Chapter 1: A Peaceable Kingdom

[Jeff]

The red-haired young man, Onin, who is conscious and has been talking with Oss (the halfling, like the wounded rider, has been unconscious all this time). He watched the exchange bewteen Grafth and Pellorien.

"If you please?" he says to Grafth. "If that...berry will heal, can you leave it with me? I can try to get her to eat it when you've left.". He indicates the halfling woman who lays beside him. "Your friend, the tall hurler of lightning...he wants me to stay and say nothing of you or how these men died. Is...is that right?"

[Darren]

admin said:

(the halfling, like the wounded rider, has been unconscious all this time)

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See, now....I went back and checked before I wrote what I did, and you never actually SAID that she was unconscious.....

EDIT: Ugh. Okay, I found where you mentioned that she wasn't yet conscious. In the initial description of them, you just said she had a broken arm, but didn't mention her lack of consciousness. I didn't go all the way through everything. I guess you can strike Kalarian's previous comments to the halfling, cause, y'know, he probably wouldn't talk to someone who was passed out....

[Darren]

darren said:

Before leaving, he turns to the halfling and speaks in her language, the coldness gone from his voice. "If the authorities question you, answer as you see fit. I am sorry we cannot be of more aid to you right now. If you are well enough to travel and wish to come with us, I would be happy for your companionship. If you would rather stay here and wait for help, I understand. Either way, I wish you well."

In light of the revelation that the halfling is unconscious, disregard the above and substitute the below:

Before leaving, he turns to the man who Pellorien helped. "If the authorities question you, answer as you see fit. I am sorry we cannot be of more help to you right now. Please see to the halfling and see that she is well taken care of." His gaze lingers on the small form for a moment, as though he is lost in a distant memory. Returning to the present, he pulls his eyes reluctantly from the halfling and returns them to the young man. "I'm sorry," he says again.

He then performs the rest of the actions from my previous post.

[Ed]

As he turns away, Oss realizes there is still a spark of life in Davin. He felt certain Kal would have snuffed it out entirely. Oss dashes to the bleeding man's side and attempts to stop the bleeding.

Once he has done what he can for the dying man, Oss glares hard at the Deneith man. "You're a murderous idiot, but you're not wrong. We need to be gone, NOW!"

Oss follows the dog's direction toward the farms.
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Heal check of 16 on Davin to stabilize before he hits -10.

[Josh]

Grafth hands the berry over to the man. "You would be wise to escape, find shelter... take her if you can." He watches as Oss attempts to stave off the aggressor's wounds in the distance.

"I'm not in the business of killing, but neither would I heal this filth- who knows if there are more." Leaning in toward Onin, he whispers, "We're after some answers- which will likely lead to more danger... best not to follow us. If you travel back toward Fairhaven, it's but a day..."

He trails off. To the closer members of this party, he says, "The gnome went towards that farmstead- it's likely our best source for shelter, recuperation... and answers."

[Ed]

"Filth or not, I won't want to watch someone who is shackled and helpless be murdered," Oss says as he begins moving away the direction the gnome went.

"If the dandy had killed him in a fair fight, I'd have said naught. This bickering is costing us time. Let's get out of here."

[Jeremy]

Is the man dead? If so, Goran says nothing, merely snorting in disgust. He stows his bow and straightens his jacket a bit and walks toward his victim.

Goran retrieves his arrow.

"The way I see it, we are no better off now than we boarded the damn Rail, unless you count wounds, pain, murder and utter confusion a boon. Now we may be hunted by the local authorities? Great. Add them to the list."

If, however, the man still lives, Goran will join Oss in trying to staunch the man's bleeding.

---

Jeff, is my arrow intact? Also, if Goran can help the bleeding fellow in any way, he will. Otherwise, he follows the others leaving the scene.

[Darren]

Kalarian turns at Oss' words. He notices the other party members trying to heal Davin.

"Are you all stupid? You're going to heal this man? And then what? Leave him for the Orien investigators to find? Let him identify us? If he is who he says that he is, then he's local militia, and we are ALL guilty of murdering them." He looks pointedly at Goran, whose arrow killed the first of them. "I doubt that they are who they say they are, which means they probably work for someone even more powerful than the militia, or at least someone who wouldn't think twice about killing us. And you want to heal him, and allow him to tell those people who we are? Or maybe you plan to take him with us? Is that your brilliant plan? Am I truly the only one amongst us who has any common sense? You think he was helpless? HELPLESS? That man spoke to me before he attacked me. He claimed he was part of the militia, that he wanted to help the wounded. He claimed that he was speaking to me from a distance so that he could avoid misunderstanding, so that we wouldn't attack him by accident. And when I agreed to let him help, when I told you all to lower your weapons, THEN he attacked. And if he were to have bested all of you, and it was me lying unconscious on the ground, what do you think he would have done? So it falls to me to solve your problems for you, to make the decisions that will save your lives. Because none of you has the intellegence to do it for yourselves."

