<strong>Ada Stonewrought<br/>Wagon Caravan<br/>Outside the Academy</strong><br/><br/>Ada summoned his mount with a practiced gesture and a quiet whisper.  With a shimmer of distorted air and a muted<em>pop</em>, the brown mare appeared in front of him, next to the first wagon.  Horses whinnied and pawed nervously at the cobble.  Fairweather looked around, unaffected by the impact she'd made on the other horses.<br/><br/>"Good girl, good girl," Ada murmurred, rubbing her neck affectionately.  He offered the core of an apple below her lips, and Fairweather ate it in one bite.  He wasn't entirely sure where his mount went when she wasn't summoned, but he supposed she would have food and water.  She was always in peak condition when she was summoned.  Her brown coat shimmered in the sunlight, smooth and shiny, and lean muscles rippled underneath unbroken skin.  A simple saddle and bit made of unremarkable leather awaited him.  It had been there when he'd first summoned her, and even if it was damaged, it would be good as new when he saw her again.<br/><br/>Hitching the Bow on the pommel, he swung himself up in the saddle.  Fairweather shook her head, neighing softly.<br/><br/>As they left the village that clung to the Academy's walls, Ada cast a cool eye on his companions.  There was Analise, the paladin.  Reliable, but young and probably rash.  She'd probably try and play the hero.  He'd have to keep an eye on her.  Beside her was Tavah, a wildman from the north with a ludicrously large sword.  He was older than her, yet still a youth to Ada, although doubtlessly more skilled in combat.  A good man to have your back.  He hoped.<br/><br/>There was Tha'ael, ghosting along silently.  He didn't know much about her, nor could he glean anything besides her fondness for shadows and liquid agility.  She certainly looked dangerous.  A rogue like that could lend you a hand while stabbing you in the back with the other.  Ebirc was another unknown.  Ada wasn't fooled by the heavy metal he hefted around; that fellow was a pious man, and his eyes had the look of a man four times his age.<br/><br/>The tiefling had surprised Ada, appearing after everyone else, stepping out of the shadows like a damned demon from the pits of hell.  He had never considered himself a hateful or fearful man, but the tall red skinned and horned woman struck a chord of unease deep within him.  Her cruel and surprisingly pathetic armor confused him, but he knew she wouldn't be on the expedition if she wasn't talented.  She knew what she was doing, and he did not.  With that thought fresh in his mind, Ada realized he had immediately disliked her, and now he trusted her even less.<br/><br/>The last two were Nalin and Mark, an unremarkable dwarf and an remarkable human.  The dwarf had wise eyes and a solid build, and in his massive armor looked more like an ancient boulder than a warrior.  His warhammer was immense.  Ada made a mental note: despite his height, Nalin Goodhammer was likely the strongest man he had ever met.  He'd be sure to keep that dwarf between him and any enemies they may encounter.  In stark contrast was Mark, tall and lightly armored, carrying exotic weapons and walking lightly despite the weight.  Ada narrowed his eyes.  There was something about the man which made the hairs on the back his neck stand straight.  Another one to keep an eye on.<br/><br/>The Academy shrunk behind them, and the hills grew before them.  Sparse copses gave way to a gradually thickening wood, and the farmsteads grew smaller and farther between.  After the fifth mile, he was in unknown territory.  Ada had come to the Academy from the east, and had rarely ridden out in this direction.  [Perception Roll: 30 (http://elliquiy.com/forums/dicebot.php?r=48306)]  He scanned the road and the treeline carefully, never missing a detail.  There, a barely visible huntsman's trail snaked into the shadows of the forest.  And a little ways past, three trees had "X"'s carved into their knotted bark.  An eagle drifted high overhead, searching for prey.  The rear wheel of the first wagon wobbled more than it should have; it would need to be repaired before long.  And there, on the horizon, a smudge of black smoke.<br/><br/>He probably saw it before anyone else.  He was about to raise the alarm when they rounded a bend in the road, exposing a large clearing and the smoking ruin of a village.  Ada paused, scanning the village.  While the others investigated the dead orcs, Ada examined the village itself.  [Perception: 12 (http://elliquiy.com/forums/dicebot.php?r=48307)]  An unfortunate gust of wind blew smoke in his direction.  Ada bit back a curse and blinked away the tears, nudging Fairweather into a trot, his hand up in front of his face.  He passed the orcs and others on the ground, still looking towards the village.<br/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Stats</div><div class="spoiler_body"><strong>Ada Stonewrought<br/>Level 5 Human Sorcerer</strong> (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=584077)<br/><em>Anxious on Fairweather, looking.</em><br/>HP: 29/29<br/>Subdual: 29/29<br/>Hit Dice: 5d6<br/>Init: +5<br/><br/><strong>Saves</strong><br/>Fort: +1<br/>Reflex: +4<br/>Will: +6<br/><br/><strong>Defense</strong><br/>AC: 14<br/>Touch: 13<br/>Flat: 11<br/>CMD: 15<br/><br/><strong>Offense</strong><br/>Melee: +2<br/>Ranged: +5<br/>Bow of Alister: 1d8+1 (x3), 100 ft.  Magical.  Point-Blank Shot, Arcane Strike, Gravity Bow (2d6+1)<br/>Claws (x2): 1d4 (x2).  Magical.  Uses left: 8/8 rounds<br/><br/><strong>Spell Slots</strong><br/>Cantrips- ∞<br/>1st - 7/8<br/>2nd - 5/5</div></div>