That'd be fine, Shawe, thank you. I nod politely.

Indeed, Thothwick. We have... a lot to think about.

The heroes go to bed, and the next morning wake up early. They descend down the stairs and are greeted by Justin.

"Ah, good morning," he sniffles. "Your friends just headed out about an hour ago. I guess that man Mac found those mercenaries - he and that Shawe man left with a few others." Justin sniffs again. "Everyman checked out too. Said you had agreed to cover the cost of his room."

Would the heroes like to walk, talk, or do both?

We most certainly did not cover Everyman's room. In fact, hold him to that payment. With interest. If he ever comes back, hit him with the full load. He deserves it.

I turn to the other two heroes. We need to lay this out. Both the Hinckwells and Shadeux are telling the same story. Obviously there's something going on here.

Karie trods down the stairs, cranky and bitter. She had rims under her eyes which could be faintly seen through the makeup. Hershey followed her down like a duckling following it's mother.

  On 10/9/2013 at 2:22 AM, The Legonater said:

We most certainly did not cover Everyman's room. In fact, hold him to that payment. With interest. If he ever comes back, hit him with the full load. He deserves it.

I turn to the other two heroes. We need to lay this out. Both the Hinckwells and Shadeux are telling the same story. Obviously there's something going on here.

"Yeah, something is going on here, and it's between you two and me." Karie pointed at Thothwick and Dyric, looking them over with her glacial blue eyes.

"Just who the hell is this Everyman chap? You've obviously got some beef between him, both of you, so why? The two of you have been hiding something from me, and if I'm not in the loop, what good am I here? It has something to do with that explosives expert doesn't it?" It seemed as if Mt. Karie was about to erupt.

"Mreoow. <Suggestion to the two gentleman: her aim is better than yours, if you catch my drift.>" Hershey's tone seemed to have a hint of dry sarcasm sprinkled into it, however that was possible.

You know, it's a good thing I can't speak cat. Because it would be a shame if it were insulting me or something.

Everyman is a child, a kid begging for attention. He is irrelevant to this all, as he is irrelevant to everything else. You can do everyone a favour by not giving him the attention he desires.

We've met Shawe, the man Mr. Hinckwell was suspecting of stealing his supplies... and Shawe is claiming his supplies have been stolen. On the bright side, Shawe seems to consider us an ally. Which mean we have to figure out who's lying, who's telling the truth, and if there's any way to solve this puzzle while helping unite the families. Ideas?

Thothwick slept well. His room, cosy. His bed, whilst not as comfy as his own, served it's purpose well. Awaking first, but coming downstairs last, he hear the news of the departures with no surprise.

"Mr. Shawe is a busy man, and I'm surprised Everyman didn't capitulate to the outside world sooner."

  On 10/9/2013 at 2:38 AM, Kintobor said:

"Yeah, something is going on here, and it's between you two and me." Karie pointed at Thothwick and Dyric, looking them over with her glacial blue eyes.

"Just who the hell is this Everyman chap? You've obviously got some beef between him, both of you, so why? The two of you have been hiding something from me, and if I'm not in the loop, what good am I here? It has something to do with that explosives expert doesn't it?" It seemed as if Mt. Karie was about to erupt.

"Mr. Rone described him well, leaving out his cowardliness. And frugality, apparently. Bare with me one moment."

Thothwick walked over to the pale Inn owner, and paid the tab of 10 coins.

"1..2..3 useless man... 4-8 Hope he drops one of XX's bombs 9..10. Thank you for your hospitality. I hope our 'friend' left his room in a reasonable condition. I'd check your silverware, make sure he hasn't scarpered with any of it."

  On 10/9/2013 at 3:23 AM, The Legonater said:

We've met Shawe, the man Mr. Hinckwell was suspecting of stealing his supplies... and Shawe is claiming his supplies have been stolen. On the bright side, Shawe seems to consider us an ally. Which mean we have to figure out who's lying, who's telling the truth, and if there's any way to solve this puzzle while helping unite the families. Ideas?

"I never spent much time with Mr. Shawe, but he seemed trustworthy enough. It seems to me that the solution may prove neither side is lying. Mr. Hinckwell mentioned he'd previously hire a group of mercenaries, lead by a 'Mr. Bors'. If we catch up with Mr. Shawe, I wouldn't be too surprised to see he's hired the same people. The Hinckwells hired his men the very same night their caravan rescue mission failed. Quite the coincidence they were both in the area, no?"

Karie, irritated with Dyric, slams ten gold on the counter.

"Mreoow. <Such a shame you can't understand me...>"

"This Everyman fellow talking with Shawe, and he's obviously got a history with you two. Can we honestly trust Shawe?"

