[Introduction] The Twist of Fate

[Norrin Radd]

"The gnome speaksss wise...even now the gem seekss to corrupt." He looks at the gnome, "Bogzz does not require you to trust...what I have spoken here isss truth if you accept it or not. Smash the gem...if you do not trust me...you will see you cannot."
He then points to the dwarf "The gemsss power is primal, elemental...old power...before EEEEVIl, as you say. Evil one seeksss it though...very powerful. My people have suffered in the fighting of thisss one."
Bogzz looks to each of the adventures. "There are many gemss like it...elemental power from before good and evil...long ago they wass split up...by those seekin power. I do not know all of em....Bogzz is a warrior, a defender of the treess, and swampss, and clouds above em" with that statement he strikes a clawed fist to his heart, and not gently. "The shamansss of my tribe...they know em...they have found where to bring all the gems...to put em together again. Then they will stay where they belong."

[MhBlis]

Mule looks offended"Did you really think I was going to just hand it over?" once again indicating that He is holding the bag and doesn't look like he is going to hand it over to anyone. "and There you go again putting them all together when you say they were seperated for a reason. No I think you need to do better than Evill and start putting some names to this. Surely you must no somehting of why and what the gems are if your tribe have been suffering for them." Looking at their surroundings once more Mule feels the need to add "Also we need to start making a descion here and get on the move since standing here in the open like this is inviting trouble. Me I say we head to the nearest sage with the Big boy in tow and see if he can add some more answers to the explanation."

[Duderk]

With a faint shrug, Jin nods and agrees with Mule; "What we have here is nothing more then hearsay and belief. We should seek out someone who can answer our questions more... astutely. In the meantime, is the dwarf really the best one to carry this? His gear makes him look like a ranger, or fighter of some kind, not a mage. This gem is definitely not something to be toyed with; who should carry something, and be able to understand the power they hold, and at the same time resist the urge to use said power?" Looking around the small group, Jin notices that everyone is giving him an odd look, realizing what they are probably looking at him for, Jin chuckles. "And while I can understand the power in that thing I don't think I could resist its call indefinitely. I know my own limits, and carrying something that calls into my mind, the source of my strength, does not seem like a good idea to me..." Jins words trail off, as he falls into silent thought; though what he is thinking is not clear to those around him.

[MhBlis]

"Aye I agree with you the but by the same token the man said the he was no caster himself and yet trusts in the bag to keep safe. Somehow if they can trust him to guard it and keep it safe in the bag I think so can we." Mule replies with a faint shrug and a smile to show he's not offended. "And by that same reasoning you just said your likely to fall to whatever it is you are experiencing. So far I've not been in contact with it and I don't plan to either. Also as you point out I'm quiet experienced in carrying dangerous items on my person." Letting out a throathy chuckle "I'm not called Mule for nothing".

Turning to Bogzz "Does that meet with your approval? I'll carry this bag and you can join us. You fill us in on the details and we'll protect it until we can get some clear direction on what and where to go?" Mule finishes with a look around to see if anyone else has anything to add.

[whorrak]

Mithra glances down the road towards the wreckage, idly running his fingers over the gem. "Keep the bag then, dwarf, and I'll hold onto the gem. I require more time to study it. In the meantime, I suggest we survey the wreckage further down the road." Mithra pauses, tilting his head as another breeze blows through. "Someone may be hurt, after all..."

[Norrin Radd]

"Ass I said before the gem iss not evil...it has itss part to play in the balance...like fire, water, and earth...others use it'ss power for evil and corruption. In the wrong handsss it is very dnagerouss. The foe my tribe fightss isss an old one...hass no name...wantss the gem. Hearsay and belief?....Bogzz sayss truth. You will see."

Bogzz turns to see what is happening down the road and the turns back to the group. His beady reptilian eyes squint trying to see what is going on.

"Bogzz bag isss nothing magic...just to keep it safe from missin with the gem. You want expertss to look at the gem...my tribess shamanss is expertss...none know more. All your questionss answered by them. My tribe liess two dayss hard travel to the North...Bogzz knowss the way. If you wish to see what isss happening down the road Bogzz will come with you...but we should not waste much time carrying the gem...ass I said it iss dangersouss to have...otherss want it."

[Duderk]

Looking at Mithra, Jin has a look of worry on his face. "Mage; it might be a good idea for you to put the gem in the bag, at least while you are not inspecting it. The gem is calling out, can you not hear it?

Dice Diplomacy to help with persuasion, if whorrak decides to look at it, it is v Player, so your call though:

d20+14

(17)+14

Total = 31

What if more of those things come after us, simply because we carry that gem? We might lead them directly towards civilians, or other hapless travelers; I do not think it is appropriate to endanger others when we can simply carry the gem inside the bag and at least reduce the call of the gem."

[whorrak]

Mithra stares into the gem as Jin makes his case. After a long pause, the sorcerer relents. "Oh, by the arcane. Fine." Mithra stuffs the gem into an inner pocket of his robes. "May we now continue down the path, or would you all care to debate the color of the sky or the nature of man next?" The sorcerer turns on his heel, his staff digging into the road as he ventures towards the wreckage.

[Norrin Radd]

"Bogzz knows the color of the sky...on most daysss" the lizardman grumbles as he falls in next to the human barbarian. As he sizes her up he smiles at her and asks, "Do you have scarss to show?"

[Tarek]

Upon reaching the the wreckage, it's obvious this must be from the injured man. Blood streaks the wagon and pools on the ground. There seems to be the remains of a horse, and a few of the smaller foes you faced before, but nothing seems to be still "alive" anymore.

Inside the wagon are several chests, sacks, and crates. Still intact, obviously the attack was just to kill, not steal the loot.

Perhaps it's time to look for something of use? That injured man cannot use all of what you find. And As well, you were asked to find his gems.

[whorrak]

Mithra begins

Dice Perception:

1d20+6

(7)+6

Total = 13

searching the wreckage, shifting the contents about with the end of his staff. "Search the immediate area. I find it unlikely a merchant would be driving his own carriage. There may be a driver or assistant nearby, perhaps turned by these wretched creatures." Glancing back at the gnome, he adds "... or, as it were, the dangerous trees."

[Norrin Radd]

Uninterested in the sifting through the wreckage Bogzz takes Mithra'a lead busies himself with a Dice Perceprtion Check: 1d20+7 (17)+7 Total = 24careful search of the immediate area. He focuses his efforts at about 50' around the smashed wagon.

Warning: rolls have been deleted from this post.

[Duderk]

Jin joins Mithra in searching the wagon, stretching out his mind to feel for anything that stands out among the mundane. "Wonder if this merchant had anything... Powerful on his cart?" Jin mumbles, though his words are still audible to those nearby.

 

Dice Perception for valuables on the wagon:

d20+14

(5)+14

Total = 19

Dice Arcana for magic items on the wagon:

d20+15

(18)+15

Total = 33

[Raizen]

Etain follows along as apprehensive as ever.

[MhBlis]

While everyone else starts their search Mule takes up Perception

Dice Perception:

1d20+11

(11)+11

Total = 22

station as a guard. Staying close to the wagon but mirroring Bogzz movements as he travels in his search.