A Keg for Dragon [IC]

[Antilles]

As Ssryn walks into view, the peddler stares at her as well, but more in a 'what the hell is that?' fashion rather than 'oh gods that is a big scary thing coming this way' fashion. A quick glance towards Lauren who seems entirely unconcerned by the appearance of the naga seems to reassure him. He quickly stops staring and apologies to her. "Sorry about staring, it's just that I haven't seen any of your kind before... In any case, I take it you're with them? If so, you have my thanks as well."

When Alexander enters the conversation, looking like a dashing hero from one of his many stories, the peddler appears suitably impressed.
"Good day to you too. My thanks for the very timely rescue. I know few facts about the Iron Legion, mostly rumors and tall tales. They are the largest orc tribe in the north, having conquered and absorbed most of the other tribes. Along with a few goblin and ogre.. allies or slaves, I'm not entirely certain which, they are in a state of near constant warfare with just about every one of their neighbors. It's said the only thing that's keeping them in the north is that the dwarves are using a significant portion of their resources to reinforce their northern border."

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Thomas resists Alexander's Impress with 1d20+2=11. Alexander gets a +4 circumstance bonus to his check for having saved his life, so his total is 27. Difference of 16, so he succeeds in increasing Peddler Thomas' disposition to +8, making him Intrigued.

[ArawnNox]

Lauren cups her chin with her hand and closes her eyes, pondering over the situation. Resources would be stretched by constantly having to defend against orcs. If the town is indeed undefended, then it would make an easy target and the region's dwarves might not be able to respond in time. She opens her eyes, "Where's th' nearest dwarven stronghold?" she asks.

[Antilles]

Peddler Thomas shrugs apologetically as he answers Lauren. "Somewhere across the mountains. That's all I know, I'm afraid. I've never ventured further than Northpoint."

[Fiendbasher]

The naga just watched the peddler talk to the others from a respectable distance away. When he addressed her, apologizing for staring, she just lifted a hand... waving in a circular motion with a twist of her wrist.

Staring certainly wasn't offensive to Ssryn... she could hardly help it herself, having lidless eyes; but surmising that it must be rude to the peddler, she turns her head slightly away from him. She is still obviously watching, but at least it doesn't look like she is boring into him with both eyes.

She "stands" in a patch of sunlight, her serpentine coils gathered beneath her as she listens to the group and occasionally glances around, her forked tongue flicking out to taste the wind.

[Catodon]

Vandarzryx speaks "We should make haste to the town. Once there I can fly on ahead. As a high speck in the sky I could still determine large troop movements on the lands below." Without waiting the drake leaps into the air and makes for the town

[Fiendbasher]

That's enough for Ssryn... she decides to show her solidarity with Vandarzryx's decision by striking out in the direction of the town as well. After experiencing the ambush, she decides it's time to give up on the small patches of sunlight for now and slips in among the trees, keeping the road on her right and looking out for threats to the party on the ground just as the drake can from the air.

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Unfortunately her hearing isn't her best sense and the wind must be blowing from behind her, because I errored a Notice check (well, rolled a 1 anyway). Though you may roll for me instead if it's more appropriate... let's just hope the view she got from the treetop was correct and there's nothing dangerous between us and there.  

[ludomastro]

Alexander checks once more with the merchant before following his companions.  "Sir, do you require anything else?"

Then he takes up a marching stride while humming softly to himself.  However, he keeps his head moving and allows his gaze to pass over the road multiple times per stanza.

[Catodon]

Vandarzryx turns lazy circles above the group, riding a thermal until he is about 240 above his agents and the dwarf. I should find out more about that dwarf , he muses. From this high he can see further (though at less detail) and he will be out of range of panicy archers when he flies over the town.

[ArawnNox]

Lauren shrugs as the group resumes the trek north, "Take care, ye hear?" she says to the merchant. She rests her halberd on her shoulder and resumes walking.

After a moment she says to Alexander. "Ye know, we're walkin' into a tough situation. I dinna think we can count on much support from th' Northern Empire. It'll be us and th' townsfolk against whatever the Iron Legion sends at us..."

This isn't the "yay a fight" sort of talk, either. Her demeanor shows that she's being very serious and is contemplating the chances of not making it out alive. The dwarf is very concerned.

