Blank Parchment, New Heroes - Adventures!

[Nefarion Xid]

Coldly, "I can track them. The elf may be long gone, but those two humans will leave deep tracks in the mud and they'll lead us straight to their hideout."

He breaks open his revolver a second time, like he's paranoid he missed a bullet. "I can track them...but it'll run you extra. I signed on to keep the caravan safe; I'm not slogging through the forest looking for bandits just for my health." he wags his gun at Taskon (fingers on the grip, a mostly non-threatening gesture).

[Thanatos 51-50]

"Leaving them unconcouis and unarmed in the forest would seem the height ofcurelty to me, and yet if we leave them blades to survive, they'll probably go back to banditing." 'Quill says as he stands over them, before turning back to the carvan master.
"Your carvan, your choice. I ask that if you want them executed, you not come to me to perform the deed. I worship Death. I am not a murderer."
With that, he sticks their blade-points into the dirt and goes to examine the other wizard...
"I admire your versatility with the Arcane Arts, my friend. My name is Equil -
Wait a second. I recognise you. Did you learn from the Crystal Tower?"

[frogman55]

"You don't want to chase them, Calenthir? Come on, it'll be fun. Besides, if we scare them enough they won't go back to banditing, blades or no."

[Shades of Gray]

"About as much fun as a few more arrows straight to your gut."

This is a serious statement. Aedrus doesn't do funny.

"I could scare them. Some people find me... very persuasive."

Aedrus notices his hand is still pulsating with dark energy, he releases the effect.

[Nefarion Xid]

"No, dashing through the forest in a downpour with the express intent of maiming or killing a few more two-copper highwaymen does not particularly sound like fun. Nor does it sound prudent. My prudence, however, has a price."

He glances down at himself and pats his chest and stomach. "...no arrows. Curious, that..."

[frogman55]

While waiting for Taskon to tell him what to do about the halfling, Jerik reaches up the black feather tied to his horn. His eyes close, and the feather suddenly gleams with a bright light. The light fades as quickly as it appears, and the deep slashes in his arm suddenly disappear.

Used 1 healing surge w/lay on hands (didn't have to rest) HP: 29/33, 10 healing surges left.

[Thanatos 51-50]

'Quill looks away from the framilar mage.
"Two-copper in the bad guy bank turns back to bite us with the interest." he explains solemnly.
"Worst case scenario, of course."

[Raz_Fox]

Taskon shakes his head. "Bah! All I care about is making sure these wagons and their provisions travel the remaining day to Slatetine safely. If you think you could keep this caravan safe by going and hunting down a few stray bandits, you are by all means welcome to. I, however, will be continuing down the road with the caravan and I need an increased guard. Go or stay as you will, but remember that your provisions are in Jerik's wagon. If you need chains and cuffs, I believe Pirl the blacksmith may have some in his wagon."

So saying, he blurs, vanishes, and reappears in the shadow of his wagon, which he leaps onto.

[Nefarion Xid]

"Hardly my concern who the "bad guys" are, is it? For the right price I'd be robbing caravans, not protecting them."

He gives his revolver and idle twirl with a finger under the trigger guard.

Calen's a big fellow; it's hard to tell he's an elf at first glance. He's far too broad in the shoulders and chest. And at the moment he wears a black bandana over the fop of his head, pulled down around the ears. He wouldn't be quite so tall, but those massive boots of his push him up to an easy 6'2".

No more pay? Fine then. He starts making his way back to the wagon.

[frogman55]

Jerik frowns slightly. "I doubt those three had many friends left. I'd guess they brought as strong a force as possible to watch the pass. What worries me more is whether or not they're really on their own. I've heard stories about the lords and such out here -- If a baron sent this one," Jerik shakes Ionroyl for effect, "we could be in for some real trouble."

[Shades of Gray]

"Maybe you don't have arrows in you because I posed a larger threat."

Aedrus says this with a slight smile.

Healing Surge

HP: 19/29

[Nefarion Xid]

"Yes well, I'd shoot at you too if I were blasted with dark magic."

Calen spins his gun, holsters it and carries on towards the wagon. He has nothing to prove and is more level headed than to waste words sparring with a Drow. The Gray Elves didn't greet the Drow with the same vitriol that their brethren might have...but they didn't necessarily like them any more.

