Quill Dawnriser HP: 13/13 || FP: 14/14 || Move/Dodge: 11/11 || Conditions/Effects: Quill watched and watched. She watched the road, she watched the surroundings, and she watched the group. She made small talk when engaged; not being rude. But mostly, she took in everything trying to determine what sort of group she was with. What sort of people had Kelvan gathered, and what was she in store for. Her biggest concern, which she kept to herself, was about Sister Maria. Was she tough enough to be out here? Quill made a mental note to keep near her during fights. She didn’t want the Sister getting gutted before she found her “Forest Legs.” OOC: GM NOTE:

: The Broken Oak Inn, Burle, Viscounty of Salinmoor, Keoland : Moonday, Third of (festival week) Time: around 3:00pm Weather: Warming 79° and getting a bit stuffy Sunrise/set: just before 5am/ just after 6pm Characters Present: everyone The front door opens and a good-sized young man stands in the doorway. He is probably near his twentieth year. Though tall, he has to look up to Zurana a bit. This seems to catch him off guard and the easy smile that had been upon his face changes to something else. He stammers, "Um, uh, um, good day, strangers. I'm Milat Ranel," he says, making a slight bow. "What can I do for you?" OOC Character Status Drezghl HP 17/17|| FP 16/16|| Combat Move/Dodge 7/10 || Hinami HP 11/11 || FP 13/13 || Combat Move/Dodge 7/12 || Kelvan HP 9/9|| FP 12/12|| Combat Move/Dodge 6/10 || Maria HP 10/10|| FP 13/13 || PI 5/5 || Combat Move/Dodge 5/8 || Quill HP -/-|| FP -/-|| Combat Move/Dodge -/- || Zurana HP 20/20 || FP 15/15 || Combat Move/Dodge 8/12 ||

ST 17 | DX 13 (15) | IQ 10 | HT 15 | Will 11 | Per 14 | Speed 7 | Move 7 | Reaction: +4/+2 HP 20/20 | FP 8/15 | DR by Location | Defenses | Encum: Light | Languages: Zurana looked over the farmstead. She was no worker of the land, but she did notice the apparent lack of care for parts of the greater territory. She was curious about that, but it didn't concern her particularly. "It never hurts to ask," Zurana replied to Drezghl. With a brief glance toward Kelvan, she strode toward the front door to the house. Glancing about for a moment, she gave the door and firm but polite knock.

Drezghl Half-Orc Mercenary HP: 17/17|| FP: 16/16|| Conditions/Effects: "Well, there's the farm that the bartender told us about. The sinkhole must be close. I wonder if the owner will mind if we camp out on his land?" , Drez wondered aloud to nobody in particular.

: The Broken Oak Inn, Burle, Viscounty of Salinmoor, Keoland : Moonday, Third of (festival week) Time: around 3:00pm Weather: Warming 79° and getting a bit stuffy Sunrise/set: just before 5am/ just after 6pm Characters Present: everyone After another hour of walking, the group crests a small hill and see what must be the Ranel farm ahead. The place looks abandoned from a distance, though thin wisps of smoke can be seen exiting the chimney. The fences are in poor condition, they look as if they could not hold if faces with something stronger than a mild breeze. The fields are overgrown with grass and weeds, obviously untended for some time. Getting a bit closer, the farmhouse itself, the barn, and the immediate premises around them all appear in good order. On the far side of the house, the garden looks newly planted. A few cows, some chickens, and a few goats wander about the barnyard. The sound of horses can be heard from the stables. Carrot snorts and the couple of horses with the group neigh and whinny in response. It seems the Ranels have just given up farming most of the land and instead farm for personal use only. Whatever the case, an afternoon breeze brings just a hint of an evening chill followed by the more welcome smells of fresh bread and tasty dinner being prepared in the farmhouse. OOC Character Status Drezghl HP 17/17|| FP 16/16|| Combat Move/Dodge 7/10 || Hinami HP 11/11 || FP 13/13 || Combat Move/Dodge 7/12 || Kelvan HP 9/9|| FP 12/12|| Combat Move/Dodge 6/10 || Maria HP 10/10|| FP 13/13 || PI 5/5 || Combat Move/Dodge 5/8 || Quill HP -/-|| FP -/-|| Combat Move/Dodge -/- || Zurana HP 20/20 || FP 15/15 || Combat Move/Dodge 8/12 ||

So he's just competing for attention. Ok

<smile> It isn't so much 'shooting his shot' - as the (hopefully very friendly) competition. Like I said, young, impulsive and over confident... and Sister Maria's picture is attractive.

