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[20:36] <~CelestialDoggie> The sun remains high in the sky, leaving the arid zone between grasslands and desert where you all stand a good deal warmer than the last month down "south" had you accustomed to experiencing. A short and respectful distance away, the handful of halflings who had shown you out this way remain with the mounts, observing your work quietly.
[20:37] <~CelestialDoggie> The nest of dinosaur eggs you have been investigating lies slightly less than half-full, with obvious depressions in the earth where a number of eggs used to be.
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[20:38] <Sophia> "There are no shell fragments, so they didn't hatch and wander off."
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[20:39] <Wylde_West> "Kirath's got a hunch, he said"
[20:39] * Rachelle_Carter sniffs around. "There are a lot of tracks around here."
[20:39] * Kirath_Bloodmantle points out the fairly obvious. "There are chisel marks by the base of some of these. This was a heist." He scratches his chin. "Too organized to be any regular banditry."
[20:40] <Rachelle_Carter> "So it's someone that's done this before?"
[20:40] <Sophia> The sun remains high in the sky, leaving the arid zone between grasslands and desert where you all stand a good deal warmer than the last month down "south" had you accustomed to experiencing. A short and respectful distance away, the handful of halflings who had shown you out this way remain with the mounts, observing your work quietly.
[20:40] <Sophia> [20:37:39] <~CelestialDoggie> The nest of dinosaur eggs you have been investigating lies slightly less than half-full, with obvious depressions in the earth where a number of eggs used to be.
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[20:41] <Sophia> "Not necessarily, Rachelle."
[20:41] <Sophia> "Honestly, my hypothesis is it was a rival tribe."
[20:42] <Kirath_Bloodmantle> "More like someone with the manpower to nab these at exactly the right time."   Kirath shakes his head. "The would have left tracks that these Halflings would have noticed."
[20:42] <Wylde_West> "Maybe. This was planned good."
[20:42] <Rachelle_Carter> "Oh! Do you know any spells that can track them? Like, um, divinations?"
[20:43] * Wylde_West shrugs! Elvaral starts checking for some animals that would be watching.
[20:43] <Kirath_Bloodmantle> "I'll go back to the village and ask if they've seen some bannermen."
[20:44] <Sophia> "I don't concern myself with futures that might be, so I don't concern myself with divination."
[20:44] <Sophia> "The reason I suspect this was another tribe is because eggs usually require a special care that only these halflings know how to give properly."
[20:45] <Sophia> "If it's not, they may have a local cavorting with them."
[20:46] <Wylde_West> *Elvaral finds a few circling birds,and tweets and chirps at them casually, getting responses in kind.
[20:47] <Sophia> "Though there are black markets where these eggs would be prized quite well."
[20:48] <Kirath_Bloodmantle> "I'd still recommend finding out if there were mercenaries in the area."
[20:49] <Wylde_West> "Good idea.could be about anyone doing this."
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[20:50] <Rachelle_Carter> "Hmmm..."
[20:50] <Rachelle_Carter> Rachelle thinks.
[20:51] <Rachelle_Carter> "Since they took eggs I think you're right that they have to have someone who knows how to care for them."
[20:51] <Rachelle_Carter> "Otherwise they'd take hatchlings instead."
[20:52] <Wylde_West> "So maybe an indpendent contractor, so to speak."
[20:52] <Rachelle_Carter> "It could even be someone from this tribe selling them to outsiders with instructions on how to care for them."
[20:53] <Wylde_West> "It'dbe good money, for sure."
[20:53] <Rachelle_Carter> Rachelle nodded.
[20:53] <Sophia> "It might not be terribly different from raising a chicken egg, though. I don't have much knowledge in this area."
[20:53] <Sophia> "Also, what use would these people have for our money?"
[20:53] <Rachelle_Carter> "If someone normally guards them, that'd be the place to start."
[20:54] <Sophia> "It's not like they're going to pop down to the shop with the gold and buy themselves a sunday suit."
[20:54] <Wylde_West> "Jewels, magic, weapons, anything they'd want."
[20:54] <Rachelle_Carter> "You see, Sophia, money can be exchanged for goods and services."
[20:54] <Wylde_West> "And it takesa skilled hand. Fellow in the Marshes got one."
[20:54] <Wylde_West> "It was...an ordeal, I heard."
[20:54] * Sophia rubs the bridge of her nose.
[20:55] <Sophia> "These feral halflings don't like to interact with outsiders."
[20:55] <Sophia> "Why would they come to settled towns to buy things, then?"
