Of Kings and Commoners - Into Iobaria

Game Master KingmakerDM

You can't get back in to the Ruby Guesthouse without one of the special rubies, so you will have to find another inn.

On the question of rolls for what would be best, I'm going with Ayni being persuaded from the previous Diplomacy rolls to choose what would be best based off what is available for selection. She will put that together and then when you go to sell you will get bonuses to the roll for the sale. That way we don't have to come up with specific items that would be best.

Kara pipes up. "Hey guys, as long as we're here and have some time, do any of you wanna check out the Aldori Academy? It's supposed to be one of the top military colleges in the world, and I've always wanted to see it! Who knows, since our mission is war-like in nature, we might pick up some useful tips!"

I can see the Academy because an important fulcrum for some plot development, especially if war is looming on the horizon.

In that case, just forget he said that. Given how little cash Radek has, he might be sleeping in that park tonight.

And while I would be interested in seeing some of the sights of Restov, Radek would be focused on preparing for the trip. That could flesh out the market section of the city a little. The main thing I'd be interested in here is learning more about the Swordlords but I don't see any of them making time to talk to us yet. Maybe Radek could find his way to one of those taverns full of Rostland patriots so we could talk some politics.

Radek shakes his head. "I'm going to see if I can find any good maps of the road and Iobaria in general. Or any travelogues or books about the people and culture. Anything is better than going in blind."

Avery looks up at Radek, "We're not going in blind, we have me. I'm quite the expert on the ancient lands, I'm an archaeologist after all."

knowledge(geography): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11
knowledge(history: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26

Tell me what I know about Iobaria from this.

Avery knows all the information here. He's going to know more history than geography obviously at the moment. I will supply more history later when it is relevant and important to you.

Lol - I feel really foolish. For some reason I thought that Iobaria was to the west of Brevoy. I did not realize that this adventure is actually taking us the other way into the unknown and out of Avistan.

Radek shrugs. "And I've been as far east as the Castrovin Sea. That's no reason not to buy a map or see if there's a guidebook written by someone who knows more."

Know:Geography: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17 Not that it really matters while we're sitting in Restov, but Radek's a wilderness guide who has been into Iobaria before, so he knows something about the place. He'd just like to know more.

As the companions stand and discuss how they will pass the time until the morrow, the sky begins to become hazy and a north wind begins to blow through the city.

Pjiana looks up at the sky and takes note of the wind and the falling temperate. “It will snow soon, probably within the hour.”

“Yes, I agree,” responds Radek as he can also read the signs and feel confident about what is ahead.

Knowing that Pjiana wants a bit of the outdoors after being cooped up all night, Mark leads the group to the center of the city and a rather nice and large park. Aldori Park, named after the famed duelist that formed the Aldori dueling school and created the Swordlords. The park is rather beautiful and well maintained even just now beginning to come out of winter. There are a number of very old and large trees as well as other new-growth trees that line walkways and other areas. In the center of the park is a large statute of Baron Sirian Aldori. Along walkways and passages that lead to the center of the park are other smaller statues of former famous swordlords. Pjiana begins to feel much better as she walks among the trees and takes in the fresh air. As the group is making their way out of the park the snow that Pjiana and Radek foresaw begins to fall. It promises to be a light dusting, just enough to add some beauty to the landscape and the day.

The group then makes their way out of the park and Mark leads them back across Brindle’s Bridge to the island in the Shrike River where the Lord Mayor’s residence is along with the Aldori Academy and other sites. Unfortunately, the best the group can do is to look through the large gates into the courtyard beyond. The Aldori Academy is itself a fortified castle that allows no one other than invited guests or students to pass through its gates. Two heavily armed guards keep watch outside the lowered portcullis but they don’t mind the group looking through the bars to view the students practicing in the courtyard beyond. A group of about twenty young men and women work through steps of the fighting styles with fluid and graceful movements. They do their best to ignore the cold and the falling snow as they progress through the movements in light shirts and breeches. Their Aldori dueling swords are a blur of movement as they spin and circle around their bodies moving from hand to hand as necessary to ward off imaginary blows, recover, and prepare for a strike of their own. If the movements were not harbingers of death they would be beautiful to behold.