LOL. Drez is just trying to make her feel a little more welcome as part of the team. He was a little cold on the last job. If Hinami wants to shoot his shot then go for it.

Hinami Human Swordsman HP: 12/12|| FP: 11/12|| Conditions/Effects: Will -1 (Basic Speed, 7) Hinami has been walking along, just keeping up with the group. He is clearly watching around carefully, but glancing back up at the group. When he notices Drezghl talking with Sister Maria, a small smile crosses his face, and he moves himself onto the other side of Maria... and tries to insert himself in the conversation. Same as Drezghl, he keeps things light, but is also trading stories... OOC He's young, he's impulsive, he's overconfident, and he has NO game. He is trying, very hard, NOT to be offensive to Drezghl, but he is also trying very hard to be at least somewhat 'impressive'...

Drezghl Half-Orc Mercenary HP: 17/17|| FP: 16/16|| Conditions/Effects: Drezghl moved up and down the line of party members as they made their way towards the sink hole. He made a point to hike alongside of Maria as she rode. He talked with her for a while, sharing stories of his travels but keeping things light. She seemed nicer than most people he had met. All the while, he wondered is getting his own horse was worth the trouble. Probably not, he decided.

HP: 9/9 || FP: 12/12 || Conditions/Effects: Bless +1, Sense Observation (0), Create Servant (1) Kelvan nods to Quill. "Well, then, we will leave it to you to find us that alternate path on the way home." He makes to move on, then pauses. "Er, Good thinking." As far as mounts, I think we finally decided that since the sinkhole was on a farm that apparently still had folk occupying it, that they would be able to stable our horses and mule while we descended.

Quill Dawnriser HP: 13/13 || FP: 14/14 || Move/Dodge: 11/11 || Conditions/Effects: Quill didn’t appear concerned as she whispered back. ”I prefer not to kill. But, I could drop the leader before they got the demand out. I like the idea of scouting the area before we come back out. And, maybe we go home a different route.” OOC: GM NOTE:

Sister Maria HP: 10/10 || FP: 13/13 || PI: 5/5 Conditions/Effects: N/A Maria tried to make small talk with the other party members along the route, asking about their experiences and abilities, and generally just getting to know them. She tried to keep an eye out for potential threats, (paying specific attention to the area Kelvan seemed worried about). OOC: If there was some obvious logistical reason to leave Sunday behind Maria would have arraigned temporary stabling. Otherwise she was riding. Maria makes Perception (vs 18), Navigation [Land] (vs 17), Riding [Equines] (vs 11) and or Hiking (vs 11) checks as required.

HP: 9/9 || FP: 12/12 || Conditions/Effects: Bless +1, Sense Observation (0), Create Servant (1) Kelvan lowers his voice and leans in to the newest member of the team, the scout named Quill. "So, Red, you might at least make a note of this area. It might bear scouting ahead when we approach it after our subterranean exploration." He pauses. "Or if you wanted, you could slip back that way and see if there was something to see. My magicks definitely thought we were being observed." Kelvan keeps on walking.