Kalarian makes a gesture with his hands and utters a few arcane words. A pinpoint of light streaks from his hand and speeds towards Davin.

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Kalarian is casting Magic Missle at Davin in an attempt to finish him off.

[Jeff]

Oss stabilizes the dying man, using makeshift bandages to stem the worst of the blood flow. Soon Goran arrives to lend his help, but there is little more he can do. Davin will live a while longer, if he receives help before too long...

Then Kal sends a magic missile—not unlike the two fired from Davin's wand (which still lies on the ground, unclaimed with the rest of his gear)—into the air, which blasts unerringly into the man's chest. His body shakes from the impact, then lies perfectly still, dead.

The reddish-haired Onin, who tends to the halfling, flinches at the distant site.

Tangat whines, then tugs on Kal's cloak to prompt him to move away.
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If the party wishes now/soon to follow Grafth, will the other unconscious rider be left behind? What of the three horses?

[Paul]

Cutter looks at Goran and Oss. "Remind me to keep an eye on that one," he says indicating Kal. "I don't like psychos."

So saying, he unlocks the manacles and puts them back in his pack. He gets up and heads for one of the horses without a second look at the body.

[Darren]

Kalarian bends down and places a hand on Tangat's head, giving him a scratch behind the ears. "Easy, my friend. We'll be away soon."

He stands and watches the rest of the group, waiting for them to decide what they will do. "Leave the horses," Kal says to Cutter, though it does not sound so much like a command as a suggestion. "We do not want to have anything on us that can easily connect us to the deaths of these men."

[Lara]

Too stunned for words by Kal's actions and speech, Pellorien simply collects herself and heads off in the direction of the nearby farm.

[Josh]

Grafth looks at the group warily. He seems unnerved but grabs the sunrod, inspects it before placing it in his pack, then moves forward toward the farmstead.

"Let's go. Take or break anything that the ones who will undoubtedly find this mess might use against us later."

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Grafth is following the tracks that he detected earlier. If they deviate from the path leading to the structure ahead, he will make note of where the deviation occurs, but continue forward toward shelter and, hopefully, rest.

[Jeff]

Onin stares mutely into the distance, warily eyeing the winged form in the distance, which you aren't even sure anymore is headed your way or not. As you move away from the scene, you see him beginning to administer to the halfling the berry enchanted by Goran.

Your ragged party makes its way down the slope, past the tangled wreckage of the ill-fated steerage cart and the bodies of its passengers. All but your group of five men, one woman, one dog—and the two injured passengers behind you—lie dead. All told, about twenty people slain.

Countless thousands died in the Last War, but you've never personally seen such a sudden murder of innocents—until now. In this uncertain time, the aftermath of a century-long war, when the politicians of the nations turn to subterfuge and espionage in lieu of open battle, you know things like this aren't helping.

Grafth leads the way, having identified the trail of the gnome. He is certain the diminutive artificer was running hard away from the wreckage site, with no attempt made to try and conceal his passage. Grafth is quite sure the gnome knows no better; in his experience, most people pay little attention to the tell-tale marks they leave upon the land. Goran would concur. Having seen what Grafth has found, it's easy enough for him to see the trail as well. Tangat, Kal's wolflike dog, trots alongside his master but constantly sniffs at the ground as though confirming the shifter's skill.

A light rain begins to fall, prompting those with hoods to pull them up, but the gnome's trail remains easy enough to spot. The rain obscures entirely your view of the large bird of prey in the distance.

After a fifteen minute walk in solemn silence across the fields of thick wild grass, you approach the nearest farm.

A sturdy wooden fence that looks like it's been knocked down and rebuilt numerous times rings a wide swath of tilled land and fields of wheat. Grain is one of Aundair's major exports, so farms like this dot the countryside. The moisture in the air lends a purifying quality to your spirit. After the bloodshed, it feels cool on your skin. But now it makes you feel like a band of vagabonds.

