(Market Watch) Ruin's of Sal's

[James Turner]

Why was everyone looking to him for answers? He knew he normally gave his suggestions but this was a new position for him. He raised an eyebrow and scratched the back of his head before wincing. Yea, that was a mistake. Shaking his head to Sera and Circe. “Was going to look for a thorn for Pathfinding and I don’t like to leave my blood about if I can help it.” He gave a shrug sure the others were of the same mindset.

“You’re both right, we’re here for a reason. It’s close to our backdoor so we have an obligation to check it out I think. I can scout ahead if you think we need it, but if we think its just the start of the market…” He wasn’t really sure what to do here, questioning his own instincts now. Looking back down at the ice and then at the sign feeling the tension in his chest. “What did you hear?” He said looking to Vivian as he went to pick up a thorn to pocket in case he needed it for pathfinding.

Equipment: Knife, Backpack, Thermos(coffee), Handful Candy, Backpack, Rope, multi-tool, emergency blanket, road flares, full zippo, 3 packs of cigarettes, sunglasses, 6 granola bars, 2 water bottles, and a flashlight

[Vivian Wing]

Vivian was listening to the wind, she leaned back and forth slightly in the breeze, talking with the air. When she had heard all it had to say, rather hurriedly on that last bit was cut off. Like the wind itself didn't have time to finish. Vivian's brow furrowed.

"The Air has spoken, and it had this to say exactly." She repeated verbatim what was said and how, including the abrupt cut off. She let the group know to make a decision after she finished with the wind. She listened to Circe as she mentioned scouting, and then to Anatole nodding a bit, and to Serephina keeping an alert eye out. Finally she looked at John and waited.

[Saber Sloth]

As the Lost ponder, it is only their voices that keep the silence around them from echoing.

Sera knows the silence, and still ness, this doesn't change. Looking ahead se notices the scattered cobblestones that caused James to take a tumble, grow numerous until they form a proper path, leading in the direction the sparkling pink sign is pointing.

[Anatole]

Anatole grunted sourly.

"Well. We have come this far... So I say we are jumping at shadows. For all we know the Hedge is silent because of what was here before. Because of what happened here... Maybe. If something really wanted to do us harm, it would have acted already. So lets hop to it! We came to check out this place - so lets see what these ambrosial delights are."

Carefully hefting his axe once more, Anatole heads down the cobble stone path toward the ruins of Sal's Market.

He does not look back.

EQUIPMENT:
- Fire Ax
- Bottle of Water
- Trail Rations

Health: 7/7
WP: 4/4 (2 uses left)

[Circe]

"Hmph, yes we shall Anatole," Circe nods in agreement as she hurries to catch up with the Winter dwarf. From behind him she declares, "I could quote Tolkien right now but it is kinda backwards," and she didn't recall the line from Gimli.

Circe takes up a position on Anatole's right, rifle at the ready, as they head towards the ruins.

Kit

backpack, fanny pack, 4 Ertwen Healing Fruits and 1 Jarmyn Fruit, Colt (Fiber optic) 45 + 2 extra clips & 20 rounds, SKS + 2 spare clips + 20 rounds + Silencer, knife, black skin suit, Hedgespun Lorica Segmentata, flashlight, thermos (gourmet coffee), 1 roll of duct tape, 2 power bars, 1 water bottle, Cumin powder, 2 pendants, bubblegum, 4 Godiva chocolate bars, Hedgespun multiool

Stats

HP 7, WP 5, Def 2, Armor 2/2, limbs 1/0

[Seraphina]

“Makes sense.” She says, looking through her bag, “And look at that! I do have a bandage!” holding it up then out to James. Can’t fault him for being extra careful, in here, it could be deadly not to be.

Then the call was made, they were checking it out. Maybe it would have some information about how quiet the area was. Or maybe it was just a place setup by hobs to try and trade. Either way, it could be useful.

Listening as Vivian spoke, a thoughtful look on her face, “Huh.” Not much to go off, but, it was more than they originally had. “Ever heard anything like it before?” asking not just Vivian, but the group as a whole. “Though Sal being gone isn’t really a bad thing per say, but makes you wonder who or what took his place.” She muses.