[ludomastro]

Alexander runs his hand through his hair and fluffs it a bit.  He looks over at Lauren and grins.  "I hear what you are saying, my dear dwarf; however, I think you are underestimating our chances.  First, we have a dragon.  Second, we have a naga.  Third, we have a stout-hearted dwarf.  Fourth, we have me - an excellent singer and decent sword arm.  If I do say so myself.  Fifth, and most importantly, I am too pretty to die."  He grins that look that has caused so many young women to chase him.

I just wish I was half as sure I sound.  But, I really can't die yet.  Who would sing the song about me?

[Antilles]

The peddler shakes his head and answers "No, I'm good to continue now. Thanks again for saving me, and may the saints look over you as you help the village." He smiles and gives each of you a small bow, before picking up his pack and setting off towards the south.

The party sets off north, towards the village. Between the merchant's tale and Ssryn's scouting, you estimate you'll reach it mid-to-late afternoon. Vandarzryx takes to wing, flying in circles that grows larger as the drake climbs higher. When he finally levels out he has in impressive view of the area. It almost feels like he's flying over a green sea, with the mountains being rocky shores off in the distance. Unfortunately the thick forest means even an army could hide from the drake's gaze under the thick branches, but he keeps an eye on the road and it appears clear all the way to the village.

The village itself looks like any other he's seen, though thankfully it still appears peaceful. Looking closer the drake can see the village's defenses are indeed spectacularly poor, just as the peddler said. There doesn't appear to be any form of defensive wall, and beside what has been cleared for modest farmland the forest around has been poorly thinned out, allowing plenty cover almost to the outermost houses. There are people out and about, but Vandarzryx is  too high to see anything more than that.

Going wider, the drake can see the road strech towards the mountain range, the thick forest gradually giving way to a hilly, rocky landscape. There are no immediate signs of an rampaging orc army, but though the forest has thinned considerably, there are still areas thick enough to hide if not an army, then at least a warband or two. There are a couple of moments where he thinks he's spotted something, but subsequent passes over the area turns up nothing.

The village lies almost 1500 ft. to the side of the North Road, near a large brook that flows down from the mountains. It is afternoon and the shadows are beginning to lengthen as the party unmolested by further ambushes reaches the side road that turns away from the North Road and goes towards and through the village and rejoins the North Road at some point further north.

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No grand orc army... yet. Although Vandsrzryx's instincts is telling him there's something in the woods, though he can't tell exactly what.

Technically I could've moved straight on to you entering the village, but seeing as you're not exactly a standard adventuring party I though I might leave some space in case you all wanted to discuss/plan. In any case I'll start the village scene tomorrow, and yes it's a new scene.

Additionally, I'm thinking about refreshing action dice every other scene change. Thoughts?

[Catodon]

Having not seen an army but still feeling some unusual prey is about in the woods Vandarzryx piles on the speed to land on the road about a half mile from the town. Here he catches his breath until the party arrives. THey find him sitting on his haunches radiating dignity (or perhaps arrogance).
"No great army matches within a flight of here, though there may be scouts" he declares to his agents and the dwarf without any greeting or common politeness. "The town is poorly defended and the people are not preparing for defence. Alexander take the drawf, what is your name dwarf?, and inform the Mayor or local nobility of my coming. Myself and Ssryn will give you an hour head start before entering the town on the ground." With that he listens to the dwarf's name and begins his wait.

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I'm going to assume that for minor narrative purposes a roll to pile on a little extra speed is not nessisary.
Also though Vandarzryx appears pretty arrogant he is not doing it on purpose its just a mix of vanity and being a solitary preditor with no social instincts. Feel free to start teaching him how to be polite if you want.

[ArawnNox]

Lauren quirks an irritated eyebrow at Vandarzryx, "Forget already, did ye?" she stands firmly, feet spread and the butt of the halberd in the ground, "I'm Lauren Iceforge and I'm NOT yer bloody herald. Y'either show up with us or ye can wait long enough so we can keep the villagers from panicking when they see yeh."

Her irritation vented, she recomposes herself, "In case ye forgot, we're here to warn them and help prepare defenses."