: The Broken Oak Inn, Burle, Viscounty of Salinmoor, Keoland : Moonday, Third of (festival week) Time: just before 2:00pm Weather: Warming 79° and getting a bit stuffy Sunrise/set: just before 5am/ just after 6pm Characters Present: everyone Even with all the loud talk of bandits and ambushes, no one reveals themselves or makes any sound. Just the birds, the wind in the leaves, and the quietly flowing creek nearby can be heard. Drez and Zurana do their best to spot any watchers, but they just can't see anyone. OOC Character Status Drezghl HP 17/17|| FP 16/16|| Combat Move/Dodge 7/10 || Hinami HP 11/11 || FP 13/13 || Combat Move/Dodge 7/12 || Kelvan HP 9/9|| FP 12/12|| Combat Move/Dodge 6/10 || Maria HP 10/10|| FP 13/13 || PI 5/5 || Combat Move/Dodge 5/8 || Quill HP -/-|| FP -/-|| Combat Move/Dodge -/- || Zurana HP 20/20 || FP 15/15 || Combat Move/Dodge 8/12 ||

ST 17 | DX 13 (15) | IQ 10 | HT 15 | Will 11 | Per 14 | Speed 7 | Move 7 | Reaction: +4/+2 HP 20/20 | FP 8/15 | DR by Location | Defenses | Encum: Light | Languages Zurana tensed at Kelvan's loud commentary about ambush sites. She had been uncertain about the amount of noise and talk that the group had made during their plans at the inn. Even she had worried about being so overt about their intended treasure hunt, wondering if such babble would draw the attention of unsavory sorts - just as fresh cut meat could draw wolves or bears or carrion birds. The woman's hand slowly went to the long blade strapped across her back. Like her orcish companion, Zurana reflexively scanned the concealing foliage on their left and right. Unlike Drezghl, she was hardly subtle about her wary search, clearly looking for anyone foolish enough to lie in ambush against this band.

Drezghl Half-Orc Mercenary HP: 17/17|| FP: 16/16|| Conditions/Effects: "Yeah. Smart ones.", Drez agreed. He tried to check things out from his peripheral vision. OOCLook around a bit with his.peripheral vision so it doesn't look too obvious. Perception and observation rolls as needed from the GM

HP: 9/9 || FP: 12/12 || Conditions/Effects: Bless +1, Sense Observation (0), Create Servant (1) Kelvan pinches the bridge of his nose. Of course they'd set up on the way to the sinkhole. Let's see if we can get through here without any fuss. He raises his voice, and makes as if he is continuing a chat he'd been having all along. "Now, Drezghl, back in my banditing days, of course, a spot like this would be ideal to set up an ambush." The half-Orc looks around, concerned. Kelvan waves a hand, languidly. "Oh, no no no, dear boy. Only a fool would attack a group heading to the sinkhole. They'd be well-rested, and not worth attacking. Like us, they would have little treasure, just shovels and digging tools. The smart bandit would wait to catch us on the way back. Tired, possibly wounded, and loaded down with riches. That's what a smart bandit would do." Kelvan keeps on walking. Kelvan is trying a Fast Talk roll.

: The Broken Oak Inn, Burle, Viscounty of Salinmoor, Keoland : Moonday, Third of (festival week) Time: just before 2:00pm Weather: Warming 79° and getting a bit stuffy Sunrise/set: just before 5am/ just after 6pm Characters Present: everyone Having had enough talk for one morning, the group heads out, leaving Burle once more. The barkeep's directions are easy enough to follow and after nearly 2 hours of trekking, the group makes the turn beyond the hill, past the lake, down an old, rutted wagon trail. Almost immediately, Kelvan perks up, one eyebrow rising higher than the other. Discretely, he scans the nearby terrain. To the right of the trail, an overgrown field stretches about 20 yards to a shadow, rocky creek. Past that, a steep rocky incline rises about 20 or so yards to a tree- lined ridge. To the left of the trail, scattered trees, shrubs, and rocks cover the side of a sloping hill. There are any number of places that could provide ample cover anywhere between 3 and 15 yards from the road. OOC Character Status Drezghl HP 17/17|| FP 16/16|| Combat Move/Dodge 7/10 || Hinami HP 11/11 || FP 13/13 || Combat Move/Dodge 7/12 || Kelvan HP 9/9|| FP 12/12|| Combat Move/Dodge 6/10 || Maria HP 10/10|| FP 13/13 || PI 5/5 || Combat Move/Dodge 5/8 || Quill HP -/-|| FP -/-|| Combat Move/Dodge -/- || Zurana HP 20/20 || FP 15/15 || Combat Move/Dodge 8/12 ||