An hour later the group is seated around a table in Bieven’s Tavern, a local tavern that is known for its political discussions among the patrons. A large fire roars at their back pushing away the chill of the morning and the snow. The ale is strong but full of flavor, the bread and cheese fresh. They sit back drinking their ale and enjoying the food as a man named Stanes discusses the current Swordlord Council with them.

“Sir Richard Iannuchi is your current Lord Commander of the Council,” Stanes continues around a drink of his ale. “An old bear of a man, in his 50’s but word is he’s the second best swordsman of them all. Second only to Lord Ghirlandaio. Sir Richard is brother-in-law to Quintus Ravennus, the Lord Mayor of Verton, a region a bit north of the city. Ianucchi’s main task these days is keeping some of the more martially minded Swordlords from open warfare.”

“The only Swordlord that currently lives in the city is Jamandi Aldori. She’s the current instructor at the academy and is a gifted swordsman herself. Young and beautiful as well, with many suitors but none able to get past her defenses so far.” Stanes smirks a bit with his last comment before continuing.

“Lady Ariana Santorini, Stefan Mandor, Gerrol ‘Terregrossa’ Manolo, Antonio Ghirlandaio, Ivan and Victor Vasseri, these are the names of the other Swordlords on the Council. They all live in other parts of Brevoy, meeting every so often in secret locales to discuss their plans. Each of them is able to field a small army on their own, combined they have a force that can be reckoned with. Which is why many believe the King-Regent hasn’t already moved to make himself King in every way. He doesn’t know how the Swordlords would respond yet.”

Stanes looks at his empty mug of ale and then at Mark. It is clear that further discussion will require a whetting of his throat.

Ok, moved us along a bit. Ask any questions you might have about the Swordlords or the current political situation. If you don't have any, we can move along further.

Kara nodded enthusiastically as the man spoke. She took out a small note pad and jotted down the notes. As she wrote, so giggled slightly as the man kept up a running editorial about who was a better swordsman. "Such a backwards custom. If political power is accrued with martial skill, 'tis a wonder some storm giant has not taken a moment's leisure to gather the whole bag under his thumb." She continues scribbling, unaware that that was out loud.

Pausing to take a sip and refresh herself with another cheese-laden slice, she takes up Stanes' discussion, not fully catching his glance at Mark.

"Hypothetically speaking, if Iobaria were to declare war on Brevoy, how would the Stormlords, erm, Swordlords, take the news. Would that be enough to unify them?
But more importantly, would any of them stand to profit from such a venture? Do one of them have a monopoly on smithing armor and weapons? Or on the iron trade?"

Kara was hoping that her paranoid impulses would come to naught, but it never hurt to ask. She wanted to makes sure she wasn't being set up in some labyrinthine fall, or that there wouldn't be inner factions seeking to urge what she sought to stop. Hence, her first motive was to see who would profit from what and go from there. As the ancient lore tells us: Follow the money.

Brynwyrdd signals the alekeep for another round, pressing a handful of coins into their hand and locking eyes with the serving boy/girl. Keep the liquid flowing and there's more where that came from. He turns his attention to their host and the Halfling. Can't have a fine fellow die of thirst...however, my astute young friend asks valid questions. Who stands to profit most, I wonder?

Mark is listening carefully to Kara's astute questions. He's glad that the halfling is so ready and willing to display her knowledge of such things. In Mark's experience, letting other people know you were smart just made them hate you. "Better to be thought of as a dumb lout, so that the endeavors of the mind that you undertake may be done in secret, away from prying eyes of nosy neighbors." He could remember every word his mother told him as if it were yesterday.

The fighter gives a shake of his head and puts a grin back on his face, pulling from his mug briefly. "War, yeah," he says, after finishing the ale, "What is it good for?"

