LWAG: The Lost Caravan - Scene One, The Story So Far...

[silverfoxdmt73]

Though his body is still warm, Storm Oak quickly realises the man is quite dead, his neck broken.

His clothing stinks and he is generally unkempt. The sword at his hip is badly maintained and pitted with rust. There is a small pouch on his belt next to the sword, containing 6 gold crowns.

There is no discernible response to Ermanaric's ruse.

[Orvost]

Ermanaric quickly appraises the dead man's archery implements and, unless they are of exceptional quality, he sets them aside in case someone else wants them. He then loosens the man's belt and rolls him over so he can free the weapon sheath and money pouch. Ermanaric is rough with the body, partly for the sake of speed and efficiency, and partly for any confederates who refused to break cover to come to his aid. He takes two crowns for himself and offers the rest to his companions. Unless someone else expresses interest, he takes the short sword as well. Finally, Ermanaric pulls the man's shoe off and takes a close look to see if this was the man they've been tracking.

[ManWithDoor]

The wizard is somewhat surprised at the treatment of the corpse, but he has to remind himself that we are not in the heart of civilization, and certain proprieties are no longer applicable. He takes the coin out of practicality, trying to place himself in the mindset of Ermanaric. After all, the man is dead. He won't miss his belongings. And if any of his friends are the reason for the missing Caravan, then leaving anything behind would allow them to reclaim valuable resources. Best to deny them even that.

[Vardaen]

Storm Oak steps back a look of distaste on his face, "Really Ermanaric? Really?" He holds his hand up to stop the man from giving him anything. "No, I have no need for a few coins from a dead man." He steps out into the open, "Your friend is dead now! Come out, let us talk about this, he needs his last rites for his family and his soul." The Kai Lord gazes about trying to locate any others in the area.

[silverfoxdmt73]

Nobody comes crashing through the trees to answer either Ermanaric or Storm Oak’s shouts, only the occasional magpie caws in apparent laughter in reply.

Through the trees to the east, you can just about make out the blue waters of Lake Helmar.

[Vardaen]

"Perhaps we were wrong, and this man was only hunting deer and we frightened him to his death. A sad state whatever it is. I think we are distracted from our goals now. We should not leave this man here to be eaten by carrion creatures. I think we packed a shovel in our camping gear. I will dig, you others gather rocks to lay over him. We shall lay him to rest here in what proper way we can." Storm Oak collects the shovel from the camp gear and finds a place with few roots and starts to dig a shallow grave for the man, to be finished off with a rock cairn over the top. Perhaps even during this time, if there are others, they will come forward.

[ManWithDoor]

Kir continues his pattern of following along with what the professionals are saying they should do. It's not that he is a simpleton, he just recognizes he is completely out of his depths, and is clinging on to those who have expertise in these wild lands and situations. He searches around for big enough rocks to help with a cairn.

[Orvost]

Ermanaric doubles back and visits the last foot imprint on the trail they had been following. Satisfied that the shoe in his hand made the mark, he returns to his companions and throws the shoe aside in disgust.

"I suppose this man has paid for my services as grave digger but, if he is simply a local hunter, he will have people looking for him. We do him and his folk a disservice if we put him underground and forever make his disappearance a mystery. We ought to return to the wagon trail."

Having said his peace, Ermanaric starts collecting rocks and contributing to the group effort, least they consider him lazy or contrary.

[Vardaen]

"You may be right Ermanaric, I had not considered that. I suppose we can tell those we meet of him, and spread the word of his passing." Once the job is done, and the group returns to the road, Storm Oak leaves a marker on the side of the road, easily spotted so others coming to look for the man can find his grave from here.

OOC

Let's move on?