Edited October 9, 201311 yr by Kintobor

Everyman does a lot of talking. I wouldn't rule out Shawe just for having the ears to listen.

Are you suggesting that Bors might have run off with the supplies? An interesting theory. It's the best we've got, that's for sure. Either way, we have to catch up to Shawe to get anywhere. Shall we head out?

Justin happily scoops up the gold that the Heroicans leave on his counter and then shepherds them out the door. They once more set out towards Bric'Lin.

It is about mid-day that they hear some hushed voices off the side of the road. Dyric leads his compatriots past the fence a little, and they listen in while hiding behind a tree.

"...mb Hinckwell is probably still wondering where the Hel we are."

"But what if he comes after us, Bors!"

"He won't come after us. Lift your side of the chest, would you! These damn things are heavy."

"How can you be sure?"

"He probably thinks that the Shadeaux killed us off. Now come on, let's get to the road. Set up a trap for caravans. Who knows, either the Hinckwell or Shadeaux could be sending something else this way right now. Idiots."

What would the heroes like to do?

Karie put Hershey down to go investigate, put the cat simply sat down and looked up at Karie agitated. She whispers to the rest of the party.

"Well, what would you lot like to do? We could go in, swords drawn and cause a scene, or we could actually find out why Bors is intending rob caravans and most likely has the bombs! He's obviously got them! How else would he stop caravans dead besides blowing stuff up?"

I'd prefer to do this without bloodshed if possible. Our primary goal is retrieving the supplies, however. If need be, we can kill the goons and keep Bors alive to question.

As Thothwick crouched against the tree, he fought to suppress a smile.

"It does feel good being correct!"

"Keep your voices down! I agree, we must try and resolve this without bloodshed. We all have a fair bit of roguishness in us, perhaps we could sneak in and get the supplies? Or hide here and await a caravans arrival, and pose as bodyguards?"

Thothwick drank one of his meads.

"I don't suppose either of you fancy a little 'Charisian Courage'?"

Charisan...? You know what, nevermind.

It strikes me that if these boys are looking for a fight, they'll give us one anyways. I say we try to talk them down, but keep your weapons ready. Things can very rapidly go out of hand with people like Bors.

"Heh, so concealable's what you want? Alright, fair enough, I got you covered."

Karie clutched her hand into a fist, her tattoo begin to show, removing her white makeup. She readied herself for whatever was to come their way.

"Whenever you're ready."

You could always slip into that catsuit and distract them if you'd rather have a more direct approach. I snark, waiting on Thothwick.

"It's capable of performing the same task wrapped around my waist, thank you very much. For an Assassin of the Light, you sure like to indulge on naughty things, Mr. Rone."

Some gentleman he was turning out to be.

And for a rogue, you can't seem to take a joke, Ms. Alderflask. I roll my eyes at the child.

OoC: Party leader, just waiting for a bold statement from you.

  On 10/11/2013 at 5:06 AM, Zepher said:

OoC: Party leader, just waiting for a bold statement from you.

I was going to wait for Flitwick to respond, but I figure he'd agree.

Let's move out. Weapons up, let's hope giving them a scare may persuade them. Go that, Thothwick?

Still not bold.

The heroes round the tree, ready to be diplomatic.

"Hey! Look, Bors, its some travelers!"

"Let's kill them."

"Hold on there." Bors turns to the heroes. "Don't you know the woods are a dangerous place, especially for some young lads and a lady? I think that you should be on your way." He eyes their satchels and pockets hungrily.

OoC: If you two both agree with a decision, we'll call it majority rule and have your decision progress the Quest. Otherwise this Quest'll take three times longer than necessary, if we're constantly stop-starting for timezones.

Thothwick ignores the question, and chooses to reply with an intimidating question.

"What are four gentlemen such as yourself, doing out in the woods, with a large, heavy chest, at a time like this? People might think you're... up to something."

"We're just travelers," the Orc says unconvincingly, though its clear he doesn't care very much either way if the heroes believe him. "What are men and women like you doing wandering the woods?"

"It doesn't matter what they were doing. Tell them to go away, we've got things to do."

"Isn't it obvious? We're looking for some treasure rumoured to be buried out here. Surely you've heard of Violetta's hidden cache?"

Karie shudders at the big hairy things comment about straight out killing them. Hershey seemed to have slinked off somewhere. Seems as if the cat was more intelligent than she was.

I glower at the Pongcanis. I beheaded Vonnetate. I would gleefully do the same to this monster.

We are but three lost circus performers. Tell us, is there a Hinckwell station nearby?

Karie nudges Dyric in the ribs, cringing.

"Keep up with the story I've set. Idiot."

This had to be the worst assassin she'd ever met.