With another tankard of ale before him, a broad smile appears under the graying beard of Stanes. He takes a long drink as he eyes Kara before setting the mug on the table once more. His hand lingers on it as he purses his lips and thinks.

"Well, Iobaria ain't invading nobody," he says by way of beginning. "No central government, no standing army, and most of the folk live in small settlements nothing more than hamlets. None of the koffars that rule the few cities there have much influence outside of their immediate area. No, Iobaria won't be looking for war but war can still come across the Icerime Peaks. There are plenty of humanoid tribes always itching fer a fight. They get too big and they come down out of the mountains tryin' to see what they can take through force. That's yer real concern from the eat."

Stanes turns back to his ale and takes a few more lengthy draws from it. "Some orc or hobgoblin army coming down out of the Icerime wouldn't really mean all that much to the larger swordlords. Sure, most of 'em would come a runnin' at the chance to redden their blades and gain spoils of war but it wouldn't be because it was any actual threat. You want to unite all the Swordlords behind a common cause? Declare independence from Brevoy!" Stanes finishes his comment with a firm nod of his head followed by draining his ale. The empty mug slams on the table as Stanes pulls his hand away. He begins to flex the fingers as if they are unused to being empty.

Kara tap-tap-taps on her pad, digesting the man's words. "No, wait, that doesn't make sense. So you're saying that Kridorthrost is not the capital? How...how is it a country called 'Iobaria' without a central government. I'm starting to think that, of the nothing that I know about this place, there's a whole lot more nothing than I thought.

So, there are some major cities in the region though, yeah? Are they all just city-states, or do they have some kind of league?"

Kara pauses to consult the map that Radek picked up, reading some of the brief entries on various towns.

"What if Hroran wants to buy something that Fralras produces? Is there any kind of over-all control that would pick that up, or is it purest anarchy?

Still, it seems like most of the power is concentrated in Antoll, Orlov, or...hmmmmm, this place called Mirnbay. Huh. It seems like if there was to be a move or a shake, it would come from there."

Kara contemplates a 'country' that has pure, unadulterated anarchy. Fortunes could be made...if you had strength enough to hold it.

Radek shrugged. "Nobody really claims to control all of Iobaria anymore, Kara. It's scattered villages where people can't even agree on the name of a hill or a forest from town to town. Think clans or tribes instead of nation or country."

"I don't think anybody on this side of the Icerimes would call Krisorthrost a city. More like a village. Maybe Mirnbay would be considered a small city over here. Orlov is mostly a ruin people haven't had the good sense to abandon."

As the discussion turns to small abandoned cities turned towns and trade between small villages, Pjiana's head begins to spin. Deciding that this is not her area of expertise, she begins to think back to wandering in the foothills of the Icerime and looking up at the tall peaks and the monsters that supposedly live there.

Recalling what little she knows, she asks a question:
How is our caravan to get there? I know of few passes that are usable in the best of times. Skywatch and Stoneclimb are in the mountains, but neither controls a pass, and to the best of my knowledge Skywatch has been sealed off since the ruling family disappeared.

In the south is the Valley of Fire, and unless we wish to find the answer to the question of whether Choral's dragons are still alive, I do not believe that would be a wise choice. Thus, we either head straight east from here, south of the mountains and just north of the Stolen Lands, or we head all the way north and charter a ship across the Lake of Mists and Veils. The northern route is likely safer, but I doubt either is safe, or really known at this time.

To answer Pji's question, Kara checks over her notes.

"According to the Mayor, we're supposed to 'travel across the plains to the Pass of Nargolar to cross the Icerime Peaks. Then go east across the Hills of Nomen where you can meet up with the Koloran road which will take you south along the edge of the Norinor Wood.'

Hmmm. The Road is on the map, but I have...no clue where this 'Pass of Nargolar' is. Is that the thing by the Maw of Karth?"

