The crowd quieted as Ialari gave out her insight and offered her opinion on what was going on with the knight and his steed. Her hand blessed with Dira’s mark soothed the passing of the horse’s spirit in a way that the crowd probably wouldn’t be aware of. Death was no stranger to Dira’s children, and it was rare that one acknowledged something like a horse and its passing as equally important as a sentient person passing. Death was always a sharp knife slash across the lifeline of the living when it arrived, especially when it was unexpected. Seeing it first hand in Riverfall wasn’t unusual. Standing by and being unable to do nothing was. Ialari offered her services even as Vypec’s commander approached.
The Akalak was able to give his report to his commander and his restraint was notable against other curious onlookers who came closer and examined despite his presence. Vypec was honest in his assessment of the levels of danger involved and his forthrightness about the dire situation. Three of his squad members left, but one returned within fifteen chimes and had a fully loaded packhorse with him. Vypec would recognize one of the emergency supply packs the Kuvay’Nas kept up at the lodge. They were standard issue with a ten man tent, bedding, a basic camp kitchen setup, and food supplies. The horse also had rope on it and what appeared to be extra weapons… a bow and quiver of arrows, two swords, and a brace of daggers. Delric also patted what appeared to be an extensive first aid kit that had been hastily added to the burdened creature. The man grinned, handed over the lead rope to Vypec, and was gone again just that suddenly. Knowing the man like he did, Vypec could assume he might have even tucked up some extra goodies on the pack animal. It wouldn’t be something out of character for the man. Vypec was handed the lead rope before his fellow warrior vanished, making sure to go help secure the city.
When Kaie removed his helm, Ser Rodham or Douglas as people had known him, looked peaceful and serene. It was almost as if making it to the outskirts of Riverfall, he’d felt a sense of safety he hadn’t fleeing whatever had plagued him. Kaie searched on. If she looked closely at the empty dagger sheaths though, she’d find a tuft of paper sticking out of one. Closer examination would reveal it was a folded, refolded, and much refolded again map. It showed a route out of Riverfall and on south past where many people traveled and out onto a coastal location that was more Sea of Grass than Fringe Forest. It was miles from Riverfall, perhaps fifteen or twenty, as the map was marked irratically and hand drawn by someone who was no cartographer. But there were landmarks to follow and something someone with less than stellar navigation could easily use.
Between it and the blood trail that would obviously grow bigger the further away from Riverfall the party went, there should be no question of the group Vypec gathering being able to retrace Douglas’ steps.
As Amunet made her requests and then later initiated her Pathfinding, a thin trail of djed whipped away from the scene. It was weak and barely traceable, but there. Amunet might understand that it would not linger for her since she was yet a relatively untrained Pathfinder. But it was indeed there. It might be picked up sporadically in patches, but to her eye currently it wasn’t a solid trail. It would still work. What was more important was her expertise on the Grasslands and in surviving outside the city. Her words, however brokenly delivered, tried to convey that to the group. It would be up to them to listen. She might, being Drykas, even know of the creature who was Ser Rodham’s undoing when more clues were forthcoming.
Eosi’s question to the crowd drew a small discussion. One of the older Akalak males nodded and gestured south. “The Kabrin Road ends here of course… it goes just a bit south of the city to a staging/camping ground for caravans to form up and then it ends. That’s still in the shadow of Riverfall’s gate. To the south there’s no trail, no road, and even the Fringe Forest thins until the Grass runs right up to the cliffs and the world turns into hot desert sand. You have perhaps ten miles of forest south of here then grass, then grass as far as the eye can see. Desert starts a hundred miles south. There’s not much there but grass and Drykas and more grass.” The older Akalak said. “To the east are ruins, but they are off rivers and places that make sense. You’ll be hard pressed after twenty miles to even find regular streams south of here.” He continued. Others agreed, some calling out additional details, but nothing specific enough to assist the newly forming party.