A bundle of wheat has been bound near the fence shaped to resemble the Octogram, symbol of the Sovereign Host. Evenly spaced across the field of grain you can make out the shapes of makeshift scarecrows—each of them unusually oversized. Beyond the tall stalks of wheat you can see a house, a barn beyond that to the left, and what appears to be a stablehouse on the right.

Grafth sees that the gnome's trail leads directly into the mass of wheat beyond the fence wall, but he feels he can follow its course if he enters the field himself.

As the group stops for a moment, everyone hears the rustling sound of someone approaching through the tall wheat...

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Since the previous encounter is over, I will soon be posting in your private threads how many experience points you get for it.

Here is a sample image of the Aundairian countryside, although currently the greens of summer are beginning to turn to the colors of autumn. And here is an example of simple religious observance often found among the farms of Khorvaire.

[Jeremy]

Goran walks alongside Cutter, and whispers something to him*. Then he speeds up his pace a bit, moving to the front of the party, standing near Grafth. He motions to him that the party should stop here, and decide clearly on the next plan of action.

"Back at the rail car we all did what we wanted and made a mess of things. Let's try, this time, to have a concerted action. What do you think?"

---

* Jeff: I am sending Cutter a private message regarding what I whispered to him, which I will also send to you.

[Josh]

Grafth stops as well. He speaks low and quickly, looking not toward the group but in the direction of the rustling approach.

"Agreed. I have no wish to become further entrenched in this problem. I would like to stop briefly, clear my head, and prepare to resume my journey to Passage."

[Lara]

Pellorien nods tersely at Grafth's words, her eyes darting back and forth between Kalarian and the field whence the rustling sound emanates.

[Jeremy]

Goran speaks loud enough for all to hear, directing his comments at Grafth.

"Then let's clear our heads, as you say. First we should decide what we're to do with the two wounded passengers, and then how we're each to continue our journey. I don't know that the Rail is a good idea right now...for any of us.

Also, I'm interested to know who, precisely, those riders were and why they attacked us. My guess is that's not the last we'll see of their kind."

But for now...we should probably try and get some shelter while we're gathering ourselves. I'm still a bit of a mess and there are others worse than me."

[Jeff]

Goran's words are cut off at: "...I'm still a bit of a mess and there are others worse than—"

The rustling in the wheat beyond the fence yields a tall man, his body tense and a large scythe grasped in two hands. His well-muscled body is brownish gray, his hair course. Two small tusklike teeth protrude upward from his jaw. A half-orc.

While not uncommon, half-orcs are more common in the south—in Breland and its warmer, wetter environs. Most half-orcs can trace their heritage to the Shadow Marchers, where the majority of Khorvaire's orc population dwells. Though most orcs live in tribal societies, many half-orcs (those with mixed human and orc blood) have moved into large cities and adopted a more civilized lifestyle. The dragonmarked house of Tharashk, which bears the Mark of Finding, includes both human and half-orc members in its blood.

However, the tall half-orc who glowers before you wears the well-worn clothes of a simple farmer. The way he grips the scythe, however, suggests he knows how to turn it from a reaping tool into a weapon of war. Oss can't help but feel a semblance of pride at the sight. It was the commoners of Aundair who ultimately kept the kingdom alive during the war. The everyman's tenacity to defend the land of his father is as famous as Aundair's arcane reputation. Oss has seen Aundairian farmers adopt such defensive postures so many times before.

"Weapons down, intruders!" the half-orc demands. His accent confirms his origin as a Marcher, but the slight lilt to his words indicates he's lived in Aundair for quite some time. "And what 'others' are you referin' to?"

Almost as an afterthought, you see a human boy of perhaps eight years of age step out from the tall stalks of wheat to stand behind the half-orc.

"Stay back, Lerem," the half-orc warns the boy in his gruff voice.

[Jeremy]

Goran steps forward, his hands palm out, raised up in a show of peace.

"My weapons are sheathed and stowed, and we are lost, stumbling upon your farm by accident. For myself and I think I can speak for the others, that we had hoped for your hospitality, just for a short time. We can pay you a little, though we have little to spend.

Please, take what precautions you must, but we are not here to bring violence...we will do not wish to trespass, either, but we must find our way, and we're weary.

The others I refer to are two other wounded persons back up the hill a bit. They, like us, offer you no threat."

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DM's Edit: Jeremy, I took out Goran's mention of 'night.' It's actually not even mid afternoon yet. Just a bit rainy now.