[frogman55]

Jerik softly taps Ionroyl in the head a couple times. "Wakey wakey little man."

[Shades of Gray]

"Very well"

Aedrus heads over to the halfling.

[Manthus]

"I'll be in my wagon." Dorian drags his feet in the mud as he walks towards the caravan. His white robes are stained with blood and his hair is soaked from the rain. He immediately begins tending to his wounds.

[Raz_Fox]

Ienroyl moans. "Good gods, what did I drink last night? Slatetine ale?" Then he focuses on Jerik and Aerus and screams in terror, scrambling back up and away from the Tiefling. "I'm so sorry for this unfortunate misunderstanding it could have been peaceful if your thrice-damned drow hadn't fired please don't hurt meeeee!

[Thanatos 51-50]

'Quill frowns quietly before following Dorain.

"Hey, wait up!" he calls, jogging besides the older human and falling in stride with him as they approach the wagons.
"I try to take the oppertunity to exchange knowledge with any other mages I meet." he says breathily, as if to explain his actions.
"My name is Equilibrium, alumnus of the Crystal Tower."

[Nefarion Xid]

(Obligatory *nudge* for loot and XP)

[Raz_Fox]

OOC: Sorry about that. 100 xp each, but the bandits weren't carrying any gold on them, only a few copper pieces.
...Of course, Ienroyl hasn't been frisked completely yet.

[Shades of Gray]

"I've observed countless numbers of these situations. Observed. All of them end up like this. You're nothing but a petty thief. Tell me, is anyone employing you?"

[roll=Intimidate]1d20+12[/roll]

[frogman55]

"Don't worry, I won't hurt you. I may hang you upside down and naked from a tree, but I won't hurt you. Course, I can't speak for the elf. Never know with elves, shifty they are."

He grabs the halfling by the hair as Ionroyl backs away.

"So, tell me about the area. Does your boss have other people blocking different paths? Or was this all your idea?"

[Shades of Gray]

[roll0]

Roll messed up...

[Shades of Gray]

IntimidateAgain - (1d20+12)[15]

............. Yeah......

[frogman55]

Give yourself a +2 from my 'aid.' And your intimidate is a bit higher than mine. Which means 17.

"I don't have to tell you, little man, that cooperation is in your best interest?"

[Nefarion Xid]

Back at the wagons, Calenethir goes in search of his employer to discuss compensation - is he available?

[Raz_Fox]

"I-it was just me and my cousins and Wil's family for a while, until Varenis's boys hired us. We really were destitute paupers, even with the boys of Trollbane paying us. They only came over every couple of fortnights, and it was just bad luck that you fearsome but kind-hearted warriors came along while they were here. If you let them get away to tell their pa... well, heads will roll, trust me. They don't like being beaten."

He looks around at the devastation, and Wil's body lying nearby.

"D-do you mind if I come with you? I don't want to stay out here waiting for those ill-begotten whelps to finish me off - or their pa's snipers to do the job. Slatetine might be the safest place for me, now."

[frogman55]

"What exactly were they paying you? And tell me about Varenis."

[Raz_Fox]

"Bah. Those skinflints paid us fifteen gold pieces to be shared and an extra gold for me and Wil. In return, they took everything.

And you tell me you've never heard of *hem hem* Baron Varenis Jaegiir Trollbane, Liberator of the Western Pale! He fought in the Trollwar, and took over a buncha Elf tribes. He's supposed to be sharp, but I've heard that he coddles his twin brats and allows them to be scoundrels and blackguards outside of his dominion. He doesn't mess around a lot here in the south, but his snipers and bounty hunters are legendary."

[frogman55]

"A whole seventeen gold? Doesn't seem fair." Jerik squats so he is face to face with the halfling. "I don't trust you, little man. My good nature was prevailed upon, and I didn't finish searching you. But, if I find anything on you later, anything you don't claim to have now, it will go very, very hard on you."

"Was that elf who ran away one of Verenis' boys? Where did he go?"

[Raz_Fox]

"...Elf that ran away? As in one elf?"

Ienroyl's face pales, and he clutches at Jerik.

"You didn't kill one and let the other run, did you?!? Oh, merciful gods..."