As Kara asks questions about Iobaria, the various cities and such, Stanes gives Mark a look that says What in the Nine Hells have you gotten yourself into boy?! He sits back and takes up another tankard of ale as it is placed on the table before him. Bushy eyebrows furrow over his dark eyes as he looks at Kara. When Radek speaks up he replies with a nod, "Now thar's the right o'it! 'Had the good sense to abandon', ha! That's a good way ta think o'it. Gotta remember, this ain't Old Iobaria yer traveling to. This is Iobaria that's been crushed by various plagues fer centuries. Ain't no one been able ta unite any number o'the clans and such since Choral did. He came across tha mountains with his dragons an'he ne'er returned! Most o'tha place has been given back over to tha beasts and such."

Stanes returns to his ale as Pjiana and Kara talk some more. After a few minutes he takes out a small pouch from his belt. Digging in with a couple of fingers he pulls out some dark chewing tobacco. He pushes the dark mass into the back of his left cheek before offering the pouch to the others. "Anyone fancy a chaw? This 'ere they call Belkzen Blood. Claim it has tha blood o'orcs blended in fer flavor. I doubt that but it does have a kick to it!"

"Tha Pass ain't on that map," Stanes says as he looks over the map, "but it's yer way over tha mountains here. It's pretty much due east o'ere. I'm sure yer drivers will know how ta get there. Better anyway, right?!" he laughs and then launches a rather large spit of the tobacco juice into a bucket near his seat.

"Anyway, back to yer original question, I don' see trouble really coming from Iobaria. The real trouble will come when Noleski declares himself King. And he will, mind ye, eventually. What will the Swordlords do then? Shoot, what will all of Rostland do then? I'd imagine Noleski would like to either 'ave Restov and the Swordlords on his side or 'ave them gone. Either way he can't be havin' an enemy to his south if Medvyed doesn't support his claim."

The published maps don't have a lot of things that are going to be in our campaign, one of which is the Pass of Nargolar as well as other little towns and villages that you might cross on the way east. Don't worry too much about that.

Let me know when you are done with the questions here and we can move on to the next day. No rush, just passing that along.

Radek raised his mug in acknowledgment of Stanes's agreement but shakes his head at the offer of chewing tobacco. He nods at his description of the Pass. "That's how I crossed over when I was heading east."

The white haired man grunts at the description of the political situation. Of course, they weren't likely to get a positive depiction of the Surtovas sitting here in a partisan tavern in Restov. "Good time to be heading out east, far away from all these court intrigues, it sounds like."

Kara passes on the chewing tobacco, but then considers it. "Master Stanes, is that sold locally around here? Might it be possible to purchase a bit of that?"

Kara returns to her notes, then shakes her head, as if she's trying to make the myriad shapes and 4-D puzzle pieces fall into place.
"I'm certain that Noleski will have his ducks in a row when he declares. He's held on to power this long, so he must be a clever man, and the most powerful either ascend or fall. He's not fallen, so he must know how to gain friends by flinging around the near-infinite money and prestige that he has at his disposal as the top-dog.

I mean, look at the other scenario. Suppose Medvyed doesn't support him. Then what? Do the other houses love them so much that they'll fall in behind them? Orlovsky, maybe, but that would be an enemy-of-my-enemy kind of thing, not really a bond of love. And then what? Would the rest of the houses be so sure of themselves that they wouldn't distrust every other one to just be looking to cut the quickest deal? While the sons of the houses might wish to go off and stand against...something, their fathers will remind them they were passed lands and titles because those before them did not go off and fight.
Maybe if Medvyed and Orlovsky were unassailable in their positions, then they could count on seducing other houses to their cause, but with all their forces pointed West how could they hold off any attack from the Icer--."

Kara quickly stops speaking, for fear that she may have wondered too far afield.
She buries her face in an ale mug for a while, and comes up giggling.
"Oh, nevermind me. All this po-lo-tics stuff makes my head hurt. I've never been very good at. But, what can you expect from a muffle-headed girl from Galt? Heehee."