[Jeff]

The half-orc walks up to the fence, where he is nearly eye to eye with Cutter. It seems natural for him to engage the largest person, despite the fact that Goran has initiated the conversation. "Keep talking. Why wounded? Was there a fight?"

"They can pay, Vars!" the boy behind him squeals.

The half-orc looks over his shoulder and grunts. "Safety first, Lerem. Always."

Then he turns back and holds out one meaty hand, extending it to Cutter or whoever else dares. "The name's Vars. I'll be honest with you. My employers could use the silver, if you got it. Mightin' be able to put you up for the day and night in the barn. Good and dry. But I'd have to check with the boss."

"But you won't be crossing this fence until you come clean with me. Good, honest folk with too many sorrows behind 'em own this land, and they don't deserve no bandits or swindlers messing here. So tell me exactly what happened, and who these wounded persons are. We ain't healers here. I wanna know what brings elf-bloods and shifters to this farm."

[Lara]

Pellorien responds to the half-orc's words with a start, as if coming out of a stupor.

"Did you not hear it? There was an explosion.... One moment I was on the rail headed to Passage to visit my aunt, and the next moment the whole world....The screams, the smoke, the blood -- it was awful..." Her voice drops off, and she looks down at the boy. "But maybe little ears shouldn't hear about such things."

She looks back over her shoulder toward the site of the wreck.

"It was truly awful," she says once more in a quiet voice.

[Paul]

"She speaks the truth. There was some kind of explosion. The lightning rail came off the tracks..." He gestures at the others. "We are the only survivors."

[Darren]

"Yes," Kalarian mumbles, "let's just tell everyone that we were at the site of the crash. Just brilliant..."

He moves himself physically further away from the group, but stays close enough to be able to observe what happens next.

[Ed]

"Brother," Oss says, stepping forward to face the half-orc and using his natural Aundarian farmer-drawl, "they have the right of it. The Rail exploded. I don't rightly have it all figured out yet but we could sure use the help, friend. You have my promise of no trouble if I have any say of it."

[Josh]

Grafth remains silent.

[Jeff]

"Shadow's* blood!" Vars says, eyes wide. "What....right...up there?" He gestures behind you. "I heard nothing. The rail line is far enough away.....and there are some you left behind, who are hurt?" He nods grimly at Oss. "I will help you, brother. We will shelter you, but I need to see first. To help if I can."

Vars turns back. "Lerem, get back to your gran'. Now! Tell her there was a rail accident, nothing more. And I'm going to help out."

The boy runs off.

The half-orc faces Oss again. "Can one of you take me there? We will go, see what we can do. I promise you, we'll come back here. The rest of you can...wait here? I know you've been through a rough bit just now. I want to help you, but it's just me, the boy, and his grandfolks here. I can't go sending strangers into them right now."

Cutter knows that half-orcs are nearly as stubborn as dwarves. They are not easily swayed.

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* The Shadow is one of the Dark Six, deities "exiled" from the Sovereign Host. He is believed to be the literal shadow of Aureon, the Sovereign lord of law and lore.

[Josh]

"We are all that remain of the living- a few others set off soon after the crash, to return to Fairhaven. The scene is... not a sight I would wish on anyone."

He takes a step forward, feigning a slight limp on his left leg. "I would gladly help do whatever is needed of me... after we rest, and tend to our wounded."

[Darren]

Kalarian moves a bit further away, then folds his arms and looks over at Oss. As Kalarian turns slightly away to look into the distance, Oss hears a whisper in his ear, as has happened before.

"I don't really care what you think of me. But know this. If those men back there were truly of the local militia, there is little doubt that this half-orc will recognize them. It's possible that they were local thieves, as well, in which case he may also recognize them and be grateful. Either way, bring him there if you want, but be prepared. For once, man, use your brain and think things through before you act."

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Kalarian is casting Message.

Also, if Oss leads the half-orc back to the wreckage, Kalarian will follow at a distance, hoping to not be noticed.

[Jeremy]

Goran shares a fatigued, but kind, smile at the farmer.

"Thank you, friend. Your hospitality is surprising and yet, maybe not so. I've heard good things of the people who work this land. We are all in a state, there's no doubt. It was a bloody business, and no good for anyone. As my friend here says -"

the half-elf gestures towards Grafth

"-it's not a pretty sight back there, and few answers to be found why it happened. Any help you might lend us will be much appreciated, and you can be sure we'll all be moving on as soon as possible."