Upon the Desert Road (IC - Outside the City)

[Paladin]

A Perfect Spot for An Ambush, Early Afternoon

Whether from fear or inattention, no one seems to notice or comment upon the ghastly flying beast or the otherworldly rider which came and went so mysteriously amid the sandy gale. It is gone with the storm as the party digs themselves out, cleans their equipment and themselves as well as they're able, and prepares to set out.

The going is slow now, the road partially obscured by sand. New dunes force you to take short detours off the road and back on. You begin to wonder if you'll reach the point Kazak mentioned before it's too late. Perhaps, you hope, the merchants and bandits have also been handicapped by the weather. At one point, you notice a set of rather large three-toed tracks leaving the road and vanishing into the desert, but there is no sign of the beast which left them.

The road winds ever on, north by east, and as you press onward the sun climbs high in the sky. An hour passes, then two. Early afternoon approaches as you near the point on Kazak's hastily-drawn map where the most recent caravan was attacked.

All you see before you is sand. The road ahead, dunes pressing close on either side. They rise especially high here, tall enough for a man to crouch behind and remain concealed.

Gil - 36/39
Jasmine - 51/55
Corthalis - 10/10
Alec - 22/22
Shylock 23/23

[tarlyn]

Jasmine

Jasmine peers ahead, wondering.

Hopping down from her mount, she looks at the others. Scratching her head, brow crinkles.

"I offer scout ahead if you want. I done many times for tribe and on my own."

[Bluetongue]

Shylock Cravat

Looks at the sun and decides that we should shelter behind the big dune which would give most shade after midday and in the afternoon as the sun sets. So he treks whichever that side is as the barbarian scouts ahead.

[cybersavant]

Corthalis Aelvynwynne stays in the wagon, looking around for any sign of movement.

[Grognardsw]

Gil, cursed barbarian skald

"Did any of you spy
The winged rider in the sky?"

asks Gil as the party trods through sand after the storm.

When they encounter the three-toed tracks, Gil dismounts and investigates. The barbarian has some skill at tracking. He wonders if the prints are from a natural creature he has knowledge off. Track/Identify [1d100]=30

Later...

"This seems the spot
to meet merchant caravan
put action to our plan
and see bandit deaths wrought."

[tarlyn]

Jasmine

"Yes I see it as well... and its rider,,, wonder if rider is cursed Necromancer responsible for all this problems."


AS well, Jasmine will try a tracking knowledge for the tracks

Tracking check [1d100]=9

[Darklin2]

Alec

Keeps the horse moving at a steady pace following the road until Jasmine stops near the spot marked on the map.

Maybe we should send you three out and around htis ambush spot and I will spring the trpa just incase there are others there waiting to ambush us.

[Paladin]

A Perfect Spot for An Ambush, Early Afternoon

Shylock and Corthalis keep their own counsel, the halfling venturing around the large dunes. Somehow, the cruel sun finds it blistering path all around the towering dune, almost as if it purposefully dogs your steps.

The three-toed tracks are birdlike, but the size of human feet. You can't discern whether the creature which left them is very lightweight and left only shallow tracks...or if the storm tossed sand into them and muddled the trail.

As you spread out to examine your immediate surroundings, those closer to center of the clear area within the ring of dunes become aware of a faint hissing sound. It grows louder as the sand adjacent to the road sinks before your very eyes.

An area roughly eight feet square is revealed as the sand falls in. It yawns black and grim beneath the dunes, a cracked seal sliding down to reveal broad stone steps leading down into darkness. A stale, fetid scent wafts up to catch the gentle breeze and brings the bile to your throats.

Actions?

Gil - 36/39
Jasmine - 51/55
Corthalis - 10/10
Alec - 22/22
Shylock 23/23

[cybersavant]

Corthalis Aelvynwynne "Seems to be an invitation. Are we stupid enough to accept?"

[Darklin2]

Alec

What pit from Hell is this? This is not going to be a pleasant trip. He starts to gather all his belongings from the wagon. Torches, Weeks
worth of Rations, extra quiver of 20 sheaf arrows, 3 flasks of oil, 5 torches, fills his water skin in the barrel.

Anyone else want to fill their water skins before we trapes off into this living Hell? Anyone need torches? I have 15 left in the chest. Divide them up before we go in.

[Grognardsw]

Gil takes a swig of water before replying:

“Tis not better to complete
One job before setting feet
Into dangerous understreet?

Lest we add to the list Kazak,
To those would see us on the rack?

What say wait for caravan
Then lay our plan
To trick and slay bandit
Before descending into pit?”

To confirm, we are in the area where we’re suppose to meet Kazak’s caravan? So it’s a matter of time before they come?

[Bluetongue]

Shylock Cravat

"Let us hide and observe. The crypt is not going anywhere. Maybe the Vault opens not to allow us in but to let someone out. Could be the bandit lair and they are preparing to leave."

From the top of the dune he readies his bow, anticipating movement from below.

If nothing exits after a while he will follow the group consensus. No bandits leaving mean they are elsewhere so he would agree with Gil to assist the merchants first and explore any subterranean place later. (Take it over, make it our secret base?)

[cybersavant]

Corthalis Aelvynwynne looks around. "Aye, let's observe first. See what happens."

[Paladin]

Yes, this is the spot marked on your map. If the storm hasn't slowed, killed, or misdirected the caravan, they should be here at any moment. According to the information Kazak gave you.

[Grognardsw]

Gil scouts the general area to get a closer lay of the land. He waits with the others, hopeful Kazak's wagons will arrive.