Kara starts playing with her hair and taking an obsessive interest in her nails.

Radek chuckles into his ale. "Yes, Galtans are well known for their aversion to politics."

Mark slowly raises one eyebrow at Kara's "I'm-just-a-silly-girl" routine, wondering if anyone was fooled. He tries not to show his reaction to Stanes, but he knows that Stanes can read him like a book. Mark has never had a good poker face.

Pjiana has no need for a poker face. She knows of most of the houses being mentioned, but really has little knowledge, or care, about who is seducing who, and which house might have a scion capable of challenging some other scion for a piece of land which most wild animals could easily conquer in a matter of days without extensive planning and monetary expenditures. Plus, why conquer it anyway. Just live on the land and care for the land, and the land will do the same for you. Foolish nobles and their self-serving ideas.

Avery chuckles at Kara's obvious bluff. "Heh heh. Yeah, me too. As long as I get my gold from this mission, and a chance to see Iobaria of course, then Cayden be damned about politics."

After drinking and talking politics late into the night, the companions do their very best to try and get some rest. The rooms at Bieven's are not near as large, beautifully decorated, or comfortable as The Ruby Guesthouse but they are more along the lines of what everyone is used to. In the end, despite the excitement of starting a new adventure on the morrow, everyone manages to get a good night of rest. Radek and Mark are especially glad to have their hangovers behind them.

Fireday - 7th of Pharast, 4708 AR

Weather for the day: High 28, Low 19. Overcast, mostly cloudy during day and light snow around evening. Winds out of the North 10-18 mph.

Although the promise of the day brings new hope and adventure for the six companions, the day itself brings nothing that fosters hope. Gray and overcast, with the possibility of snow later in the day, is what the friends have greeting them as they leave Bieven's and head to Ayni's warehouse. The sun does little to bring any warmth and everyone has to bundle up as they walk to stay warm. A brisk wind out of the north cuts through any opening bringing a quick chill.

Once at the warehouse the group finds Ayni at work giving orders just the same as yesterday. It appears that she has received much better wagons and even your untrained eyes can see that these are sturdy wagons and good horses that will pull them. Ayni is bundled up against the cold with a large fur. She motions for you to come over.

"I went ahead and secured this cold weather gear for you," she shows you several sets of cold weather outfits. "I had to guess at the general fit but I think it will keep you warm. It appears that winter will stay with us for a little while longer. I have also procured some camping supplies, rations, and other necessary items for you."

As she talks three men walk up to join the group. Ayni introduces them as your drivers for the caravan. "Tethya Jehannin, Foshan Ernald, and Kenn Armin." Each of the men nod their heads as they are introduced.

"Call me Shan," offers Foshan with a smile. Blonde, curly hair almost fully covers the thin, bright face of the young man. He appears to be in his mid-twenties at best. He has dancing hazel eyes that look cheerfully over the companions who will be his guard for the journey. He is of average height and a lean build though he does appear capable of handling himself in a fight. He wears no weapon at the moment however.

"I'll be the boss of the train," replies Kenn as he steps forward to greet the group. Kenn has gray, straight hair that gently hangs over a chiseled face. He has squinting black eyes that appear to have seen much in the course of his many years. He is shorter than the other men and heavy set. He appears like he has had to defend himself quite a bit over his lifetime as he bears a number of scars on his face.

"And that leaves me," says Tethya with a smile. For the first time you realize that the third driver is a woman. Ginger, short hair slightly covers her warm face. Freckles are spread elegantly around her cheeks. She has a skinny frame but stands taller than Kenn.

"Just do what we tell ya, when we tell ya, and we'll all be just fine," says Kenn in a matter-of-fact way. "The three o'us have been over the Icerime's several times together already. We aim to make it once more 'fore we're done."

He then looks at Ayni, "All loaded up on our end. When they are all packed and in we'll be ready to head out. I'd like to make Strathe by end o'day. What little daylight we 'ave will be burning quick today I fear."

