka too.))

When he eventually finishes chewing, Lurn tilts his head to one side, considering Jaq's question, "I'm not sure. Maybe it's like if you try to eat a nut without removing the shell first?"

[spiderwrangler]

Kroshav will buy a saddle and assorted gear, as well as a sack of oats and some rope with one of his 25gp gems.

[Rodgeir]

While Jaq and Lurn discuss the finer points of eating things whole Kroshav purchases a mid-grade saddle and tack along with some bags and 20lbs of oats. In total he passes out 12 gold worth of gems and gets 9 silver back.

((Unless he wants to try and negotiate it down? Everything is used and already discounted. The saddle was 6 and tack was 1 gold, the bags 4 and the oats were a silver.))

He returns to find both his horses well brushed and Yimi, spotting Kroshav, gives both a long hug before saying,

"Auntie needs me to do stuff. Be good to Charlie and Eula! Eula will tell you what Charlie says she says. She promised not to lie."

Charlie looks rather more proud, despite being clearly the less impressive horse of the pair. Yimi waves absently to the rest of the group, gives the horses another hug, and heads into inn without another word.

Celus helping getting a horse saddled and says,

"We decided what we are gonna do?"

((It is around 1:30 in the afternoon. If you head west now you'll be a little behind the deconscripts but with the horses helping and a bit of rushing you'd catch them up at the midway camp before dark. Otherwise everything else is open!))

[Dlover]

((Lurn's good to set out.))

[spiderwrangler]

((So 13 gold and 9 silver in change? Only had gems of 25 gp. If my own horse brush got lost along the way, I'd pick up a replacement, along with any other missing bits.))

"I'll be sure to do that, thank you for your help Yimi!"

((Good to set out on my end too.))

[NotStickFigures]

(Yep, let's head out)

[Rodgeir]

((Yes, I made that a bit of a math story problem, which everyone knows and loves. He'd get a brush with what he bought.))

Yimi is already on her way in as Kroshav gives his thanks, hopefully not completely forgotten.

At that the party moves out of the 'Skirts and back into Grenmyr proper to find Jolly, Dama and Indra before moving out and back through the now familiar ruins of west Grenmyr. The military camp is noticably smaller today, the Balyon's having left along with a few hundred conscripts. The small party isn't bothered as they pass beyond the final checkpoint, and even receive a few salutes from soldiers that apparently recognize them. Celus confers with one of the soldiers before jogging to catch up with the others.

"Ya, we're 'bout an hour and half behind the last big group that had an escort. Few others left after them but I think we can make the camp before dark." He looks over at Dama who checks the sun and gives nod. Jolly walks along side Kroshav and the two (riderless?) horses,

"What ya going to do with Charlie now ya the new one? He just going to follow behind like a mule?"

Indra and Dama pass out a few supplies they purchased to the group, mostly basic dried rations.

((Someone roll me a d20. It's been a long time since anyone did that!))

[NotStickFigures]

random: 1D20 = [15] = 15

[Rodgeir]

((Feel free to roll anything like while you all walk. Perhaps Jaq wants to try out the eye-patch? He seemed excited by it!))

[spiderwrangler]

((Yeah, the horses are both saddled and carrying some packs, but since no one else is mounted, Kroshav is walking to keep pace. If they want any scouting ahead done, he'd mount up and ride out, but otherwise taking things easy.))

Kroshav cover's Charlie's ears.

"Nah, Charlie's been too good a horse to me to treat him like that! His saddle's the more comfortable one, Ealu's is meant for fighting, and she's better equipped for charging in and mixing things up. If it's looking like a fight, I'll mount up on her and give that lance a go, but for just riding, Charlie's carried me a whole lot of miles. If we get some other horses, he'd probably be alright with one of you riding him, but think Ealu'd rather only me."

He reaches out mentally to her for confirmation.

[Rodgeir]

Ealu is, for a horse, very interested in looking around as the party walks. She also seems to listen to different conversations, wandering in the direction of Indra and Celus talking about the temple of Lathander at one point. She pings Kroshav mentally for explanations of some slang that Celus uses but mostly just listens. She eyeballs Jolly as he comes up and asks his question and listens to Kroshav's answer shooting back,

► Show Spoiler

You tell me what do for helping you help the Five and I do it. You want me to carry another person that isn't you and I will do that. You know what is best for serving the Five. (more quietly) Charlie can still hear you when you put your hands on his ears and he doesn't like it. He doesn't understand very much! Mostly he talks about eating, pooping, things that might eat us from the woods, pulling heavy things and mating.