Noticing the ground, she points it out, “Looks like someone or something thinks this is the way.” Always good to point out things to everyone else.

There was truth in what Anatole said, but she was still unsure. Sure, something could have attacked by now. But it could also be biding its time. It was hard to know which was the truth.

So she simply follows him and Circe. Not in the front, but behind Circe, off to her side. Hand resting near her dagger. In case.

Bottle of water, bag of trail mix, 2 sun catchers, 2 necklaces, golden dagger, hedgespun jacket and necklace(see sidebar), bandages and gauze, notebook with pencil with a few sketches inside. WP 3 Health 7

[James Turner]

He shook his head thinking Anatole’s brashness and impatience was against him this time. Seeing Circe follow and then the rest would as well, that was just human nature. “Thank you.” He said taking the bandage from Sera as he began heading down the path with everyone else. He wanted to scout out ahead, trying his best to stay off the actual cobles having experienced how slippery and noisy they were. He’d take uneven dirt for now.

“And when they’re coming back.” James added forlornly, leave it to Winter to find the cynical vein in the outlook. Her questions were actually at the top of his mind but he said the one held in fear at the back of his mind. “Bandits used to ambush folks on the way to markets. Just, heads on a swivel please.” A frown of concern on his lips as he was momentarily distracted as he peeled the band-aid open and got it ready. Sticking the thorn into his thumb until he saw a bead of blood form then quickly placed the band-aid to his thumb and pocketed the thorn to burn later.

Vivian’s pronouncement didn’t do anything to ease his fears but enflamed them further. He didn’t think the last words were cut short but instead that the silence was spreading. “Anyone else see The Never Ending Story?” He mused idly as he called upon the contract he had with Dreams.

2 successes

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2021-02-18 06:32:53	James Turner rolls 5 to Pathfinding (Int + Wyrd) (10 Again)	9, 8, 3, 4, 3	2 successes

James invokes Pathfinding using its clause.
Equipment: Knife, Backpack, Thermos(coffee), Handful Candy, Backpack, Rope, multi-tool, emergency blanket, road flares, full zippo, 3 packs of cigarettes, sunglasses, 6 granola bars, 2 water bottles, and a flashlight

[Vivian Wing]

Vivian followed Circe and smiled slightly at Anatole. He wanted to plow right on, and while she could get behind the action, the Air's response was troubling. Being cut off like that, wasn't a good sign, neither was the fact that Sal was 'gone.' Gone how? The answers led to more questions.

Vivian nodded a bit in response to Sera's words. It certainly seemed something was wanting them to go that way. Whether this is a way to lead people to the new market, or into some creepy trap was what she was debating with in her mind.

Vivian snorted aloud at John's comment about the 'Neverending Story.' "Are you worried we are going to end up like the horse?" She asked softly, looking around carefully.

2 curved swords, 2 fore arm length utility/hunting knives in her boots, canteen, lures and fishing line, cheap tin cup, matches, length of sturdy rope, trail mix, beef jerky.

[Saber Sloth]

The Lost continue in this strange vacuum of silence, while the Winter King speaks his warnings, and uses a nearby Thorn for the Catch to the Pathfinder Clause. The Wyrd swells up around him, and as the Darkling asked no questions, he is simply left with these two facts.

There is a Market in the direction the sign is pointing.

and

There is no imminent danger to following the cobblestone path

In the future please ask which questions you want answered with Pathfinder

[Anatole]

Anatole sets a stout pace now that he is on something solid. And what can be more solid and substantial than a cobblestone path leading to a vacated Goblin Market?

Still, he is not a total fool. His Axe is still in his hands, brandished now as if it were some kind of ward against trouble. The silence is loud in his ears and might just be the cause of the slowly growing frown on his face. The Hedge reacts after all: so either the dominant emotions in the area had been completely wiped or there was some skull duggery afoot.

Either way, he wanted to get to the island of safety the hobs promised trading station afforded.

2 successes

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2021-02-20 23:15:21	Anatole is perceptive rolls 4 to Wits + Composure (10 Again)	1, 7, 8, 10, 2	2 successes