The three drivers then head off to make one final check of the wagons, the load, and the horses. They then hop up in the driver's seat of the wagons and wait for the group.

"Well, load it up and get moving!" Ayni says with a smile to the group.

Will pause here just in case you have any final questions. Consider all the things listed in the discussion page as having been purchased from Ayni or before now.

Mark grins widely as he holds up the coat he was given for inspection. "Ooooh...I like how many pockets this thing has." he chuckles as he swings it around over his shoulders, marveling at the feel. "Real fur!" he says, still chuckling, and with a faint tone of amazement in his voice. "Call me...Lord Talbot," he says, mockingly affecting a deeper, more distinguished voice, better suited for nobility. He makes a frou-frou hand gesture as he speaks.

Once he finishes messing around he'll load up his gear. His clothing and sturdy equipment he puts into a large backpack, cunningly designed to distribute weight evenly; he also bears a huge, heavy suitcase marked FRAGILE and keeps it within arms' reach when he boards the caravan.

Radek shakes hands with Shan, Kenn, and Tethya. "I'm Radek. Always nice to have good people to travel with." He thumps the flank of the wolf at his side. "This is Nora. She's friendlier than she looks." The white haired man nods in the direction of the black Issian Don he'd bought with Kara's generous donation of funds. It was outfitted in old but well maintained cavalry harness and looked ready to travel for days.

"We'll be your scouts. I've been through the pass a couple of times and been as far east as Mirnbay. I'm sure you're more familiar with the route than I am, though, so I'll take your directions on the road. Thanks for letting us tag along."

At the signal to be off, he swings up easily into the black horse's saddle and waits to follow the wagons out of the city.

Pjiana smiles at the teamsters.
It is nice to meet you. I am Pjiana. While I have not travelled this route, I have some skill in the wild and can help to serve as a scout when necessary. Unfortunately, my riding skills are not the best, although I have spent many hours working with animals.

Not being the most comfortable in the saddle, Pjiana scratches the horse behinds its ears and talks with it before attempting to mount.

Handle Animal: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9
Ride: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20

After initially annoying the poor horse, I guess it had a bad breakfast, Pjiana manages to somehow climb into the saddle with great style.

Hmmm, that was easier than I thought.

Kara wrapped herself tight in her new clothes with relish. She loved wearing heavy coats, it always made her feel...hugged.

She fancies the new drivers with bright smiles. "Well heya all! Hope ya don't mind if chat while we ride. I didn't even know Iobaria existed until a few days ago!"

She mounts but keeps a close orbit of the wagons. "So, how many times have y'all been over the big I.R.? And what's the biggest, baddest thing y'all ever encountered up there?"

Kara figures the more war stories she can get out of them, the more data whe can gather.

And like they say: 'There Is No Knolwedge That is Not Power.'

Brynwyrdd nods at each driver in turn as they introduce themselves to the group. He sizes each man...no, both men and the woman from head to toe. All seem capable enough, though time will test their true worth....hopefully not to their peril.

After Pjiana finishes her introduction, Bryn steps forward and addresses the driver-masters: Greetings, you may call me Brynwyrdd. I wield the power of caelum ad infinitum. You wish a thing no more, and with but a wave of my hand... and with this, he makes an elaborate hand gesture simulating something shooting from his finger tips and the "thing" exploding....the thing is no more

Bluff: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20

With that, he walks to his place on the wagon - looking very bored until the caravan is underway.

Avery nods at the drivers, Names' Avery, if you want to know anything about anything ask me. Also I can shoot things pretty well." He then walks up and gets on his pony, ready to go.

HEE-YA!

With a shout and flick of the reigns, Kenn gets the lead horse moving and with it the wagon. The others follow along behind with riders settling in as well. The trek through the city is difficult and takes quite a while, much longer than Kenn wants. He yells at various folk to get out of the way from time to time and makes several interesting curses but in time the small wagon train is making its way through the Sunrise Gate in the eastern wall of the city.