[20:55] <Wylde_West> "Find something they really want, they'll work with ya.l
[20:55] <Wylde_West> "Doesn't have to be coin."
[20:56] <Sophia> "Well then we should ask them if any of their people have done trade with some outsiders, recently."
[20:56] <Wylde_West> "Sounds like a plan."
[20:57] <Rachelle_Carter> "If someone was going to leave, they might be willing to risk selling the eggs to get, um, a nest egg."
[20:58] <Kirath_Bloodmantle> "A what now?"
[20:59] <Rachelle_Carter> "A nest egg. Um, money and stuff that's all saved up."
[21:00] <Wylde_West> "Basically life savin's."
[21:01] * Kirath_Bloodmantle shakes his head. "As it were, we do nothing for the situation by just sitting here. I heard from the guards that at least one of the halflings back at the village has seen men move around these parts, and I know two companies that come this far. Let's hear from the halflings first, then track those two down."
[21:01] <Rachelle_Carter> "Okay." Rachelle smiles.
[21:03] <Wylde_West> "Sounds like a plan.l
[21:03] <Sophia> "By your leave."
[21:05] * Kirath_Bloodmantle turns away from the nest, his cape fluttering in the hot, stale air. Scene Change?
[21:06] * Wylde_West follows. "Whaddya wanna wager those fellows are doin' it, Kirath."
[21:08] <~CelestialDoggie> You find yourselves back in the Lathon's tent the better part of an hour later, a mug with your drink of choice--up to and including aged whiskey--in your hands. Lathon Upham himself is considering you in silence before he speaks.
[21:08] <~CelestialDoggie> "You have ideas, then?" he prods, without preamble.
[21:08] <Sophia> "Kirath seems convinced it's a company of Mercenaries."
[21:09] <Kirath_Bloodmantle> "We do indeed Lathon.  The marks of an organized team were apparent.  Have there been any contact with mercernary companies, or free-men in the area?"
[21:09] * Kirath_Bloodmantle shoots a look at Sophia.
[21:09] * Rachelle_Carter is drinking tea.
[21:09] * Wylde_West lets kirath take the lead here. He's freelance, not one to do pmc groups.
[21:12] <~CelestialDoggie> The chief raises an eyebrow at Sophia before speaking. "No meetings, as I'm aware, that have been voluntary. Elesh informed me that you might wish to speak with his cousin, though?"
[21:13] <Wylde_West> "Yep."
[21:14] <Kirath_Bloodmantle> "That is correct."
[21:15] <~CelestialDoggie> The lathon nods at the entrance to his tent, and one of the omnipresent guards ducks out. "He will bring her here momentarily. What leads you to believe this is mercenary involvement?"
[21:15] * Wylde_West gestures to Kirath. "Big guy here
[21:16] * Wylde_West gestures to Kirath. "Big guy here and the others found the place way too clean."
[21:16] <~CelestialDoggie> All seven eyes (one halfling wears a badass eyepatch) turn to Kirath.
[21:16] <Kirath_Bloodmantle> "The idea that this was done without you noticing is absurd to think of in terms of mere banditry.   A bandit might have nabbed one or two, but this was planned out.  I know of at least two companies that might have involvement."
[21:17] * Kirath_Bloodmantle continues. "Also, in turn, being the factionless party, they would also be the ideal candidates to sell to."
[21:18] <~CelestialDoggie> "Based on?" he presses. "Understand, men like you pose a danger to my people, and I will not presume to anger groups of well-armed individuals when it could cost my tribe their lives."
[21:18] <Sophia> "The eggs sell for a  lot of our money in illegal markets."
[21:19] <Sophia> "Though the reason we suspect Elesh's cousin is because few people outside of your tribe and other like it know how to care for these eggs."
[21:19] * Kirath_Bloodmantle nods. "Also, that is why we are involved. While you may know that we are involved, I doubt they do. Even if we misstep, what harm would come to your tribe?"
[21:20] <Wylde_West> "Their rarity goes for a great deal. Any group would pay a cief's ransom for one or two."
[21:20] <Wylde_West> *chief
[21:25] <~CelestialDoggie> Lathon Upham considers you all carefully, clearly weighing your words. Before he can speak, though, the guard returns, with a younger halfling girl in tow. "Elesh is here, Lathon," he says, once again taking his position at the entrance.
[21:26] * Wylde_West uses his western charm.
[21:27] <Kirath_Bloodmantle> "I assume she doesn't know common?  We need to ask her if she has seen other men in the area."
