Second Adventure 01: Through The Desert

After some consideration the group as a whole decides it is best to move on. Packing with a degree of rush, eager to get as much distance as they can before the winds really pick up, the group begins trudging eastwards across the desert some more.

Fortunately the weather is more kindly disposed today than yesterday and you make decent time. Snarg estimates you'll reach Kheynth by nightfall if you book it.

It is just passing noon when several people spot another small caravan approaching from the northeast. Curious, several members of the convoy flag everyone to a halt and go discuss the situation with them, curious about why someone would take such an odd path. It turns out they had to detour almost a mile northwards in the path in order to avoid a roving family of Armordillos which appear to have 'claimed' a decent chunk of the area as their own. The caravan advises your group to simply detour rather than face them, as there's quite a few in this given pack, at least 12 that they saw. Of course if you prefer to stay on course you will reach Kheynth by tonight, but you will have to go through the pack.

Hanuel spoke with a subdued voice to the gathered allies. "I'd rather keep moving as well. Lingering only invites trouble."

It was the first thing Hanuel had said to the group since being told the decision had been made not to take the southern bill, and they were markedly crestfallen, having spent most of the time since with their new hobby of carving.

A bunch or Armordillos on the road. That wasn't inviting.

"Let's take a detour. We don't want to take unnecessary risks."

"There has to be more of these beasts if they are controlling such a large part of the desert. At least 30, I'd say. And we have other people here, who are not warriors and who could fall easy pray for these critters. I'm not proud of this, but a detour would be well advised, I think. Even if I have to eat some sand along the way to pay for my cowardice.", Ashakel said while spitting in the sand.

"I guess it wouldn't do to jeopardize the caravan."

"I'll have agree with the hooded and troll persons. We decided to go ahead to have more time and avoid desert-related troubles, so might as well stick to the plan", the fairy tried to say in a more stoic way than usual, complete with a stoic pose, but one end of his scarf gets in his face as soon as he finishes his phrase, making his efforts a waste of time.

"Wanna leave a warning for whoever else comes by?"

"So we could take the direct route, almost certainly encountering the beasts, and forcing an unnecessary battle and deaths, delaying a 'potential' nightfall arrival and likely receiving several injuries in the ensuing battle. OR we take a detour, potentially arriving at the same time if we had battled, after nightfall, hopefully unscathed and still fresh. Worst case scenario we spend another night in the desert, but we still reach Kheynth able to help the residents. "

Spoiler:

"It's up to you, monk. But better make sure you put some magic into it, so that it doesn't get blown off by the winds and sand. Weave it, as the mages would say."

"Normally I am a live and let live, but if a detour is going to take longer than just confronting whatever lies ahead then let’s just confront it and be done with it. "

"meh, i'd rather not have to waste any more energy than i already have... this desert heat is terrible so battling while here is not ideal."

"more speed less haste is an old saying that i think fits here but Snarg what do you say are there's Beast's best to be avoided? or could we bypass them with out trouble?"

Tabran Cole wrote:"more speed less haste is an old saying that i think fits here but Snarg what do you say are there's Beast's best to be avoided? or could we bypass them with out trouble?"

Snarg thinks before giving his opinion that taking on an entire nest of Armordillos is quite dangerous, but the beasts won't approach if we take the long way around, which, he points out, is likely why this other caravan detoured over a mile north rather than risk it.

Araiguna wrights a banner to be hung on the ten foot pole that was constructed. it read in every language he knew off hand "CAUTION. Large pack of feral Armordillos ahead. there is a small detour to the north to avoid them"

Concentrating on his goal, Kolson begins clearing his mind.

When satisfied, he walks forward and plants his hand on the ground. Mentally calling forth the local elements of earth and air and binding it together with the darkness between matter, he begins constructing a pole from which to hang Araiguna's sign.

The sand around his hand begins slowly turning, taking the shape of his desire. As he raises his hand, so is the pole "pulled" out of the ground, stopping at a height appropriate for the sign and people seeing it.

It's an exhausting process, but Kolson is satisfied that it will last for at least a week, barring damage or sabotage.

"OK I say go around, you know there was a shopkeeper back home that sold armour made of there shells he had a show piece we he would let people come up and attack the armour and if that could put more than a scratch on it he gave then a 80% discount on his stall, no one ever got that discount"

That particular obstacle decided upon, the caravans part ways and yours and your party head north, following the other group's still-fresh trail for the remainder of the afternoon and evening. The winds have died down and you are fortunate to not have any encounters with wild beasts, Armordillos or otherwise, along the path. You start encountering the outskirts of the sands which slowly turn into soft, red soil. Soon you begin to see the edges of farms, and further beyond, the town of Kheynth itself. At this point the caravan you were traveling with bids you a fond farewell as they would like to make more travel time, feeling well in spirits with their good fortune.

Your party continues moving southeast as the caravan banks north, and it will only be an hour or so until you finally reach your destination. The sun has already set, and the moon is not yet in the sky, and so you have to navigate somewhat carefully through the farms with torch in hand.

Higaide, Zeiss, & Gwydo:

Spoiler:

Gwydo:

Spoiler:

"Even though i'm new here, i'm guessing those aren't birds."

"...Huh?"

There was something in the sky. Zeiss couldn't discern what it was.

"Hey... what's that up there? In the sky."

Speaking out loud, but to no one in particular, "Hmmmm. Airships heading northwest. I wonder where they're heading..."

Gwydo wrote:Speaking out loud, but to no one in particular, "Hmmmm. Airships heading northwest. I wonder where they're heading..."

"A what, now?" Rory asked. "And where are they departing from?"

"Airships... should have known."

The others were wondering about where they were coming from. And what was their destination.

Spoiler:

*Air...ships. Yeah, sounds about right.*

"are they on patrol or heading somewere and if so were? Snarg whats over that way?"

Zeiss wrote:"Airships... should have known."

The others were wondering about where they were coming from. And what was their destination.

Spoiler:

Even with what you know, all you can determine is they might be coming from Aluvian, Sho, or Naverre lands and they are probably heading towards Naverre lands.

Tabran Cole wrote:"are they on patrol or heading somewere and if so were? Snarg whats over that way?"

The ships are clearly following a straight course, and given their heading and speed it is unlikely they are on patrol.