"We'll have road from 'ere to Strathe," explains Kenn to Brynwyrdd. "Won't be too difficult a journey on this part. Tomorrow though, when we're on the other side o'Strathe, things will get a bit more bumpy."

Now that the group is out in the open more, Nora roams out ahead of the train and all over stretching her legs and seeing what she can discover. Pjiana feels much better out in the open and free from the feeling of the city walls encircling her. Kara and Tethyana talk incessantly about anything and everything of consequence or no. If the weather weren't so cold and dreary it would make for a nice ride. But the wind is strong and bitter at times and despite the cold weather gear there always seems to be a gust or two that gets through and brings a chill with it.

In the middle of the afternoon, halway to Strathe and the groups stop for the night, the riders notice what appears to be a group of soldiers, fifteen or twenty escorting a carriage. The carriage and the knights are all stopped on the northern side of a small bridge that leads over the Shrike River. Several men are apparently looking at one of the horses that appears to have come up lame.

You are about fifty yards from the group at this point.

Kara asks Teth, "Who do you suppose that is? Since we're about to camp so close to them, I suppose one could go up an say hi."

Although still quite a distance from the soldiers, Pjiana carefully watches them, especially looking at the supposedly lame horse. While she may not know much about social protocols, she knows injured animals and wishes to make sure that this animal is truly injured and not part of some type of ruse.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23
Heal: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18 <-- to determine whether the horse is truly injured

Radek grunts and shrugs as he starts to build a fire. "I've yet to encounter a nobleman on the road who was friendly to anyone who wasn't in their own gilded carriage."

Perception: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (2) + 13 = 15 Just trying to notice anything weird about the group.

Mark just pulls his horse up short and lets his hands rest easily on his thighs, keeping a wary eye on the men. In his experience, anyone who could afford to buy a full set of armor was too wealthy to be trusted.

Yeah we should probably go up and say hello at least, he says to Kara. "But this stinks of some kind of trap, luckily traps are what I specialise in."

He approaches the men on horseback slowly, cautiously eyeing his quiver of arrows, just in case.

Pjiana is way too far away to make any type of identification as to whether the horse is actually lame or not. All that can be discerned from this distance is that one of the men is carefully looking at one of the animals back legs and feet. Another soldier is beginning to take the saddle and other gear off the horse.

As the group sits and converses, the soldiers finally notice you. One of the men apparently gives orders to three others who come riding out to meet you. As the soldiers draw closer they wave and offer a greeting. None of the men appear threatening but they all carry spears in hand and are also armed with longsword and dagger. They each have a shield as well.

"Greetings fellow travelers!"

The lead rider pulls up along the road in front of Kenn and Radek in the lead wagon.

"We are in need as one of our horses has gone lame. My master is requesting that we purchase one of your horses from you so that we may continue on unhindered. We will pay more than fair compensation for the mount."

Anyone?

Apologies, I just got back to my office from a pre-birth doctor's appointment for my girlfriend. First time checking the boards.

Mark doesn't even know what fair compensation for a horse would be, except that it would be likely more money than the young man had ever seen in one place in his life. He glances over at Kenn inquisitively. "What do we need more, gold or horseflesh?" he asks. "If we decide the gold's a fair trade, I'd be willing to trade away Silkie, she's been a good horse in the limited time I've known her." the young fighter taps his palm against the neck of his horse a few times, affectionately, and with a slightly wistful expression on his face.

Hope all went well with the appointment Mark.

"Horseflesh," responds Kenn quietly to Mark. "We ain't got any room fer riders and we can't eat gold if'n we have trouble in the mountains." Kenn eyes the men warily but waits for instructions from the others.

Mark nods quietly in acknowledgement and checks the others' reactions. He's not the type to be super outspoken about property that he doesn't consider to be his own; but if nobody else offers up any words, he'll step in and decline the man politely.

Also, all went well, we're just 8 days past due. Inducement date is this Thursday.