[21:29] <~CelestialDoggie> The girl steps forward uncertainly, looking at her chief and each of you in turn. Her gaze snaps to Kirath as he speaks. "N-no, I speak it...and I saw some, a few days ago, but they rode away, and...am I in trouble?"
[21:30] <Wylde_West> "Not at all, darlin'. But you might be able tohelp with the egg rustlers."
[21:30] * Kirath_Bloodmantle smiles, and takes a step forward, before kneeling for the girl. "No. You are not. Did you see them good enough to describe them?"
[21:33] <~CelestialDoggie> "O-only sorta," she says, shying away from Kirath slightly; even bent down on one knee he's still a handful of inches taller than she.  "They were on horses, and the sun was behind them, but I'm pretty sure they were wearing gray."
[21:34] * Wylde_West pulls his hat off, scratching his curly hair.
[21:34] <Sophia> "Could be the second group disguised as the other to try and fool people and eliminate some competition?"
[21:34] <Wylde_West> "Thinkin' too hard on it, Soph."
[21:35] <Wylde_West> "Logic's Razor.l
[21:35] * Kirath_Bloodmantle leans back and thinks on it for a second. "It sounds more like the Guantlets..." He smiles again and nods to the girl. "Anything else? Did they wear funny looking hats?"
[21:36] * Sophia shrugs "You mean Occam's Razor? Also, it's what I would do."
[21:37] <~CelestialDoggie> She shakes her head. "I don't know...they might have, but I didn't want to stare in the sun for too much longer. Mother told me that makes you blind."
[21:37] * Kirath_Bloodmantle chuckles. "Your mother is a wise woman. Thank you."
[21:38] * Kirath_Bloodmantle stands again and brushes his knee off. "While vague, I have a hunch of who we might be looking for. Let's hope I'm right and we can settle this."
[21:41] <~CelestialDoggie> The Lothan nods and waves a hand, and she all but skitters out of the tent.
[21:41] <Wylde_West> "You thinking confront directly?"
[21:41] <Rachelle_Carter> "Maybe they'll give the eggs back and we can avoid a fight."
[21:42] * Wylde_West looks over. "Unlikely, darlin'. But best to try, least."
[21:42] <Kirath_Bloodmantle> "We'll find them, and see where they've stashed the eggs."
[21:43] * Wylde_West gets close, muttering. "I wanna scout their camp first when we find it. Better safe than sorry."
[21:46] * Kirath_Bloodmantle nods to the rest. "We'll They were heading west it seems. Lathon, do you have any idea of camping spots that way?"
[21:47] <~CelestialDoggie> "There are many," he says. "Though most are not big enough to support a larger number of people than you and your associates."
[21:48] <Kirath_Bloodmantle> "What about ones big enough to support a team and wagon?"
[21:48] * Wylde_West looks over. "We're looking for a campsite, then. Sunset'll give us a campfire, at least."
[21:52] <~CelestialDoggie> To Kirath, he says, "Those are fewer and farther between. I can give you directions to the few between here and Gatherhold."
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[21:52] <Wylde_West> "Much appreciated. We're gonna be hittin' em all.l
[21:53] <Kirath_Bloodmantle> "We'd appreciate it."
[21:53] <Kirath_Bloodmantle> "One last thing, upon retreival, what would you like done with the eggs?"
[21:54] <~CelestialDoggie> "Returning them to us would be ideal."
[21:55] * Wylde_West nods.
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[23:05] <~CelestialDoggie> After some brief discussion, the Lathon provides you with a rough map, inked onto a piece of hide, that shows the most likely spots between your present location and Gatherhold, as promised. There are four of them, spaced relatively evenly over the hundred or so miles between you and the city.
[23:05] <~CelestialDoggie> The closest one, Revalius informs you, is only about fifteen miles away, if the map is to scale at all. And even if not, he's confident that, between the landmarks and Spectre's sight, he can lead you there easily.
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[23:07] <Kirath_Bloodmantle> "Lead on my friend."
[23:07] <~CelestialDoggie> Departing the hospitality of the halflings, they allow you to keep the mounts you'd brought from the settlement, making your going that much faster. Indeed, it takes only a couple of hours to find the first location, easily found by the ranger, while the sun begins to sink behind your backs.
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[23:20] <~CelestialDoggie> You set about searching the place, leavning no loose stone unturned. Wylde, pying up a larger stone than most, finds something incriminating: a riding spur, still shiny with polish but scratched from where it had apparently been violently removed.
