"Very well, I'll leave it in your hands."
"Are we going to have horses for the cart? I couldn't procure one from my covenant as all the Magi there hate horses. I can ride, and animals don't mind me."
Alexei quirks an eyebrow. "Animals don't mind you? Well if that's the case, then yes, taking horses would be a good idea for at least part of the journey. Michelle, let's get some riding horses and switch from this handcart to something a bit bigger then. It will be easier to transport the giant then."
Xander mounts the horse, and accepts the wool acquired on his behalf places it carefully in a satchel. Whenever you're ready we can get underway. We will need to camp somewhere tonight.
((He wants the wool and not the sheep? Or were the sheep slaughtered and sheared just now?))
After a bit more time a horse drawn cart with Michelle and a page is procured along with three riding horses for Xander, Mufarrj and Alexei. Supplies are laid in the cart, arranged in such a way that a very large object or person could be laid down on it if necessary.
"We shall make what time we can tonight and camp. With luck that will bring us to the area by midday tomorrow perhaps." Alexei says as he inspects the gear. "We don't have chains, but I imagine I can spontaneously produce some should it be necessary."
(He said that he could transport them later, if he had an AC to them. The wool will act as an AC to them for several months, like hair does for people)
"Very well."
The cart does slow progress down, with it being laden with wine and whatnot. Alexei and the party make camp and it is an uneventful night, awaking refreshed the next morning they travel to the vicinity of Avallon.
((What's your plan here, Alexei should've figured out he doesn't know exactly where the giant is, just that he appears before the Tribunal and terrorizes the countriside for a time).
Upon the morrow, Alexei rises and has a meal. "We might be travelling a bit here. Unless we see the giant or its handiwork early on. I suggest we travel in the areas he's been sighted in, let me talk to the local folk, and maybe catch sight of it or pick up its trail. You don't know if it lairs in a Regio do you?"
"I suspect that it may be, since he's only sighted once every 7 years or so. I don't have direct proof, though. Do you have Second Sight?"
Alexei shakes his head as he begins concentrating and summoning his armour and adding enhancements to it. He does this wordlessly and then allows Michelle to help put it on before he begins to add enchantments to his Grog's armour. He also casts Doublet of Impenetrable Silk on the page's clothes and Mufarrj as well.
"No, I'm afraid I don't. Perhaps some long duration enchantments could be cast to help see into the regios, assuming there is one. Locals might narrow our search down. Would you care to have some enchantments cast upon you? I can conjure a suit of armour that is no bulkier than winter clothes, but harder than steel. Once we're ready will be on the road again. Michelle, ask the page if he knows any legends of a giant."
(Silvery scales of the knight, hardness of adamantine, hauberk of supreme lightness, and doublet of impenetrable silk on Alexei. Hardness of Adamantine, Hauberk of Supreme Lightness, and Doublet on Michelle, Doublet on Mufarrj and the page)
The page is from the area closer to the covenant, you're outside that range, although he has head about a giant, but it's never come close to Mont Beurvray that he knows of.
"Armor? No, Although I have some defensive measures I can take." He turns his horse siddles it up next to yours, leaning in conspirotrially whispers, ""If it comes down to it, I could transport me and another person away with a multi-cast leap of home coming variant I've made. I just need to touch you and myself, and you'll have to be conscious enough to drop your Parma."
The page will likely break and run if combat begins, just a fair warning. At best he's a porter/teamster, and your efforts at increasing the turb through recruitment have been less than satisfying, either in response or quality of applicants.
(Right, wasn't expecting the page to pick up a pitchfork and help or anything, but Alexei wouldn't leave him without a little protection, and the way he casts spells all that likely happens is that the page suddenly has a better feeling towards Alexei due to the Special Circumstances)
Alexei waves off the offer. "I know three different spells to transport me should I need it. I wouldn't worry yourself, but if you were to protect the men that travel with us, such as the Page, I would be grateful. Alright then, let us move on and we'll stop and speak with locals on the way." Alexei leans in close. "Please allow me to do the talking, I believe your Gift will hamper any such reports." As they ride along Alexei engages in idle conversation.
"Have you tried the Wizard's Leap? It is an instant transportation spell, like Leap of Homeconing, but at a much shorter distance. It's easy enough to master and if you're able to fast cast it quickly, provides an able defense without necessarily moving you so far from your starting point. I used it to great effect recently. What is it you're researching by the way, that you need a giant? Will my name be leant in your research as I helped capture the subject?"
"I understand." Xander says agreeably. "Yes, I'm familiar and capable with several means of personal transport. The Primus has not indicated that I am at liberty to share my research at this time, and I don't wish to draw her wrath, as she's ensuring I have funding for this research. We will, of course, credit the Milites generally and you specfically with the capture of the giant."
He looks around and seems concerned, "I don't mean to question your abilities, but I am a bit concerned that we might not have enough manpower to bring him down without too much damage."
Alexei seems unconcerned. "Michelle and Mufarrj are excellent combatants. I have a spell that will make them more than twice their height, and myself. That takes away much of the giant's advantages. I intend to get a small stab in with my spear, or perhaps just a small arcane connection. From there I will use that to help penetrate his resistance and cast a spell to stun him. Once he's down we can take our time and secure him. It won't be as easy as all that I'm sure, no plan is executed perfectly. I'd like to gauge how smart he is and see if he can be tricked perhaps into giving a lock of his hair in trade for the wine and sheep maybe. Once he's glutted and drunk, he could be much easier to handle."
Xander's attitude seems to change, "Sounds good, let's go get it! Where are we going again?"
Alexei seems rather please at the change in Zander's confidence. "Well...to tell the truth, I don't know. I'm new to this area and have only been here two seasons. This is the first I've heard of the giant. As I said, we'll ask around with the locals and see if they can give us a lead perhaps. Michelle, keep an eye out for locals if you please."
All the way to Avallon Michelle asks, but no one indicates that they've seen the giant. As you approach the town, the people you stop on the road seem to be more knowledgable about the giant, but inform you that it hasn't been seen. The facts, as they see them, often seem contradictory. He's 10 feet tall, 20 feet or even 30 feet tall. Some say he likes sheep, other say goats.
The only consistently reported fact is that he does wander around for about a month every 7 years, takes some livestock, and then leaves everyone in peace for 7 more years. None of the farmsteads that you have passed have ever been a victim, they suggest further north, or checkin in Avallon for more information.
Alexei will lead the group to Avallon, continuing to ask along the way. One thing he's definitely looking for would be the last confirmed sighting, who saw it, and what year that was; if it was any further back than 1213, he's not interested. If it's less than seven years ago, they might have a problem on their hands.
Ok describe how your searching. Who is doing it and appropriate abilities. Being descriptive will help me determine Ease Factor. Mufarjj obviously has problems being an Outsider.
Mufarrj and Xander should basically stay back and out of the way. Alexei will be approaching people but Michelle and the Page will be asking as their French is better. If we're on a road he'll approach people he sees working in the field or near the road. In a town he'll ask those who are in the market square, where the gossip tends to be thickest. If there is something that passes for a tavern or inn he'll stop there for a meal and tip well to get people's attention.
Ok thats part of it. Relevant abilities? Go ahead and do the rolls when you can.
Alexei will do some asking, using Charm (total bonus either Presence or Comm +3)
1d10+3 → [6,3] = (9)
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Michelle (who speaks native French) will use Carouse if that applies (total bonus +1/+2 if any soldiers are there)
1d10+1 → [5,1] = (6)
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Page I figure has maybe a +2 total between attributes and ability:
1d10+2 → [5,2] = (7)
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