Pjiana walks walks over.
Perhaps we can help with the horse. My companions will have to decide whether we can spare one, but if we can get yours back and walking, then there will be no need to decide.

If she is allowed, she will move closer to the lame steed and see whether it can be helped.

Heal: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23

As Mark indicates that he's willing to sell, but is looking for backup, Kara bounces over, grinning brightly.

"Well of COURSE we'll be willing to help out a fellow traveler! Oh, of course we truly do need every mount we have, however it _maaay_ be possible to see our way to parting with one, did the buying party prove to be both in need and properly...motivated?

Oh, and of course we shan't be so rude as to do business like strangers haggling over black lotus in some Stygian den. My name is Kara, and may I ask your name, and that of your important employer?"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 22

As Pji moves to heal the lame horse, Kara eeeks a little and grabs her arm.

"Oh, honey, sweety, darling, we've not been invited! One does not start pawing at another's animals unless given leave, especially so noble a caravan as that. Of course I'm sure they'll leave their worthless, lame animal here for us to put out of its misery, since they've no further use for it once they purchase ours."

Kara seems to be squeezing Pji's arm somewhat oddly, in tone with her own inflections.

Bluff to pass secret message to Pji: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26

Kara smells profit to be had, and she knows exactly how much the horse is worth.
If the lame horse is worthless to them and they'll throw it in for Pi to heal, then all the better!

Pjiana grits her teeth when she is not allowed to go and aid the injured animal.

Hopefully I will be allowed to use the prior roll when Pjiana does get a chance to examine the animal.

Radek nods at Kenn and Mark. "If we sell a horse somebody in our group is walking. We can't spare one." He watches warily from the back of his own mount as Kara talks to the guard.

Didn't we buy horses for everybody? And then three of us are in wagons? Doesn't that mean we have 3 spare horses/ponies? And the Druid can probably CLW the lame horse anyway.

We bought 2 horses and Avery already had his pony. Everybody else is riding in the wagons. I figure Pji or Radek can cure the horse, though, yes.

The lead guard ignores Kara's question about who they are and their employer. He also finds her name to be meaningless as well as giving his.

"If you would look at the horse then follow me." He then turns his horse around and with a kick to its flanks gallops back to their train with the other soldiers.

Seeing that the group wishes to help, Kenn gives a flick of the reins and gets the wagons moving again. In a few minutes the group has covered the fifty yards to catch up with the others at the bridge. Before Pjiana can dismount and go over to check out the horse, a man exits the carriage and makes his way to the mount. He curses at the lead guard for wasting their time. He appears to have a chainmail shirt under a fine shirt. He is obviously a noble. Quickly taking a long knife from a sheath at his side he slices open the neck of the horse. The animal begins to gurgle and choke on its own blood as its heart for the moment continues to pump. It then falls to the ground dying.

"We have wasted enough time with this foolishness!" he chastises the lead guard again. "Let your men ride double and let us be gone!" Wiping his blade on the jerkin of the guard he sheaths it and heads back to his carriage.

Kara picks up a Galtan accent from the noble. She does not recognize the man.

Kara and Pjiana also catch a glimpse of a blonde-haired woman in the carriage with him as he enters. Once the door is shut they can make nothing else out as dark curtains cover the windows.

The soldier without a ride now looks to one of his companions where he swings up in the saddle behind him. The others make ready to head out as the carriage begins to move. They are headed south over the bridge and the Shrike River.

Pjiana quickly moves over to the horse when the man slits its throat.

Why harm an animal such as that.

Without even thinking, she draws her club, but holds off attacking. She then makes her way to the horse to see whether there is any chance of saving it.

I assume not, but as a druid, she is definitely going to try.

Mark has seen animals being slaughtered before, even horses, but he has never grown used to it or grown to like it. Mark doesn't even enjoy eating meat, actually. Killed because of a wealthy man's impatience to wait a few seconds. Goes to show how much he values the lives of others, the fighter thinks to himself, not bothering to mask his contempt for the man as he rides past.