An Unchanging Reality (Take two)

[Man on Fire]

"Nothing comes to my mind. Lets go guys." Serph says. But there is something that bugs him. Like a voice in back of his head telling him he should notice something right in front of him. But he can't.

[stanleyindraven]

"I guess, let's ride," Dromet says.

[meemaas]

The party sets out of town on their horses, following the path towards the capitol. The ride for the day is uneventful at best, you pass a few junctions breaking off towards other towns, but continue on your path to the capitol. As the night comes, you find a nice and well designed camping spot, seemingly protected as if it were meant for travelers like you to camp at overnight.

Spoiler

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You can choose to camp in the apparent protected camping spot, or search for your own. Up to you.

[Man on Fire]

"We'll camp here, it looks liek a good spot." Serph says and starts making a camp. he take the books from his backpack and reads them for a moment.
"how do you fit in all of this? Why you were there? What's your connection to Gask and Vigorn?"

[stanleyindraven]

"I agree, looks good here," Dromet replies and attempts to tie off the horses.

[shugyosha]

Eophyn

She follows along with the others, dismounts and starts to collect wood for a fire.

[meemaas]

The party has no trouble setting up for the night, and soon after the fire is started and the meals are eaten, a couple finds their way to the campsite too. As they approach the party, the man steps forward and speaks. "Well met fellow travelers, do you mind if we join you at this campsite? The next one is a few hours down the line."

[stanleyindraven]

Dromet looks at the others with a serious grimace, then smiles and extends his hand. "Well met, please, take a seat."

[meemaas]

The man takes Dromet's hand and shakes it with a smile. "Thank you, my name is Jin, and this is my wife Cherry" He gestures to his wife, as the two of them sit side by side and look around at the three others. "Where did you three come here from?" The man lets his bag on the ground beside him, and begins to root through it, pulling out wrapped ration packages for himself and his wife so they could eat while talking.

[stanleyindraven]

Dromet will look in the direction they came from. (Is it the way we came or are going?) He will then look back at them. "Just a troubled city, we are seeking to help everyone in the kingdom. We are of course just on our way to the capitol." Dromet then pauses momentarily before a satisfied glance covers his face.

[meemaas]

"Ah, I wish you luck with your quest. At least the trip is mostly uneventful that way. We are going to the Shrine of Angara to pray for the healthy birth of my first child. How do you plan on helping the kingdom, if you don't mind me asking?"

Spoiler

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The couple came from the path you are heading towards, and therefore going the way you came from.

[stanleyindraven]

"Be safe in your travel. The journey should be much safer now as the bandits plaguing the area were dealt with by someone."

[meemaas]

"Is that so? I never heard of anything of the sort. I assume you had something to do with that?"

[stanleyindraven]

"No!" Dromet blurts out uncontrollably. "Sorry, but no. We only discovered it."

[meemaas]

He slides back a bit at Dromets outburst, and clears his throat before speaking again. "Well, either way, its a safe trip. Have you heard anything about the war between the other two kingdoms yet? It scares me knowing that we are that close to something like that."

[shugyosha]

Eophyn

The elven maid takes out her map and consults it while the others talk.

Spoiler

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Have we pasted the intersection where we turned to get to the town?
town --- us --- intersection or
town --- intersection --- us

[Man on Fire]

As alwyas, Serph stays quiet and lets the others do the talking. He just watches carefully the man and his wife.

Spoiler

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Just in case, (1d20+9)[28] Sense Motive on whatever the man is saying.

[shugyosha]

Eophyn

"I think we've been too occupied to pay much attention that. What have you heard?" the elf asks.

[meemaas]

"I don't blame you, a lot of people don't know how close we were to being invaded. After the assassination of the king of Gestorn, his son who took the throne almost immediately raised an army to attack the Reynald kingdom. They say that the speed in which he did it is far too unnatural." He bowed his head softly. "I got drafted into the army, but they let me go on leave with Cherry, while we're still in a state of peace. I really hope we don't go to war." The woman nudges her husband and he stops for a second. "Sorry about the sidetrack. Where was i...?" He stops for a second, and then clears his throat. "Our queen has lent her court wizard to the Reynald kingdom to help with their war effort. He's said to be the most powerful man in the world, so hopefully he'll be able to stop the war from reaching us."

[stanleyindraven]

"I am happy for you to be able to take the leave, however the current state of affairs is less than desirable."

[meemaas]

"Yes it is. Why can't we be at peace like we have been? There hasn't been a war for centuries." The man hangs his head and sighs.

Serph

Spoiler

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Highly delayed, very forgetful. The man is telling the truth, of this you are certain. Congratulations, you've found a random traveler not trying to kill you XD

[Man on Fire]

"As long as somebody wants something somebody else has, there will be a reson to wage a war. Some people are just crazy like that." Serph speaks for the first time in this conversation.

[shugyosha]

Eophyn

"So what do you do Jin, when you aren't drafted or escorting your wife to the shrine?"

[meemaas]

Looking at Serph, he sighs. "But there hasn't been any war between our kingdoms for centuries. Why now?" Perking up to Eophyn's question he smiles again. "I work my families farm. My family is ready to retire, and once our first is born, they were going to pass it on to me. Now it will wait until i am released from duty."

[stanleyindraven]

"The impending war may be stopped if we can make it to the capitol," Dromet says, trying to give the man some reassurance.

[meemaas]

"If thats the case, then godspeed for you, and we will pray for your success when we reach the Shrine."

[Man on Fire]

"You want a reason why people fight? Honor, glory, freedom, family, homeland, lovers, drugs, just because? Maybe we haven't advanced a step since the invention of fire? Maybe the world is just too letient toward idiots? Maybe the reason just doesn't matter and every trival thing will eventually lead to war? You could as well ask me why we were even born." Serph raises and turns away from the man. "I'm going to sleep, I'm tired. Wake me up for the last watch." He says to Dromet and Eophyn.

[shugyosha]

Eophyn

"Oh, don't mind Serph... that's... uh... his way of saying he likes you," the elf explains. "I'll take first watch," she announces.

[stanleyindraven]

"Ok, well wake me when I'm up," Dromet says before he lays down.

[meemaas]

The man nods at them. "If you'd like, I'll take a watch for you guys too. This is supposed to be safe, but i'd like to be a help, since you let us join you at your fire and all." His wife sets herself up for bed and lays down, while the man takes some time to practice a bit with his weapon.