[23:20] * Rachelle_Carter picks up a rock. "Ah! This rock! Look! It's gneiss!"
[23:20] * Wylde_West holds it up, showing it to Rev, who gestures to a direction. Spectretakes flight!
[23:20] * Kirath_Bloodmantle shakes his head. "Not this place then."
[23:21] <Rachelle_Carter> "It's a really nice gneiss."
[23:21] <Wylde_West> "A spur."
[23:21] <Wylde_West> "Looks like meant for horses."
[23:22] <Kirath_Bloodmantle> "On the right track then.  Can you find the trail?"
[23:23] <Wylde_West> Rev nods, spectre circling above as they make haste!
[23:24] <Wylde_West> Elvaral, working with Spectre, turns into an indigenous bird, taking flight and fanning out with Spectre
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[23:33] <~CelestialDoggie> Revalius picks up the trail like a hunting dog, and the lot of you set off once again. The sun continues to fall, and after about an hour and a half is just below the horizon; as you ride, the darkened night sky overtakes you.
[23:37] <Kirath_Bloodmantle> "Let's stop and rest for a few hours.  When morning starts to trickle in, we'll continue the pursuit."
[23:38] <Wylde_West> "You sure? I can track ahead in the dark."
[23:38] <Rachelle_Carter> "The dark doesn't bother me either."
[23:39] <Kirath_Bloodmantle> "Unless you can share that, we'll rest."
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[23:39] * Wylde_West hrms. "I'll track ahead for an hour, Rach you help set up camp. First sig of trouble I'll come back."
[23:40] <Rachelle_Carter> "Okay mister West."
[23:43] <~CelestialDoggie> Wylde disappears off into the night while the rest of you roll out sleeping bags and rations. After a decent chunk of time, Wylde returns.
[23:43] * Wylde_West grunts. He unslings Lucy, checking iron sights.
[23:43] <Kirath_Bloodmantle> "No dice?"
[23:46] <Wylde_West> "I can smell smoke. Eucalyptus, by the smell. We've been using brush. They chopped their wood."
[23:47] <Wylde_West> "But the hills let the smoke vanish fore I can pinpoint. Scent's strong. Little under a bonfire, I'd wager."
[23:47] <Wylde_West> "Means they're confident."
[23:47] <Rachelle_Carter> "Maybe they have a lot of people."
[23:48] <Wylde_West> "Maybe. Or they don't wanna chill. The closer to dawn, real easy to spot it, then."
[23:48] <Kirath_Bloodmantle> "Or maybe they're just dumb.  We'll catch them in the morning."
[23:50] <Wylde_West> "The eggs, too. Gottakeep em warm."
[23:53] <Kirath_Bloodmantle> "Sleep time.  rhetoric later."  The man grunts
[23:54] * Wylde_West took last watch, let the others get their last bits of rest in, Lucy's primed and ready. Evaral is curled up like a cat. Rev snuggles a blank stared Spectre. She looks depressingly used to this.
[23:57] <~CelestialDoggie> The sun rises, burnishing the entire plains in a glow even more golden than its usual color. The insect noises and occasional rustling sounds from overnight fade away as a slight breeze picks up. The sky is cloudless and baby-blue.
[23:57] * Kirath_Bloodmantle rouses, dons his armor, and eats some trail rations. "Let's get to it."
[23:57] * Wylde_West calmly whistles, as the morning alarm.
[23:58] * Rachelle_Carter yawns and eats before transforming somewhere private.
[23:59] * Wylde_West just uses a tent to make a privacy screen and they all stay on the other side
[23:59] * Sophia studies her spellbook in preperation of the day.
[00:02] * Wylde_West packs up the camp. Bedrolls, tent, and spitroast kit on him, mess kits, ,cooking implements, and miscellaneous set up for Rachelle after she tranforms.
[00:04] <Wylde_West> "Scent's gone, they might be on the move already. Best we head out soon as we're able."
[00:06] <Sophia> "I'm ready whenever you rabble are."
[00:07] <Wylde_West> "Slick, you prepped for swordswingers?"
[00:08] <Sophia> "Yes, yes."
[00:09] <Wylde_West> "Don't think they won't resort to bows, or wands. Most mercs got some skulker hanging round ready to cutpurse."
[00:10] <~CelestialDoggie> You break camp as easily as you made camp the night before; your trip makes a short adjustment as you come across Wylde's mark from the night before, indicating where the trail is and which way it continues.
[00:11] <Wylde_West> "Don't think they won't resort to bows, or wands. Most mercs got some skulker hanging round ready to cutpurse."
