The Church of Alvis

"Richard, Franklin did either of you get the orders when we pledged with the Baroness before we left? I don't recall her giving any papers to any of us at the loyalty ceremony."

Diplomacy: [dice]0[/dice]

OOC: Holding my response for a moment. Edit: I was going to say something but don't want to step on Furiel's question.

Franklin pats his chest. "Uh, dammit. This is not good for my first time leading a squad. First I go out the wrong gate, then I leave the papers in the cathedral. Oh lords. Look I know your squad's reputation, but if you guys please just let us correct these mistakes I swear by the eyes and ears of everyone here I will buy 2 nights rounds at the tavern. My first chance at promotion, I can't have it go badly."

Bluff
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The guards look at each other then holler back to the fishermen.

"Hey boys, please congratulate our new Beer Baron!"

They do some cheering.

Guard 1 leans into Franklin and whispers something.

They allow you to cross.

We do so, and after we get across and out of earshot/eyesight, Trinal says to Franklin "Well done, that was quick thinking. What did that guy say to you?"

We'll keep moving and avoid any other patrols if possible. We're going to beat feet, and put some distance between us and any pursuit. Once we meet up with our man in the field, we'll definitely keep moving.

Once we're out of sight of the bridge...to Franklin

"Nice job man. Tony Plush owes you a beer for that. You guys are all right, stick with us and we might make decent adventurers out of you yet!"

"Uh he just whispered that everyone screws up their first day and not to worry about it." Franklin says.

The party makes good time and a few more pee breaks finds a place to meet up with Stavis. I'll let you guys decide how you want to introduce the drow prince of comedy to the newbies.

"We're meeting a friend here. He's not welcome in many places, for reasons that will become obvious. But he's a friend and can be trusted."

Tony, can you let him know we're here?

Insight on what Franklin said was whispered to him...

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Tony will turn his back to the newbies to conceal the stone...
"We're here, approach when ready."

@Tony You believe he is telling the truth about the whisper. His verbal ticks and the pressure of the moment played on his anxiety you figured.

Stavis after having traveled a bit more to find a good place to setup the camp in a well hidden spot, will setup a simple camp with his tent and signs around the group would recognize.

As he waits he will mediate and keep watch of any scouting groups.

When he gets the communication from Tony will put his mask on but keep his hood down so the two can see his hair with fairy hue. "Hello everyone, and welcome new members to the group. I am Stavis" He will bow slight when he introduces himself.

"Uh, hello. Pleased to meet you." Franklin says staring at the hair.

Richard smiles a polite smile and bows. "Happy to meet a new ally."

"How likely is it, in your opinion, that we'll be pursued, and if so, how far is that pursuit likely to go?"

Trinal looks at the group. "I think it's best we keep moving."

"Well I would assume they would chase until either you are caught, deep enough into the mountains that it would be hard to find you without risking men, or if by luck they did find the bishop. Regardless the Phoenix Guard has probably been noted as an enemy of the Army of Blood." Richard says.

"Then let's get deeper into the mountains."

To Tony, Trinal says "We weren't able to get all the gemstones we needed, so I really hope we can find anything missing once we get there."

Blackferne wrote:"Well I would assume they would chase until either you are caught, deep enough into the mountains that it would be hard to find you without risking men, or if by luck they did find the bishop. Regardless the Phoenix Guard has probably been noted as an enemy of the Army of Blood." Richard says.

"You'll forgive us if we don't lose any sleep over that. In fact, Tony Plush is pretty sure we're going to make them a whole lot madder before this is all over."
Tony will flash a wicked grin as he finishes.

Then to Trinal
"Yeah, we got one and a couple essences at least. So that's some solid progress. And unless Brick would have been able to furnish the others we had squeezed all of the gems we were going to get out of Brackton anyway.

Hey Stavis, you still got my bag and all the stuff in it?"

Once we get moving again Tony is going to take some time talking to Franklin and Richard, get to know them, try to set them more at ease, ask them if they have any special skills, what they prefer doing and sprinkling a couple questions in to trying to pry a little into their motivations for coming with us and if they have any loyalty to fake god.

Syric wasn't just keeping quiet after the new additions, he was keeping a keen eye on them to make sure they were on the level.

insight
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[ooc] sorry, I was busy away from a computer all day

Tony talking to Franklin reveals that both are early 20s. Franklin's mother died during child birth and that his father passed about 5 years ago when a famine had struck. He has an older sister, but she married a travelling merchant a few years back and has been gone since. He likes to hunt and prefers a bow to the sword, but he currently doesn't have one because the guard squad he was assigned to was not an archery unit. He can track wild game decently, but didn't want to boast.

Richard was the youngest in a large family and ran away from home when he was 12. He lived on the streets and was a pick pocket until he got caught two years ago by the guard. The officer who caught him gave him a choice to join the guard or serve time in a prison mine. He chose the guard. He has no love for Brackton and sees this as a chance to split anyway. He prefers melee combat with a short blade, but again the guard is about standard issue long swords.

"Yes" Will pull out the bag of holding and hand it to Tony.

So as it stands you guys are currently 10 miles eats of brackton and about 2 miles south of the main road from Brackton to Silverdeep. what is your intention? Travelling the road would be faster, but you run the risk of patrols (brackton guards) as well as the occasional highwaymen. Travelling off road you will travel slower, due to tougher terrain, and run the risk of random encounters with "mountain creatures" which range from free range dwarves, goblins, and giants to wolves, goats, and bears.

[OOC would start off road until we are far enough away from Brackton to unlikely run into the town patrols as I would hate to help them know where we are heading and make it easier for them to focus on us.]

With the group together before we head out Stavis will perform Travelers Camouflage, if we are stopping for the night will perform before the group starts out.

Nature +2 Expert Ritualist
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[OOC Ritual Results.]

Stealth +2

Penalty to Find Tracks -2

Off-road. We're going cross-country; we'll have to take our chances with the wildlife.

To Tony and the new guys: "We have to get you a bow, and you a blade, then. Glad to have you with us ."

"If we are headed into the mountains I'm more concerned about a blanket and a fur coat." Richard says with a look of worry on his face.

Note: They have normal gear, but didn't pack for more than a day walk to search so they effectively have 1 long sword, cheap leather armor, a pocket knife, and a packed lunch. They do not have a bedroll or a heavier fur like you'd need higher up in the mountain.

Stavis will hand Richard his bedroll "My sleeping needs don't require a bedroll and my tent will be available when I am on watch."