Jeanne and Greg's Not-so-Excellent Adventure

Jean and Greg set off for Monocacy, Jean on her Phantom Steed and Greg wildshaped into a squirrel tucked inside her hood and/or sitting on her shoulder.

As they ride west, they overtake and pass a number of travelers, as well as meeting others coming from the other way. Usually, it's Usan walking or English driving carts. Upon questions, most east-bound travelers acknowledge seeing a band of half-dozen Monax wearing large trade packs (oversize backpacks). One group of Monocacy locals reports that the Monax have frequently sold small quantities of English goods, though mostly they sell surplus harvest in the fall. As far as Usan go, you have met Canabri (small foxes dressing in Tudor fashion), Norman (hedgehog people), and one member of the Crougar (cat-people, which you would call tabaxi).

The speed of their approach and/or passing provokes a number of different fight-or-flight reactions among travelers (i.e. hiding in the bushes, readying weapons, diving for cover, etc.), but nothing that involves a lengthy or violent encounter.

They are descending into the valley in which Monocacy resides when they spy a group of six Monocacy with large packs, walking with two humanoids, carrying a deer carcass between them, strung on a pole.

Jeanne slows her approach to a quick trot and "Hail the Monax!" in a friendly voice as recognizes one of the Monax as Danior, a Monax who has been a guide to the PCs on several occasions.

Jeanne says "greetings Danior" and beg the humans' forgiveness for needed to chat with the Monax for a few minutes.  Then she tells the truth about talking to Vadana and how and when our items are to be returned. She is  firm but not unkind. She also asks if Vandana is in Monacacy now.

Danior looks her straight in the eye and says "I'm sorry English lady, but my name is Phillip. I have no idea what you are talking about. You must be confused. Vadona would not want us to go back on our word. Our delivery has been promised to customers in Monocacy."

She asks the humans what the penalty is, if any, for receiving stolen goods. Goods that pretty clearly were not made anywhere around here.  And if he is not Danior and not carrying some of the things he and his cronies stole from our home before they burned it down while we were in town, then he won't mind showing me what's in the packs. We will of course help them pack everything back up if I am mistaken.  And there will be intimidation with this. I rolled a 17, not sure what my pluses are. And this is a quiet, steely intimidation. I'm not yelling. Greg turns back into himself and casts call lightning so the sky starts to get dark. (Helping to intimidate them. )

The initial reaction to you by the humans in the colonial english version of "what the fuck you crazy bitch" but would strike you as much more mild. Something like "Madam, control yourself, you are raving. I have known Phillip for for years and he is no thief." (Jeanne disagreed with the phrasing of "Raving" but that side conversation is not relevant to the story. )

When Greg suddenly appears, and then casts a spell (the sky grows dark 100' overhead and lighting crackles within), the humans drop their deer and draw weapons. (two hatchets for one, a musket for the other) but do not point them at anyone. They do however look ready to use them. They appear to be "holding their action".

As one, the Monax drop to the ground, Phillip crying "Take them, take them!" as the Monax wriggle out of their large packs

Jeanne says, "I have no intention of taking anything that is not ours. It is entirely possibly that the name this creature gave me is not the one he gave you. If what is in the packs is not ours, I will extend my sincerest apologies and continue my journey to find those who have our possessions. If it is ours, I will lay charges against these creatures. Greg, my love, do not move against anyone here. (Talking to the humans) He is very very angry because his animals friends, somewhat more than pets as he is a druid, were almost killed when our home was burned to the ground."

She opens the top of Danior/Phillip's large pack revealing... corn, gourds, and sacks of beans.

Jeanne carefully empties every pack to the bottom. She looks for little pockets/ hidden seams for smuggler's niches, squeezing the supposedly empty bag. The humans started to leave, but Phillip/Danior asked them to stay and they did. She finds nothing but the aforementioned vegetables. The Monax are meek and obedient the whole time.

The humans make smartass comments to each other. It was mostly comments about notorious vegetable thieves, roving the roads, preying on innocent vegetarians. They seem to find it ridiculous that the Monax are accused of anything resembling a serious crime. Any directed mocking is more towards the Dread Pirate Phillip and his friends. It seems more to you to be like the humans are mocking their Monax companions, who are in an embarrassing position, but the kind of ribbing you give to people you know.

