4. Searching the Settlements

[tumblingdice]

Renardius figures that wearing plate armour he doesn't have much chance to catch up to Kalanos, and so pauses to investigate the ruins instead.

While you are welcome to investigate the ruins, remember that you're on horseback. Plate mail will not hinder your ability to pursue Kalanos.

[tumblingdice]

On the other hand, how many people does it really take to chase after a deranged boat captain? Renardius investigates the ruined lumber camp.

Renardius, you find the remains of goblins, humans, and one dwarf. The goblins appear to be from the Viper and the Redblade tribes. Some of the humans appear to be simple loggers and woodsmen. One, however, has a manacle tattoo and manacle mark on his wrist. You recognize him as one of the group who attacked you on the river.

Sadly, you also recognize the dwarf as your friend Bombar. While he died fighting, his weapon is missing. Whoever survived this raid took everything of value with them. You find no footprints, or any clear sign of where the attackers came from, or went.

**

Biz, Tret and Athelstan follow Kalanos into the woods. Hearing hoofbeats behind him, the boat captain stops, turns and fires an arrow. It whizzes past your heads, sinking into a tree behind you. "Back, I say," he yells, then turns tail and keeps running.

Biz, do you wish to cast a sleep spell? If so, then you'll need to bring your mount to a halt.

[badams30]

Athelstan - Fighter

Athelstan slows and says "This man is deranged, I say we leave him to cool down. Obviously, he can defend himself."

OOC: Athelstan prefers to keep moving rather than deal with Kalanos. When we catch him, he's going to want to kill us, and trying to catch him, he may kill one of us. Not worth the time and effort. He's fine...

[connivingsumo]

Biz, do you wish to cast a sleep spell? If so, then you'll need to bring your mount to a halt.

Yes. Bizenghast is interested in talking to the man. She hopes that a sleep spell will put him down gently, so we can tie him up and talk with him... ideally, anyway.

[kipper]

Renardius (Cleric)

Strange how they left an obvious trail at the previous location, but seemed to try to confuse their departure here, Renardius muses to himself. He gathers Bombur, the loggers, and the woodsmen together for a mass funeral while he awaits the return of the others.

[tumblingdice]

Biz, you slow your mount to a halt in order to cast your sleep spell. Even with all your skills and seductive charms, however, Kalanos keeps running. It's like he didn't even notice.

D'oh!

Gregor nods at Athelstan's assessment. "I'm afraid," he says, "Kalanos has taken leave of his senses. Poor fellah. We could try to subdue him, but the man was quite a brawler in his youth. He'd probably kill us first."

[greyarea]

Tret, rogue

Tret stop his pursuit and returns to the settlement.

[badams30]

Athelstan - Fighter

Athelstan will return to assist Renardius and the others with the deceased, then he'll mount up again, ready to move out.

[Spanningtree]

Soldath - Mage

Soldath stayed behind with Renardius to help with the bodies and take a look around.

[connivingsumo]

Biz: MU

Bizenghast, more determined than before, spurs her mount forward to "catch up" to the fleeing man. Her thoughts... we owe him that much. He brought us safely, by boat, to our destination (at the time), showed us a "boatman's kindness" and now he's 'insane' - we owe him to tell his story! All of these thoughts flash through her mind as she spurs her mount forward - willing to 'negotiate' with the insane man at the point of his axe if necessary.

She shouts back to her companions... "I'll be back - hopefully - think better of me if he is - indeed - our friend!"