She shoulders her weapon again and resumes marching for the village.

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Yeah, the group has been traveling together for a bit, so Vandar acting like Lauren is beneath his notice and as to ask (again) what her name is has rankled her dwarven pride.

[Fiendbasher]

The naga reappears out of the trees to meet the party on the road. She waits, watching the interaction impassively before speaking herself.

"I will sscout the perimeter, avoiding contact. If indeed there iz an attack on the way, thhere may be more scoutz watching the village clossely... if I ffind any, they will be quietly disspatched." Ssryn then drops her head down and quietly winds her way back into the brush off the road.

If indeed I have an hour before I should approach the locals, best to make good use of that time.

She glides along the ground like the lengthening shadows, only much faster, if any could have noticed. Once she draws near the village she begins to circle wide around it, and keeping her distance from any villagers that might be out and about... after all, farmers might appreciate snakes for keeping the fields and granaries short of vermin, but woodsmen were often less understanding, and talking snakes with arms might well make either kind of folk rather nervous. Ssryn makes a point of visiting the spots that seem to her to be best for observing the village unseen, as well as trying to suss out the weakest points to invade or attack.

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Sneak check: 1d20+9=12
Blend check (if more appropriate): 1d20+2=10 minimum 22 (Hand of Death)
Notice check: 1d20+5=15
Tactics check: 1d20+5=19

That should cover just about everything... only use what you think is applicable. =)

[Antilles]

As Lauren and Alexander gets close to the village, they can see that the defenses are indeed abysmal, though from the ground they can see the remains of what looks like it once was a wall. It looks like it's been stripped for materials and left to rot for, Lauren guesses, between 50 to 100 years. On their way in to the town center there is also a distinct lack of anyone dressed like they might belong in a militia, peacekeepers or any other form of official uniform.

They do pass townsfolk going to and fro, working on the thousand little tasks that need doing when preparing for winter. It looks to be mainly human-dominated, which is a little odd this close to the dwarven empire, though Lauren imagines that if things are as bad as the rumors say they probably need everyone back at their halls and holdings.

The pair draw attention, mostly curious looks, as they walk through the town (you imagine they can't have too many visitors this far north), though not as many as Alexander perhaps would like. They seem preoccupied, talking amongst themselves. From overhearing snippets of conversation as you pass, you gather it is about Vandarzryx flying over the village earlier, but the tone isn't quite what you'd expect. Instead of 'oh gods, what is that giant flying thing?' or 'Do you think it's going to attack?' it's more 'What does it mean?', like it's a puzzle they need to figure out. Alexander, ever adept at reading people's moods, can sense there is a pall hanging over the entire town, a feeling of concern mingled with curiosity, with an uncercurrent of worry that, while barely detectable right now, will only grow heavier over a matter of days.

As they reach the village square they can see a small fountain and an old, weathered signpost pointing out three places of potential interest to travelers. These are the Shattered Sword to the northwest of the village, clearly the village inn, Templeton's General Goods due north on the way out of the village and Ana's Apothecary, due east of the village square.

As you are standing in the square, contemplating your next move, when a noise from the Shattered Sword draws their attention. Two identical-looking men dressed in what can only be described as haphazard militia uniform storms out of the place, clearly in a huff. They quickly spot the group and makes their way over, calming down as they do. One of them nods and introduces himself, "Hello, I'm Samuel Wright. Welcome to Northpoint." The other guard smiles nervously and introduces himself only as "Elijah". They are clearly twins, and looks to be late twenties, barely passed thirty. Elijah suddenly blurts out "A-are you adventurers? Are you heroes?"

Vandarzryx waits patiently on the road outside the village, using the passage of the sun to measure about when an hour has passed.

Ssryn glides through the forest quietly, a predator seeking a prey. To both her disappointment and relief, she cannot find any goblin scouts, or indeed signs that there ever were any. There are the occasional animal track, but nothing that seems particularly out of place.

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Sense motive to detect village mood, DC 16:
Lauren 1d20+2=14
Alexander 1d20+7=25 (+1 for relevant interest)

Ssryn survival check, DC 14: 1d20+4=11

Don't forget, you can generally (like now) spend AD after the roll/description, as long as it happens before your next actions.