Kelewen

Caverns & Critters

Beevil stepped out of the boat offering a hand to his over-packed younger brother and his sister. "Sure you packed enough Will? You want to bring your smithy to?" he asked resisting the urge to laugh at the size of Will's pack. Will harrumphed disdainfully, as he stepped down into the cave "Its called being prepared, better want not than have not." Beevil rolled his eyes as he helped his sister out of the boat and grabbed a lantern off Will's pack and lit it using his flint and steel. Unlike Will Beevil was using the bare essentials. He had his militia outfit, complete with short-sword and buckler, as well as a small military style pack with him. It contained iron rations, his flint, a torch, and a whetting stone. As well as of course a canteen of water. Beevil stepped forward leading the way with the lantern, eager to see just what lay inside this cave.

@Eklispe

Jane stepped in right behind her brother. She stuck close, not out of any kind of fear, but simply because he was holding the lantern and she wanted to see. "Think we should go this way, Beevil?" she asked, pointing to the left where the path was just slightly wet. "I'd rather keep my boots dry for at least a little while."

Wystan, who had ensured the boat was well secured, came up behind the siblings with a lantern of his own. "I'm thinkin' of headin' that way instead," he said, gesturing to the wetter tunnel. "Figurin' that the water mighta washed any more of them coins down that way. 'Less ya'll want to split into 2 groups to search both directions? Either way, I'm headin' this way..."

And without further ado, he started down the wetter tunnel to the right, uncaring that his boots were already getting damp.

Treasure & Treachery

The trio were well off the road when two horses came into view. A bearded man rode the lead horse and both horse and rider looked weary. The second horse was burdened with two riders, both women. Between the three of them, only the man was visibly armed, a long dirk hanging from his belt.

"I think we're coming out of the forest," the trio hidden could hear the man say as he turned in his saddle to look at the women.

"At last!" said one, perking up slightly. "I thought I'd never see it again!"

"I hope we're in time to warn the tavern keep about Laethros," said the other woman.

As the horses passed, Straw made no move to reveal himself, despite the non-threatening appearance of the riders.

Treasure & Treachery

"A girl after my own heart," Straw said, then added "'course, trouble is best avoided altogether, I think. Let's just get off the road and let 'em pass." He was already leading the pack horse off the road and into the young, thick growth.

Calvin raised an eyebrow, wondering what there was to be concerned about. Like Cyriana had mentioned, they weren't far away yet from civilization. But he exchanged a glance with the elf and shrugged. Not wanting to get on the bad side of his new employer so early on their journey, he followed suite and stepped off the road.

Caverns & Critters

I think it would be okay to post. Looks like Roman hasn't been online in a few days, but I think moving the party into the cave a little would be cool.

A Fantasy Adventurer Thing!

Hey! Some good RP can come out of cliched and hacky. ;) I'm game.

Caverns & Critters

As Beevil and Gerard started to explore the cave entrance and the immediate interior, they would notice that the floor slopes just slightly, so that to the right (downhill) the water is slightly deeper. To the left (uphill), it's still wet, but keeping one's boots dry might be an option. The ceiling is about 6 feet tall, so roomy enough for most of the party to stand up straight without hitting their head.

Treasure & Treachery

"Ah.." he nodded and continued carrying the heavy pack.

Calvin couldn't help but wonder why Straw would ask the obviously ill, or perhaps just injured, elf to accompany them. If anything, she seemed like she'd be better off resting somewhere than spending the next couple weeks hiking into wild territory and sleeping on the ground.

Maybe she's got some special information or... skill... or magic even! Calvin pondered this as they walked along, passing fields where shepherds guarded their flocks of sheep or herds of goats.

And on the other hand, how come she wants to go? If she already has a pack full of valuables, what's she hoping to gain? Unless she's trying to get away from something...

The terrain changed slowly from tended fields and pastures to a young forest and the road narrowed to a single wagon's width. From somewhere ahead, the trio could just make out the sound of men and horses approaching. It was difficult to tell exactly from the noise alone, but there were at least two, and probably not more than a half dozen.

Treasure & Treachery

"Guided by a map, at least," Straw replied, not sharing in her humor. "So no... not aimless trudgin'."

Calvin took the offered pack, sagging a little under its unexpected weight, but didn't complain as he wrestled it onto his back, now looking a bit awkward as he held his bow and his own, much smaller, bag in his hands.

"Room for some of that on ol' Apple here," Straw mentioned, giving the horse a pat on the shoulder. "Lemme throw that bag up 'ere." And before Calvin could unshoulder the heavy pack, Straw plucked the smaller bag from his hands and started securing it on the pack animal.

"Oh... ah... thanks," Calvin said.

"Best get started then," Straw said, giving Apple a little click of his tongue and started on the road to the north.

"Hey, you got rocks in here or what?" Calvin asked the elf as they started off.

Caverns & Critters

The next day...

"Here it is!" Wystan exclaimed as he brought the tightly packed ferry up close to the river bank, holding it steady so that they could step off the small craft. "Right over there... see it?" He pointed. "And right there's where I found them coins."

The opening looked to have collapsed inwards recently and a light, continuous stream of cool air poured from it.

The ferryman whistled as he tied the vessel to a sturdy tree near the bank. "Here, take these, will ya," he said to whoever happened to be standing nearby, handing them a rope and a lantern. "I'll grab the pick and shovel."

Jane didn't waste any time, but hurried over to the opening to poke her head instead. "Oh, it's cold in there!" she exclaimed as she looked left and right. "And still a bit wet too," she noted, seeing about an inch of river water still covering the floor as far as she could see... which wasn't very far.

Caverns & Critters

No worries. :)

I'm going to fast forward to the morning here shortly. But if anyone wants to clean up an lose ends in the tavern, feel free to do so.