[00:11] <Wylde_West> Gah
[00:12] <Wylde_West> "That's why I went freelance. Head honcho gets a taste for the illicit, sours the whole group."
[00:13] <Wylde_West> "Your group ever have that problem, Kirath?"
[00:16] <Wylde_West> Elvaral, more interestedin seeing the raptors afe than Wylde's ranbling, takes to the sky with Spectre. Rev silently curses his companion for fleeing from the rambling, leaving him unable to escape. He doesn't weigh that much! She could carry him!
[00:17] * Rachelle_Carter follows at a distance, looking around curiously.
[00:18] <Wylde_West> "Don't lag too far, Rach."
[00:18] <~CelestialDoggie> The trail is colder today than last night, though with some difficulty your guides are able to pick it up once again.
[00:18] <~CelestialDoggie> You make good time, passing the next camp by noon and maintaining your focus on the trail.
[00:18] * Wylde_West waves back at her. He looks to Kirath. "How big are these groups,you'd say?"
[00:19] <Kirath_Bloodmantle> "Depends on how many they need for the task.   They don't move as a company, they send groups off for tasking.  Much like myself."
[00:20] <Wylde_West> "Rustlin' eggs carefully, I'd wager...four to five man job? Plus a handler, for the raptors. So we're lookin' at six max."
[00:21] <Sophia> "LEss men means it's easier to hide your numbers."
[00:23] <~CelestialDoggie> The trail takes an unexpected route after that campsite, setting suddenly north and vaguely west on a large, looping track that doubles back on itself a time or three before turning sharply southwest again. Having cut the loops out of the trail, you continue onward.
[00:23] <~CelestialDoggie> Three hours of riding later you crest a small rise in the grasslands and...
[00:23] <~CelestialDoggie> Jackpot.
[00:27] <Sophia> "Oh hey look, people.
[00:28] <Wylde_West> Rev points out they're armed like they'remarching to war.
[00:30] <Kirath_Bloodmantle> "Alright, we'll handle it this way..."
[00:30] <Wylde_West> "Cripplin' the wagon's a good start.'
[00:31] <Kirath_Bloodmantle> "I and Rachelle approach from the front to halt them.  You all flank around the sides and the back.   If they're carrying the eggs, we'll ask them to hand them over.   If they get rowdy, or try to break for it, get 'em."
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[00:31] <Kirath_Bloodmantle> "That way, we don't leave a trail of bodies for no gain."
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[00:33] <Wylde_West> "Sounds like a plan. If you wanna make a show of force, raise the left hand. Put a bolt and arrow in their wagon while hiding. Give the illusion of more troops than we got."
[00:33] <Kirath_Bloodmantle> "Ehhh.  I'll take it into consideration."
[00:33] * Wylde_West elbows Rev, and they venture off to vanish. "Only if we have ta, bucko!" And out of sight they go
[00:34] * Kirath_Bloodmantle grabs Rachelle and gives wide berth to the wagon, speeding on ahead.
[00:34] <Sophia> "Why don't I just drop the wagon into a pit?"
[00:34] * Rachelle_Carter easily keeps up with Kirath
[00:35] <Wylde_West> Elvaral turns into  crow, landing on Rachelle's shoulder."raaak! Think I'm a familiar, they're never th wiser! Aaawk! Wheew~"
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[00:39] <~CelestialDoggie> Kirath and Rachelle make good time, and they pull abreast and even slightly forward of the wagon a hundred feet or so out before wheeling around to in front. It's pretty clear that they saw you, but only once you entered their peripheral vision.
[00:39] <~CelestialDoggie> Meanwhile, the rest of you slowly creep up behind, not really trying to hide your approach.
[00:40] <~CelestialDoggie> It appears that someone in the wagon noticed you, though, as a shout goes up and the end of a shortbow peeks through the read of the wagon...but thankfully the owner doesn't loose the arrow. Yet.
[00:44] * Kirath_Bloodmantle pulls up in front of the wagon. "Ho' there Guantlets. I need to speak to you!"
[00:46] * Rachelle_Carter waves. "Hello!"
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[00:48] <~CelestialDoggie> The driver pulls up short, his little entourage also halting. He stares at Kirath for more than a moment, narrowing his eyes. Then he chortles. "Bloodmantle! Fancy seeing you out in this wasteland. How's the business treating you?"
[00:48] <~CelestialDoggie> In spite of his jovial tone, the rest of the men with him are obviously tense.