Jeanne tells them (the two humans) that Greg spoke to the animals and we know precisely what has happened and show them the note that the Monax left and advise them to be careful of the company they keep. If they say anything about goat people being known to be violent, I'll tell him the whole story about talking to the dead guy.

The humans are definitely eyeing the Monax differently now. It's like being told the kindly gardener you've had for years is actually a mass-murderer. It's hard to believe at first. The human's are not pushing back, but they are definitely having trouble wrapping their heads around the idea. One replies, "I know about the Billium (Goat people). They are wanderers and not known for that sort of theft and property damage. Though to be fair, neither are the Monax. A lot of people think of the Monax as thieves and pickpockets (though they've never done me any harm) but I've never heard of anyone accusing them of stealing anything more than a horse or piece of jewelry."

She commiserates with the humans about the unexpectedness and share our hurt at the wrong that has been done us. Greg chimes in with how angry he is that our hospitality was abused and how we took them at their word and that their betrayal is so much worse than the theft and property damage and if his beloved friends had died in the fire there would be no burrow deep enough for them to hide (looking hard at "Phillip") and we'll leave it at that.

Jeanne then carefully repacks every item. She tells Danior that they should be careful from whom they steal. It is full dark by the time she is done (she caught up with them about 4:00).  Then she recasts phantom steed, (not ritually), and rides on to Monacacy. (During this time, Greg sent an Animal Messenger to Liz at the Inn)

Lodging & meals are found in Monocacy. It has only a population of a couple of hundred, but there is a travelers inn and such. Authority in Monocacy is a volunteer watch which mostly mans the gate/palisade, and "The Squire" (Roger Pembrooke, Esq. R.A.B.) who was deeded the area by the General Assembly in Annapolis. He is easy to track down and would bis eager to believe a story of the nefarious Monax. He asks Jeanne to write down a list of some of the more unique items in detail, he will keep an eye on the “ignorant rats” and round the lot up if they have anything at all suspicious.

The Squire promises the band who came in just behind you will be permitted to deliver their vegetables then be booted outside the palisade. There is only on Monax resident of Monocacy, a stable-hand who has lived there for some time.

Jeanne gives the Squire a list of fabrics, cutlery, cut glass serving-ware, Dudist art in silver casings, china, wooden armoire doors with large mirrors in them. Well made flint-lock rifles and muskets. Jewelry (rings and earrings) in a fashion unknown to this land, mostly silver and semi precious stones. Exotic food stuffs, perhaps in unusual packaging although they would have been easy to repackage. A bowl back mandolin (called a mandora in this period) and she draws a picture of modern guitars. Perhaps tapestries made in an unusual fashion. She lists the more breathtaking of the belly-dance costumes. She adds that her party can be reached in Baltimore town, they already know us there as we have cleared the road of the threat on the way there.

The Squire's eyebrows get higher and higher as the list grows longer and longer. He was seemingly expecting a list of two or three valuable items. "*They stole how much!? This shall not stand! Here's a letter of introduction to the Mayor  of Baltimore and to the head of the Baltimore garrison. We can't let these furries think that can do that sort of thing to an Englishman. Once the village is wiped out, you'll want to go to Annapolis and register your claim to the area as "unoccupied wilderness", assuming you still want to live there."*

She also tells the Squire that this is all Vadana's tribe's fault and there is certainly no need to tar all the monax with this brush but perhaps folk should be more careful in their dealings with them She thanks him for his time and then they go to the inn.

Once we get word from the squire Greg will send a second animal messenger conveying what he said so no need to go to Baltimore in the morning and that we'll hurry home.

Greg and Jeanne rise early, and depart after a quick but hearty breakfast. Exiting the palisade, the encounter the Squire, already up and about. There they see two Monax (only one of which Jeanne recognizes, and it's not Danior/Phillip) strung up by their necks and hanging off the palisade. Upon inquiry, the Squire says "We only caught one of the Monax on their way out, but the stable-hand has probably been spying for them for years. We will show those furries they can't steal from Englishmen!"

Greg and Jeanne are horrified at this violent response and promptly depart. Their return to the inn is uneventful, but they discover all has not been well during their absence