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After advising Tildon of likely places on their backtrail to which he could withdraw, Esias examines the map. "Your ambitious prelate could be thinkin' o' leadin' his warriors 'gainst eastern Caithness, or 'cross the water to the isle o' Kelt, or even t' war on other tribes o' Tharbria," h...

Esias will show the map to the dwarf.

Hastily stowing the waterskin back in the packhorse's, er, pack, Esias unslings his bow and follows Oldin into the river, holding his weapon high and scanning the surface and the far bank for danger as he wades through the water.

Esias regards the dwarf with a guarded expression, his voice flat and low as he responds to Oldin: "It will take us an extra day or more to reach these headwaters, although from there we could strike straight for our goal and lose no more time. If you think such a delay will not greatly imperi...

Esias stands very still at Oldin's words, watching the dwarf carefully but making no move to unsling his bow or draw a weapon.

Esias quirks an eyebrow quizzically at Oldin's addendum, but after handing the reins of Elezar's mount to Elezar obediently strides to the pack horse, slings his bow, and fumbles at the saddlebags for an empty waterskin.

(OOC: if it matters, Listen +11, Search +10, Spot +11)

Esias stops walking at the dwarf's words, remaining in the current square (H22). He catches the reins of Elezar's horse with his free hand, giving the other man a sour look, then turns to regard the river and the Riverkeeper, occasionally looking up and down stream ... and over his shoulder, just i...

Esias responds: "What manner o' men will these Natchai likely be: tradesmen or ruffians, zealous acolytes or trained warriors? Have y' any idea how many there could be, and how armed? And what name does this Prelate own, and what sort o' reputation has he?"

Judging the dwarf to be just beyond the most effective range of his bow, Esias will walk slowly (10 ft per turn) towards the nearest point on the riverbank (square L21). His hands will be at his sides, his shortbow in his left but no arrow is drawn; he will be watching the dwarf with a neutral expre...

Esias responds to Oldin's revelation with a grimace and a short phrase in a harsh, grating tongue. ( OOC: PM me if you understand Orcish ) Then he addresses the the other: "Be this plinth th' location marked on th' map, some shrine or monument t' this unsavory god? And what more can you tell u...

"Travelin' by day 'n' campin' by night means we'll only be needin' t' make our own light if somethin' should come upon us while we rest," Esias allows judiciously. "A campfire or two, wi' dry wood for little smoke 'n' shielded so as not t' be visible too far away, and some ready torch...

"By my reckonin', the food 'n' gear we've put together, divided 'mongst us, shouldn't slow us down, 'less somebody wants t' lug a statue or somethin' along," Esias states firmly. "We may have t' hunt on th' way back if we take longer'n expected t' get t' the boy -- th' Wanderer knows,...

"The food comes t' twenty-six pounds for each o' us, wi' another thirteen for th' boy," Esias explains patiently. "Stoppin' t' hunt will waste time 'n' make th' trip longer, and we don't know why they took th' lad, so best we get there as soon as we can. I'll be carryin' my share, Mas...

Esias makes an addition to the list, then does some figuring. "This be what I make th' now," he says, displaying his results: 4 bedrolls (4 sp) 8 cold weather blankets (24 sp) 7 sets of cold weather clothing (56 gp) 5 riding horses (negotiable) w/ tack (bit, bridle, blanket, riding saddle,...

"Potions have th' benefit that any o' us can give one t' any other," Esias observes pensively, "while wands can only be used by one who can cast the spells they contain. On t'other hand, wands can be used more often than a potion, provided th' operator be able t', well, operate it. A ...

"Then by all means, Master Tilden should have a healer's kit or two," Esias avers, nodding respectfully to the halfling. "And whatever aid Seker can grant us will be much appreciated." In response to Vulan's remark and their conversation, he amends the supply list: 6 quivers of a...

Somewhat distracted by Rúadhnait's unexpected remark, Esias absently opines: "Might be best t' learn who o' our company knows summat o' the physicker's art, 'n' try t' find a kit for each. 'Tis not a skill I've had occasion t' learn," he confesses, then pats his belt pouch, "though I ...

Esias shrugs. "As you wish; my craft be scoutin' 'n' guidin', belike this be more along your trail," he allows amiably. Then a thought visibly strikes him. "Beshrew me, somethin' else not normally my responsibility, but it just struck me. How many o' us have skill in the physickin' ar...

Esias shows the rough list he has compiled: 4 bedrolls 8 cold weather blankets 7 sets of cold weather clothing 6 horses (including the pack animal) with tack 2 ponies with tack 4 quivers of arrows 6 cases of crossbow quarrels darts (however many Tilden finds appropriate) 2 daggers (for Leenah) 1 ha...

OOC: PM me with the items in the list your character already has, or doesn't need, so I can add 'em here and figure out what to get. [Updated c. 19:20 EDT, 27 June 2006] Aeless : has bedroll, grappling hook, 50' rope, and I believe a horse; needs rations, cold weather garb, winter blanket, and anoth...

"Th' marshes border th' west side o' the river, so th' horses should have good footin' by our stayin' on th' east bank," Esias observes. "We don't expect th' cold t' be bad till we reach th' hills, but a bedroll 'n' heavy blanket wouldn't be amiss even before then, Mistress Rúadhnait....

Esias nods as he makes some notations in the margin of the map. "We mean t' stay out o' the Mists, so your witch hag should give us no trouble 'less she's got a case o' wander-foot," he remarks. "And could be that this village along the North Sharryn was wiped out by Tharbrian raider...

As Oldin deals with any queries, Esias spreads a map on the table and beckons the others to gather around when the sage is done with them. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v641/The_Griffin/Amon.jpg "This be th' location th' sage divined as bein' where th' boy be held," he informs the part...

Esias addresses Rúadhnait diffidently: "Some folk hold that 'tis ill luck t' kill a drunkard, no matter what foolishness he spouts. Not t' mention th' fearful mess it makes, and th' fuss it can raise."

Brand: I've been to Tharbria, as far north as Iso Monster Lake. I never encountered any of the Monsters that it's name implies, but the people there are fierce warriors. Esias gives the knight a measuring look. "From what sage Oldin showed me, your experiences might be useful. Mayhap you can w...

Looking about the room, Esias asks the group at large, "Has anyone here ever been t' the northern lands of Tharbria? I confess, I've not, and belike some knowledge beforehand of the ground we'll be coverin' might be useful."

Esias shrugs as he watches Aeless and Jermain begin their game. "Might be as we should wait for sage Oldin afore startin' a meal; he may have a final word for us all. And might be," he muses pensively, "as he's not over anxious for news of our purpose to be nattered about by every tav...

After his interview with Oldin, Esias takes a mug of mead from the innkeeper, which he nurses until Aeless returns in his new finery. Quaffing the last of his drink, he approaches the half-elf. "I was taught th' ways o' trail 'n' track by m' Da, Keldar th' Far-Traveled, down by the Smoke Mounta...

Gathering up his haversack and quiver, Esias favors Aeless with a bemused smile. "I' the wild lands, useless chatter oft be a sign t' them y' hunt or avoid, that y' be about. A good woodsman soon learns t' bide his tongue till words be needful. Belike some o' your kinfolk could tell y' that,&qu...

The first to respond to Oldin is a tanned, grey-eyed man with light brown hair, barely an inch taller than the scholar and of wiry build. He wears a chain shirt made of very delicate-looking links over the garb favored by most adventurers and explorers, although his forest green boots appear more fi...