Several hours later as the sun is just above the treetops the party see thin trails of smoke rising into the sky. A while later they hear the sound of people talking loudly. Before the ruins of Narmyr come into view a trio of soldier emerge from the trees to the south and wave to the party to stop, they don't have their weapons ready and look fairly relaxed. The lead soldier moves forward and the others stay near the trees. She says, in a friendly tone,

"More conscripts heading home? Who was your direct commander and why are you getting in so late?"

[spiderwrangler]

((Ealu))

Kroshav will apologize to Charlie, scratching the spot he likes between his ears instead.

"We were in Corporal Arbelm's squad, had some business in town before heading out.", he calls.

[Rodgeir]

The soldier, a corporal, stops walking forward a few yards away and looks the party over nodding at Arbelm's name. She apparently doesn't see anything worth stopping you for and waves you west saying,

"Welcome to the long haul. You're not in the military anymore but try and keep things orderly. We're here to protect you," she notes the group's weapons and armor, "Though you lot look to have come in with a bit more experience and gear the most of the rest with us. You pass anyone else on the way here we should be expecting tonight?" Indra gives a negative and the corporal adds, "Tell the lieutenant you passed through the east side and corporal Lantha. See you tomorrow."

She turns back and heads into the woods again with her companions.

In the camp the mood is festive, there are easily a hundred individuals moving around a dozen fires laughing and talking. There doesn't seem to be much order in the camp but there are a pair of fires a little removed from the rest clearly belonging to the soldiers. Near to the soldier's fire there are a dozen horses being fed. A few of the non-soldiers note your arrival without interest but a soldier straightens on seeing you and waves you over. Indra says,

"I will introduce us, you can start making camp for the night."

She heads off to speak with with the soldier.

[spiderwrangler]

If there is a nearby stream, Kroshav will take the horses to it (if not, he'll ask), then see about getting them fed (grazing or rations), before brushing down Charlie, then Ealu.

[Rodgeir]

It looks as if this site has been in use for a long time, there is a spot cut out of the woods south of the road with a small stream and plentiful grass. The stream looks to flow from the north side of the road, where the people are camping and a small stone culvert carries the stream under the road. There are signs of not to distant in the past digging around the culvert and the culvert itself looks new.

Celus and Dama cut off to try and claim a spot not too far from the stream but also not too close to any of the other claimed sites. Jolly will help Kroshav with Charlie and Ealu as needed. Indra joins those at the camp and says,

"We're checked in here now. They head out an hour after dawn, we go then or get left behind."

[Dlover]

"Best not to stay awake too long, then. I'm not concerned by traveling with a smaller group, but now that we've caught up, might as well stay with the group."

[NotStickFigures]

Jaq will help with setting up their little camp then he will sit and relax. He will plan to do his bit of trance early in the night, then help watch for the rest of the night.

[spiderwrangler]

Kroshav will lead the horses to a place to drink, then removing saddles and gear to let them graze while Jolly and he brush them down. He doesn't hobble or tie off the horses, trusting them not to run away.

[Rodgeir]

Ealu assures Kroshav she won't be running off.

Dama responds to Lurn with a snort,

"Gonna be hard to sleep through this lot getting up tomorrow." She looks around at the other camps and says, "Somehow they got some booze so not everyone will be comin' tomorrow. Also don't look like they are botherin' to keep anything like a watch. Lucky the soldiers are here keepin' an eye for them."

Indra confirms,

"The soldiers are watching the roads and the north side of the camp but there's going to be a lot of space they can't cover. Probably not a bad idea to keep our own watch."

If Jaq communicates his intent to trance early Indra and Celus both offer to take a couple hour first and second watch. Celus seems pleased by the, for him, return to normalcy,

"Just like caravaning shorthanded!"

((Can I get a perception check from Jaq for his watch please. Anyone doing anything else before calling it a night?))

[spiderwrangler]

Kroshav will keep a watch close to dawn. He'll otherwise just be chatting with any that are staying up a bit, answer any questions Ealu has telepathically before turning in.

[Dlover]

Lurn wants to settle in to rest, but any time he doesn't need for rest he can put toward keeping watch.

[Rodgeir]

((Give me a perception roll for Kroshav and Lurn as well please.

[spiderwrangler]

_: 1D20+1 = [9]+1 = 10

[Dlover]

Perception: 1D20+8 = [18]+8 = 26

[Rodgeir]

((Just waiting for NSF's roll.))