CAMPAIGN: Queen Arkwyn's Crown (D&D5e)

Post by **Bob the Hamster** » Wed Feb 22, 2017 9:27 pm

Several guards who were loitering near the king's wagon-tent come jogging over to meet the man.

"What's this now?"

"I went to do morning sacraments, and I found him dead in his kitchen" gushes them man, clearly quite upset. "Oh, goddess! There was blood everywhere!"

"Show us quick!" says one guard, and he starts leading them back up the temple steps. One of the guard runs back towards the king's tent. "Tell the Duke!"

Newbie Newtype · Post by **Newbie Newtype** » Wed Feb 22, 2017 9:34 pm

Now it is certain he wouldn't be able to get involved even if he wanted. He decides to sit in the wagon while waiting.

Post by **Bob the Hamster** » Wed Feb 22, 2017 9:46 pm

DM wrote:Which wagon?

Newbie Newtype · Post by **Newbie Newtype** » Wed Feb 22, 2017 9:47 pm

The one he's been riding in the whole trip.

Post by **Bob the Hamster** » Wed Feb 22, 2017 10:10 pm

Hyne finds the carriage he had been riding in.

The coachwoman is out front brushing down the horses in preparation for hitching them up.

"Hello!" she calls cheerfully. "Good night?"

After about half an hour the sun is fully up, and many passengers are starting to return to their wagons. Most seem unaware of the murder, and are chatting about the festivities of the night before, or about the attack on the road of the previous day.

There is a lot of activity in front of the Temple, but Hyne doesn't have a good view of the steps. Seems like mostly guards over there.

Hyne can also see Erato's wagon. No horses are attached to it yet. After a while, Oxnar and a few other passengers arrive and drag a still-sleeping Erato out of it with a great deal of laughter.

Newbie Newtype · Post by **Newbie Newtype** » Sat Feb 25, 2017 12:11 pm

"Ah, yes. The inn was kind enough to lend a hand."

Hyne looks over to where Oxnar is playing a prank on Eroto. It is odd.. why isn't the Paladin involved with the investigation?

Post by **Bob the Hamster** » Mon Feb 27, 2017 4:12 pm

Erato thrashes about and curses, but eventually gets up and dusts himself off and heads away to fetch horses.

Oxnar waves at Hyne, but stays near his own wagon. He seems to be making sure his pack is in order.

Whatever investigation of the murder is happening seems to be staying localized to the temple. The passengers making their way to their carriages and wagons seem to be unaware of the death.

After a while Lady Goduvna and Jasputin approach. Jasputin is dragging luggage that looks bigger than what they had the previous day, and he spends some time trying to jam it into the storage area under the wagon.

"Helloooo, Hyne!" chirps Goduvna. "I'm having some Potion Of Cure Hangover, would you care for a dose?" she is holding what appears to be a flask and a shot-glass

Newbie Newtype · Post by **Newbie Newtype** » Mon Feb 27, 2017 4:52 pm

"As if I would need it, and even then I would just try one of the many recipes for a cure," he points out.

Post by **Bob the Hamster** » Mon Feb 27, 2017 5:49 pm

"Ho, ho, ho!" laughs Goduvna. "Somebody's grumpy this morning! Didn't have the best night, dear Hyne? You should have stuck around at the tavern! That nice bartender was watching you go like she was hungry!" Goduvna collapses into a fit of giggles at her own inappropriate remark, and pours herself a shot of her "Potion". It definitely smells like Gin.

After another 15 minutes, nearly all the passengers seem to be seated, and the coach drivers are all ready to go. The King's wagon is long, so it has to be moved back and forth a few times before it is out of its place in the town square and ready to roll.

A rider on horseback goes down the line of the wagons, speaking to each driver.

Hyne can overhear as he talks to their coachwoman.

"We'll be starting in a moment. There was a crime last night in the Temple, so the Duke is staying behind to investigate. We'll be picking up a new escort at the Garrison on the edge of town, so be prepared for a little delay there."

"Sounds fine, thank you." says the coachwoman.

Newbie Newtype · Post by **Newbie Newtype** » Tue Feb 28, 2017 9:05 pm

Hyne isn't sure how much of what the woman says is simply the bartender being charming for the sake of the job, or how much of it is projecting. He decides to pretend he didn't understand what she meant, "Hungry? At a tavern? The food reserves must've been bought out with all of the partying going on."

He listens in on the news about the crime. It seems like he won't be seeing his little spy friend for awhile, if the Duke decides to stay behind. Although... He looks to Eroto's cart to glimpse at whether the spy is being seated presently.

Post by **Bob the Hamster** » Tue Feb 28, 2017 9:13 pm

Goduvna giggles at Hyne's response "Oh, Hyne! You are too coy!"

The wagons start to move, and as the procession turns a corner, Hyne gets a good look at Erato's wagon. Jerrold is not visible in the wagon, and there is an empty seat in the middle row.

In contrast to the previous' day's ride, there is no drumming or trumpeting. The lack of this music makes the hoofclops and wheel-bounces of the carts stand out even more.

A few early-rising locals are waving from their porches, or watching from their windows.

The procession moves along the streets on its way out of town. As it reaches the outskirts, a low stone keep becomes visible between the trees.

Newbie Newtype · Post by **Newbie Newtype** » Tue Feb 28, 2017 9:25 pm

Hyne simply grins at the accusation, hiding his concern he feels right now knowing that 'Jarrod' isn't able to front the image that he had to put up. All he can do now is sit, as the wagons leave the town.

Post by **Bob the Hamster** » Tue Feb 28, 2017 10:38 pm

The wagons roll up to the keep, and the procession waits there. A handful of guards come out and stand around the King's wagon. They appear to be talking to the driver.

The delay drags on... and on...

"I wish they would get on with it!" Complains Goduvna. "I simply can't wait to see the sea!"

Finally the King's wagon begins to roll again. It is flanked by only four guards.

Newbie Newtype · Post by **Newbie Newtype** » Tue Feb 28, 2017 11:45 pm

The murder had naturally caused the procession to come screeching to a halt, but there isn't much that can be done about that.

Hyne remains patient. He looks to see if the little bird animal is still around, not having heard a chirp from it.

Post by **Bob the Hamster** » Wed Mar 01, 2017 1:53 am

Plucksley is sleeping in Guduvna's lap.

The procession moves out of the forest, as the road leads into a rocky area dominated by low scrub oak and brown prickly grasses.

The road starts to wind up a hill, a long leg of the mountains that tower to the south-east.

By looking back it is possible to get a good view of the shallow valley that holds the township, and behind it the dense forest behind it that they had traveled through the day before.

A rider is trying to catch up with the procession, leaving a trail of dust behind their horse.

Some birds are soaring over the distant mountain

As the procession approaches the crest of the hill, the faintest hint of the smell of sea air becomes noticeable.

It is a beautiful day.