With that, Vypec had his volunteers. Several stepped forward from the crowd as well. Two strapping warriors and another woman that looked like she was Chaktawe. They introduced themselves as Brahn, Valnar, and Teressa. Teressa worked at the boarding stables and offered to run to fetch them mounts for the trip – those that had none. If Vypec took the trio on, she’d hurry off to bring back horses.
Ooc: If the map is found and examined, I’ll provide a physical one for you to follow.
The Akalak was able to give his report to his commander and his restraint was notable against other curious onlookers who came closer and examined despite his presence. Vypec was honest in his assessment of the levels of danger involved and his forthrightness about the dire situation. Three of his squad members left, but one returned within fifteen chimes and had a fully loaded packhorse with him. Vypec would recognize one of the emergency supply packs the Kuvay’Nas kept up at the lodge. They were standard issue with a ten man tent, bedding, a basic camp kitchen setup, and food supplies. The horse also had rope on it and what appeared to be extra weapons… a bow and quiver of arrows, two swords, and a brace of daggers. Delric also patted what appeared to be an extensive first aid kit that had been hastily added to the burdened creature. The man grinned, handed over the lead rope to Vypec, and was gone again just that suddenly. Knowing the man like he did, Vypec could assume he might have even tucked up some extra goodies on the pack animal. It wouldn’t be something out of character for the man. Vypec was handed the lead rope before his fellow warrior vanished, making sure to go help secure the city.
When Kaie removed his helm, Ser Rodham or Douglas as people had known him, looked peaceful and serene. It was almost as if making it to the outskirts of Riverfall, he’d felt a sense of safety he hadn’t fleeing whatever had plagued him. Kaie searched on. If she looked closely at the empty dagger sheaths though, she’d find a tuft of paper sticking out of one. Closer examination would reveal it was a folded, refolded, and much refolded again map. It showed a route out of Riverfall and on south past where many people traveled and out onto a coastal location that was more Sea of Grass than Fringe Forest. It was miles from Riverfall, perhaps fifteen or twenty, as the map was marked irratically and hand drawn by someone who was no cartographer. But there were landmarks to follow and something someone with less than stellar navigation could easily use.
Between it and the blood trail that would obviously grow bigger the further away from Riverfall the party went, there should be no question of the group Vypec gathering being able to retrace Douglas’ steps.
As Amunet made her requests and then later initiated her Pathfinding, a thin trail of djed whipped away from the scene. It was weak and barely traceable, but there. Amunet might understand that it would not linger for her since she was yet a relatively untrained Pathfinder. But it was indeed there. It might be picked up sporadically in patches, but to her eye currently it wasn’t a solid trail. It would still work. What was more important was her expertise on the Grasslands and in surviving outside the city. Her words, however brokenly delivered, tried to convey that to the group. It would be up to them to listen. She might, being Drykas, even know of the creature who was Ser Rodham’s undoing when more clues were forthcoming.
Eosi’s question to the crowd drew a small discussion. One of the older Akalak males nodded and gestured south. “The Kabrin Road ends here of course… it goes just a bit south of the city to a staging/camping ground for caravans to form up and then it ends. That’s still in the shadow of Riverfall’s gate. To the south there’s no trail, no road, and even the Fringe Forest thins until the Grass runs right up to the cliffs and the world turns into hot desert sand. You have perhaps ten miles of forest south of here then grass, then grass as far as the eye can see. Desert starts a hundred miles south. There’s not much there but grass and Drykas and more grass.” The older Akalak said. “To the east are ruins, but they are off rivers and places that make sense. You’ll be hard pressed after twenty miles to even find regular streams south of here.” He continued. Others agreed, some calling out additional details, but nothing specific enough to assist the newly forming party.
With that, Vypec had his volunteers. Several stepped forward from the crowd as well. Two strapping warriors and another woman that looked like she was Chaktawe. They introduced themselves as Brahn, Valnar, and Teressa. Teressa worked at the boarding stables and offered to run to fetch them mounts for the trip – those that had none. If Vypec took the trio on, she’d hurry off to bring back horses.
Ooc: If the map is found and examined, I’ll provide a physical one for you to follow.