(044) A Hinterlands Venture

[waysoftheearth]

heartless wrote:
"Me name be Rufus Brandystoe (the quick)!", as he introduces himself with a bow.

"Truth be known good men, I just escaped with my life from the sewers of Ket on a mission to check the vaults were still closed, in order to make some money to feed my starving body. We found the vault but it was open we were set upon by evil beasts and spiders the size of me. All my companions are dead and I alone have survived to tell the tail", says Rufus.

"I could eat a barn door! But how I wish for my cousin Wibert Hoggsberry stew instead. By the way do you know where he may be, his mum is worried about him?", says Rufus with a considered look on his face. [img]images/smiley/undecided.png[/img]

[waysoftheearth]

danhem wrote:
Ulric arches an eyebrow.

"Wibert you say? He was one of our company until recently. I'm sorry to say that your cousin met with a rather unfortunate end, as most seem to in this wretched land."

Ulric pauses for a moment and studies Rufus carefully then looks to Dieter and shrugs.

"Wibert was a rather capable fellow. You look to be the same. You say that you narrowly escaped from the vaults beneath Ket; I would like to hear more about that. Perhaps you could eat some food on the move? We have to catch up to our companions up the road. If you tell us more of these vaults we can cut you in on our current expedition."

[waysoftheearth]

coffee wrote:
"Were you followed on your way here?" Dieter asks the halfling, his eyes scanning the back trail.

[waysoftheearth]

heartless wrote:
Rufus's face dropped at the news of his dead cousin Wibert. [img]images/smiley/embarrassed.png[/img]

"Orrhhh man! Why would Wibert go get himself killed, now I'm on my own to set up a Tavern which serves great food like back home. He could cook very well you know, and I helped him out so I know a think or two or three about cooking too.

If you are Wibert's friends then you are my friends also, he didn't hang out with just anyone you know.

"I assure you I am alone and no one else escaped from the sewers but me. I know a thing or two about covering my tracks and I can tell you no one is behind me." , says Rufus firmly.

I am happy to tell you about my adventures. I say can I join you on your trip, I am useful with my tools, or should I say my weapons, and can hold my own in any battle. If you have food and the promise of some coin I can lead you my services, smiles Rufus and hold out his hand to shake.

[waysoftheearth]

eris wrote:
Up ahead, Olaf continues to scout and carry on a conversation with Joisane. He'll keep a good watch on the sides of the road and ahead.

If there is no contact with anything along the road by the time the sun is approaching its zenith, Olaf will look for a concealed spot along the road and wait for the rest of the party to catch up.

"Let's rest here for a bit and take our noon meal." he says to Joisane, "I'm interested to find out what Ulric and Dieter discovered about our tail."

[waysoftheearth]

doctorx wrote:

"Let's rest here for a bit and take our noon meal." he says to Joisane, "I'm interested to find out what Ulric and Dieter discovered about our tail."

"Indeed, yes," says Josiane, a worried frown crossing her face as she offers up a silent prayer, remembering her last experience of Dieter's idea of 'introducing himself...' ( [img]images/smiley/grin.png[/img])

She will assist Olaf in finding a suitable spot to await the others as well as she is able.

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
Ahead On The Road
(Olaf and Josiane)

When their shadows are smallest, and the spring sun is brightest in the sky, Olaf and Josiane crest a rise and spy upon the rolling planes ahead a cross roads by which there appears to be a lone, canvas pavilion. They are too far off to see it clearly, but Olaf reckons he sees a red and white motif on the pennant which flutters boldly in the mild breeze.

The pair estimate they would reach the crossroad with an hour's march. However, on the road halfway between them and the crossroads a party of some half-dozen Men approach. At least one of them appears to be armed.

What now?

[waysoftheearth]

eris wrote:

Ahead On The Road
(Olaf and Josiane)

When their shadows are smallest, and the spring sun is brightest in the sky, Olaf and Josiane crest a rise and spy upon the rolling planes ahead a cross roads by which there appears to be a lone, canvas pavilion. They are too far off to see it clearly, but Olaf reckons he sees a red and white motif on the pennant which flutters boldly in the mild breeze.

The pair estimate they would reach the crossroad with an hour's march. However, on the road halfway between them and the crossroads a party of some half-dozen Men approach. At least one of them appears to be armed.

What now?

"Well, there goes a quiet lunch." Olaf says to Josiane, "I suggest we parley with the approaching group and see if we can exchange information peaceably, however, I also think we need to be prepared for a fight if talk proves fruitless. We should all be together here when they arrive, or at least most of us, with the others waiting in ambush...just in case."

Olaf gazes at the approaching group for a second calculating distances in his head then says, "I'll stay here and keep an eye on that party and the cross roads beyond. Will you hurry back and tell the rest to hurry up here and why?"

[waysoftheearth]

doctorx wrote:
"Consider it done. Be safe, my friend."

Josiane runs back to inform the rest of the party of their discovery with all the haste she may...

[waysoftheearth]

danhem wrote:
Ulric takes Rufus' hand and shakes it firmly.

"Very well then. Food and coin will be yours provided you can provide some service to our company. I won't kid you, we've lost a good many friends in addition to Wibert. These are dangerous lands as I'm sure you know. Now let's be on our way."

Ulric hands Rufus some dried meat and hard tack from his pack then turns so set off down the road.

"We should set a quick pace, eh Dieter? Those lads are sure to be in some kind of trouble by now."