Hinami Human Swordsman HP: 12/12|| FP: 11/12|| Conditions/Effects: Will -1 (Basic Speed, 7) Hinami follows Kelvan, looking over his shoulder and motioning "come on" to the others. OOC

HP: 9/9 || FP: 12/12 || Conditions/Effects: Bless +1, Sense Observation (0), Create Servant (1) Kelvan gives the fellow a wide smile. "Wilmott, you say? Well met! I am called Kelvan, and in regards to the immediate plans of myself and my associates, well, sir, you have the right of it." And of course you want first pick of the rare or unusual. Well you can have it. After me, of course. He continues. "Identifier and purchaser? Well, that would be most convenient! We will keep our eyes out for such things with you in mind!" "Now, we really must be going. We're 'burning daylight!' as you surfacers say." Kelvan heads out the door.

: The Broken Oak Inn, Burle, Viscounty of Salinmoor, Keoland : Moonday, Third of (festival week) Time: just after 11:50am Weather: Warming 76° and getting a bit stuffy Sunrise/set: just before 5am/ just after 6pm Characters Present: everyone It's nearly noon by the time the group gets everything together and ready to go. Dhiir estimates no more than a two hour walk. He goes over his directions again, to make sure everyone knows how to get there just fine. As everyone is gathering in the road outside of the Broken Oak, a well dressed Suel man, someone who has been seen hanging out in the common room of the Inn recently, steps up and introduces himself with a formal bow. "Good morn, to you, my fine friends. My name is Wilmott, I hail from the more northern reaches of mighty Keoland. I apologize, but I have been unable to avoid overhearing your recent plans to delve into the sinkhole. Quite interesting, quite," he says, hmmm-ing to himself. "While I am not one to do such delvings, I am one that is occasionally interested in things found in such places. Of course gems and treasure are nice, but I am not interested in those things. I am interested in more, shall we say, interesting finds. If you come across anything that fits this bill, I would like to render my services as an identifier, consigner, or purchaser of such things." Getting some confused looks from some of the group, he speaks more plainly. "If you find anything interesting or unique, please bring it to me. I have been know to pay top coin for such things," he says with a smile. OOC Character Status Drezghl HP 17/17|| FP 16/16|| Combat Move/Dodge 7/10 || Hinami HP 11/11 || FP 13/13 || Combat Move/Dodge 7/12 || Kelvan HP 9/9|| FP 12/12|| Combat Move/Dodge 6/10 || Maria HP 10/10|| FP 13/13 || PI 5/5 || Combat Move/Dodge 5/8 || Quill HP -/-|| FP -/-|| Combat Move/Dodge -/- || Zurana HP 20/20 || FP 15/15 || Combat Move/Dodge 8/12 ||

Drezghl Half-Orc Mercenary HP: 17/17|| FP: 16/16|| Conditions/Effects: "No problem. Anything else?" Drezghl said taking the shovel from Quill. He walked over to Kelvan's beloved mule Carrot and fastened it to the pack saddle, along with a couple bundles of rope..

Sister Maria HP: 10/10 || FP: 13/13 || PI: 5/5 Conditions/Effects: N/A Maria had nothing specific she wanted to get, but was willing to chip in an equal share in terms of purchasing any excavation gear that was needed. As they talked logistics she reminded the group that Sunday was also able to carry some of their supplies with them to the Sinkhole. Sister Maria was ready to go. OOC: How much was spend on excavation gear?

Quill Dawnriser HP: 13/13 || FP: 14/14 || Move/Dodge: 11/11 || Conditions/Effects: Quill smiled. "Yes. That would be wonderful. I have a shovel, mallet and a crowbar. If you would carry the shovel?" She replied. OOC: I have loaded Quill's gear into characters. GM NOTE: