Check in, Ally and the Lady
Subject: Maximus
The young guardsman jumps a bit when Surin speaks "Where did you come from? Oh it's you. Your one of the people we are taking with us to the Dwarf King, right? Surin was your name? My name is Titus Cordius." The young man gives Surin a formal bow.
"Ah the Lady De Blum. She is a mystery. As you can plainly see she is not a Byhonian by birth. She is from Mnhul, from a very important family. She married into a powerful family and they were able to manipulate the Ambassadorship for her. It is a great honor for her and her family. However, I don't think she is looking forward to spending two years underground."
From: Mark
Subject: Turn and check in
Any one else? If everyone would check in that would be great.
Thanks
From: Kevin
Subject: Check in
Check, Check, Test 1, 2, 3, Check, Check. Please turn down the 10,000 hz, please. Check, Test, Test, Check.....
From: Bryan
Subject: Check in
Check
From: Josh
Subject: Check in
check check
From: Karl
Subject: Check in
Check. Salix has nothing to add, though he does give Halpin a dark glare at the mention of cutting trees from the GNW.
From: Derek
Subject: Check in
Check.
Is this a sit-down formal dinner, or more of a 'nibble on stuff while you wander around chatting with everyone' kind of setting?
From: Mark
Subject: Check in
It is more of a mess hall thing. People are sitting down, but there is not much formal about it. It is not a reception, if that is what you mean.
The party, and the Byho contingent, are at at boarder fort with the garrison of the fort.
From: Randy
Subject: Check in
Check
From: Derek
Subject: Check in
Allistair pulls Ragnar aside for a moment. "How much of our mission do these Bhyoans know about? How much do you want them to know?"
From: Karl
Subject: Check in
"Boarder fort" Is that like a militarized frontier hotel?
From: Mark
Subject: Check in
No it is a spelling error. :)
From: Porter
Subject: Check in
Check.
From: Bryan
Subject: Check in
No, nothing else - answered main question. Figured Surin'd be curious about why someone would deserve a lashing for being slow off the mark - little harsh.
From: Jason
Subject: Check in
Check!
From: Mark
Subject: Check in
Ok every one has checked in.
Jason, you might want to answer Ally's question about the party's mission.
I will try and write something up today. If not now then after 9PM.
From: Jason
Subject: Check in
I'm about to, just looking up some geography information to clarify in my head first.
From : Mark
Subject: Check in
Great. Let me know if you have any questions.
From: Jason
Subject: Check in
Mostly I was looking up where Angelwing's wife was from. It turns out she's also from Mnuhl, which was what I vaguely remembered. I also wanted to remember what Angelwing had mentioned about the countries she would be passing through, which I found in the archives.
From: Derek
Subject: Ally and the Lady
If possible, Allistair will try and chat a bit with the Lady De Blum. "Good evening, my lady. I am Allistair, a wizard trained at the mage school in Gorn. I've been asked to accompany this diplomatic enjoy of The Order to the Dwarven kingom. I heard that you will be the ambassador of Byho to the Dwarven kingdom. Have you been there before?"
If she's non-conversational or rebuffs him, he will politely thank her for her time and move away. If she's amenable to conversation, he'll try and find out how she feels about going to the Dwarven kingdom.
"I myself lived for five years in the south continent to study at the Elven University in the great forest. It takes a while to adjust to living in a completely different culture, but I'm sure a lady with such education and bearing such as yourself will be able to do well there."
The Lady De Blum
Subject: Turn
Harp will keep to himself and the garrison members for the most part. He will also socialize with the other team members but would be unlikely to search out members of the Bhyo delegation.
From: Mark
Subject: Turn
I will get something out this afternoon or tonight.
From: Mark
Subject: Simple knowledge checks
Both Bhyo and Mnuhl are LN Monarchies. They actually do have a boarder with each other.
I am working on the Lady's response to Ally now.
From: Mark
Subject: The Lady De Blum
The Lady De Blum is a handsome woman. In her early forties, she is tall, close to 6 foot. Long, white blond hair that she wears braided in long pleats, pale skin and piercing blue eyes. She was obviously an eye turner when she was younger and is still very attractive. Her riding dress is of the highest quality, if a bit impractical for long trips on horse back. She is on the matronly side now but she still has a commanding presence.
The Lady seems a bit distracted by the conditions she finds herself in. She sits on the chair like it is the only thing keeping her from falling into a vat of acid. She is fastidious about not touching the surface of the table and she makes a big production of having one of the guardsmen clean her glass twice. When she is offered a knife and fork to eat with, she pulls her own set from her bag. She eats some, but does more pushing the food around the plate than actual eating.
She doesn't seem to notice Allistair moving up next to her and she startles a little when he starts talking. Up until this point the only thing she had said had been demands of the members of the patrol she had ridden in with. "What was that? Have I been where before?" Her voice is strong if distracted. A few seats down Ranthir recognizes the Lady's accent. It is similar to Rochelle's. Ally repeats his question and this time the Lady understands. "Why, no, of course not. Why would I want to live in those dank, dingy caves unless I had a reason to? I serve my King and my husband by doing this, but I don't have to like it. In fact I think I will dread every day I am there."
Once started the Lady seems not to know how to stop. For the next twenty minutes Ally finds himself the target of all the Lady's frustrations. She talks about mundane things and the mage is quickly bored. She starts to drop names, refer to people she obviously thinks are important or powerful. She never once asks Ally, or any of the other people around the table anything about themselves. She relays the hardships she has had to endure so far and all the hardships she has envisioned for herself once she gets to the dwarf kingdom.
One thing Ally does find out is an odd aspect of the treaty between the dwarves and Bhyo. It seems that the Lady has no retinue with her. No ladies in waiting, no personal servants, no one. According to De Blum each races Ambassador is waited on by the local population. "Do you believe that?" she asks Ally. Before he can even start to frame an answer she keeps going "As if those dwarf women would be able to make a proper dress. If there are even dwarf women." Ally tries to glance down the table, attempting to catch the eye of one of his compatriots, trying to signal them to rescue him.
His salivation comes from a surprising quarter. Maximus walks up and drapes an arm around Ally's shoulder "My Lady, we leave at first light in the morn. My guess is that our learned friend is also not use to the trials of the trail. You two should both head off to sleep, so that you do not slow the patrol down tomorrow. We still have seven days ride until we get to the gates." The Lady, her face contorting in anger, starts to protest but Maximus holds up his hand "I know you outrank me, my Lady, but the success of the mission was put in my hands. I must insist."
De Blum looks like she wants to argue more, but the stern look on Maximus's face forstals any more protest. She calls for two of the guardsmen to help her to her chambers. As she leaves Ally turns to Maximus "I don't know how to thank you. Is she always like that?" "You mean talkative?" Maximus replies. "No, she is under a good deal of stress. The Lady De Blum is a shrewd person, if a bit ambitious for herself and her husbands family."
OODM: Any other questions?
Flavius and Kal
Subject: Flavius and Kal
After dinner finishes Kal walks up to Flavius who has sat sullenly through dinner, certainly dreading his coming punishment. After a short conversation Kal offers this advice.
"Take the punishment with dignity, and you will be a stronger man for it. It may seem unjust to you, but the Gods test us in strange ways. Bear the whip tomorrow and stand proudly afterwards. It's the only choice you have."
Shortly after Kal returns to the party, and soon after leaves the barracks to walk in the nearby woods.
Kal outside, the Lady and Ran
Subject: Kal outside
After Kal has spoken with Flavius he finds Ragnar. "I am going to take a short walk outside. I may be a few hours." Ragnar gives him a questioning look and Kal replies "It sounds as if we are going to be underground for a while. You are dwarf and that may not bother you. I would like a little time with the trees before I go." The dwarf nods and Kal heads out the door.
Kal wanders around in the starlight looking for a small grove or something. All he finds is a small copse of trees maybe a mile from the garrison. Shrugging, he settles in for a period of mediation.
From: Mark
Subject: The Lady and Ran
As the evening progresses Ran finds himself talking to Lady De Blum. After a few minutes of conversation the Lady asks "Ranthir, I understand that your father is the Knight-Marshall of the Order. Are you a member?" "No my Lady, while I respect my father greatly, I did not follow in his footsteps in the Order." The Lady's face is a bit crestfallen at this but she covers it well. "Well, I must say your father is a great man. I met him once, several years ago, when he visited Bhyo. Such a handsome man. I must say you take after him. By the way are you married?"
The question catches Ranthir of guard. "Why no my Lady, I am, at the present, unattached. Why do you ask?" "Well, I have a daughter" she replies "and she will come of age in another year. If you are ever in Freng you should stop by and meet her. She is a wonderful girl." The Lady continues to talk about her daughter and what a match she would be for Ran.
On to the dwarves
Subject: The Lady and Ran
Ran listens politely as the Lady speaks. He is non-committal as she talks about her daughter and his compatibility with her. After listening as long as he can stand he politely excuses himself and heads to bed, not really ready to sleep but not wanting to spend any more time discussing romance.
From: Derek
Subject: The Lady and Ran
That's OK. She wasn't discussing romance either. Just business. ;)
From: Karl
Subject: The Lady and Ran
Salix takes in the evenings events with curiosity, but doesn't engage in much conversation, preferring to listen. He's a bit put off by "The Lady", finding himself dreading spending a week in the wilderness with her. He was hoping to enjoy this short trip before disappearing below the earth for who knew how long.
From: Mark
Subject: On to the dwarves
Ran's abrupt departure leaves the Lady sputtering. She turns to Maximus "I am retiring for the night. Make sure that breakfast is acceptable and we will leave in the morning." The Lady leaves, two guardsmen trailing behind her as she issues commands. The tension in the room eases almost the second she is gone. The men relax and soon one of them breaks into song. Before long the men of Bhyo and Schon are sharing their favorite songs and the camaraderie of military life fills the common room.
Several hours later Lt. Halpin bids the others goodnight. A few minutes later he is back, his face a mask of anger. The companions are not exactly sure what the problem is but the Schon soldier goes right to Maximus and the two have a quick, to the point talk. Whatever Maximus says does not appease Halpin, but the younger man seems to accept what the older man tells him. Halpin bows formally, if a bit stiffly, and leaves for a second time. Mund grabs one of the garrison soldiers and whispers "What was that?" The soldier smirks "Our Lt. Just found out that the Lady has taken his private quarters for the night. As head of the garrison he is given a private room. She felt that she should have that room and moved in, as well as moving out all of Halpin's gear." The man moves off, laughing silently at Halpin's plight.
A little while later one of the Bhyoian's calls out "Flavius, give us a song." The same man who De Blum had marked for flogging steps forward. He is shy and unassuming. Ranthir, Harp and Mund have not seen many more men who looked less ready to be warriors than Flavius. Expecting the others to be having some sport, they sit open mouthed when the young man starts to sing. A voice that dwarfs the thin body and small stature fills the room. Everyone stops and stares at the young man singing. The party members do not recognize the language, but such is the skill of the singer that they can follow the story of lovers met, torn apart and reunited. As the last bars of music die away the room erupts in applause. Flavius blushes and quickly sits down, tipping back a mug of ale that one of his companions hands to him.
Soon afterward Maximus calls for an end of the festivities "We must be on the road early tomorrow. The Lady is eager to reach her destination." The irony in the man's voice is obvious. There are a few protests, but the guardsmen move out to the tents pitched in the practice yard while the garrison soldiers head off to their barracks. The party, except for Kal, find their place in the barracks and are quickly asleep.
The party finds the Lady and her entourage up and moving early the next morning. Kal has returned from where ever he had gone. Ragnar signals for the companions to mount up as soon as breakfast is done. "We'll keep good care of your horses" Halpin tells them as they mount on those brought by the Bhyo contingent. "Just send word if you need them sent back to Gorn or Ivo." Ragnar says a quick blessing for the garrison and the party is off.
The next few days the group follows the Great North Road. However, after three days ride the party heads south instead of northwest. The road they turn on is in great shape. Large blocks of stone, fitted so finely that it seems like glass. "Dwarf work" says Maximus "If we every find a spot that needs repairing, we just let them know and before we get back the next time the problem is fixed. Got say this about the dwarves, they know how to keep things repaired." As they enter the foothills the weather turns nasty.
Cold winds whip past the party. The sky stays over cast and rain is their constant companion. The only saving grace is that the weather keeps De Blum to herself. It has taken all of Ran's self control not to tell the Lady that he would not marry her daughter if she were the last person on earth. He even feels a bit of sympathy for the poor girl.
The road they are on follows a valley up into the hills. As they go the valley gets narrower and narrower. By the third day the road is only a hundred feet or so across and the slope has increased dramatically. They often have to rest their horses. Occasionally they pass a trading caravan heading down the path towards Bhyo. These wagons are laden with ore, pulled by large teams of oxen and manned by human. As they settle in for the night Maximus tells them "Two more days. We should get to Backbiter Pass around noon tomorrow and to the gates around noon the day after. It will actually be easier once we are through the Pass, since it will be more down hill from there."
OODM: Any role playing or questions? If not please check in.
From: Bryan
Subject: On to the dwarves
Check...
From: Josh
Subject: On to the dwarves
I might get a little something in tonight if I have the time after making dinner. It's nothing essential though, so don't hold out on account of me.
In other words, check.
From: Jason
Subject: On to the dwarves
Same with me, except it will be tomorrow morning.
Marcus's story
Subject: Lady De Blum
Mund, on the other hand, is looking forward to see how poorly she fares out in the wilderness. He'll have to make sure that he kills and skins dinner in front of her at least once.
From: Karl
Subject: On to the dwarves
OOC - I like these last couple of write-ups. The Lady sounds like a real piece of work! :-)
IC - After the whirlwind events at Bodentown, and then the near stagnation of waiting things out in Gorn, Salix is grateful to be back on the road again. Early in the trip, Ran invites Salix to ride next to him. "Oh, I don't think so. The Lady seems to want to keep you to herself" he says with a grin. "She wouldn't be interested in me. She's too concerned with pedigree. Besides, druids of the Great North Woods don't marry." Salix spends the rest of the trip all but avoiding the Lady. He spends the days taking note of the various flora and fauna they encounter on the trip and can often be overheard chattering with Noctis in the mornings and early evenings.
When the weather takes a turn, Salix barely seems to notice. If anything he seems more cheerful. The cold wind and rain remind him of a trip he took as a youth with the Stormfather, but rather than turn melancholy over the memories, he seems to feel the Stormfather all around him in the "foul" weather, and this lifts his spirits.
When Maximus mentions the pass, Salix's ears perk up. He'd never been through this mountain pass, but he knew that such geographic barriers often led to differences in the way species developed on each side. He was eager to see what differences there might be among the plants and animals on the other side. In the morning Salix asks Ally to lead his horse with Noctis asleep on the pommel of the saddle when the group departs. Salix then takes the shape of an eagle and soars ahead of the group toward the pass.
(OOC - Salix isn't looking for anything specific. Mark, you can tell me if he sees anything that requires a decision. If not, Salix is ready for the next writeup.)
From: Karl
Subject: Lady De Blum
"How do you think she'd fare among your people in the wildlands?" Salix asks Mund with a grin one evening when the Lady seemed extra picky about the food and accommodations. "I mean, we druids enjoy our comforts, too," he adds. "Our kind of comforts just seem to be a bit easier to find, at least if you know where to look for them."
From: Josh
Subject: Kal and his horse
OOC: This takes place in the early morning before we leave for the dwarf kingdom.
Kal gives Fin a carrot from the garrison's stores and pets his head gently. Again this trained horse would be left to pasture while Kal rode another. Kal shakes his head and whispers into Fin's ear "Soon, old buddy. Soon. You have a part to play, I'm sure of it."
From: Mark
Subject: Country name
I just want to make sure everyone is clear. The country name that the party is in now is Bhyo.
I know I have spelled it Byho a few times, but I have gone back to my map and it is Bhyo.
From: Kevin
Subject: On to the dwarves
Harp will ride along, not causing any problems, glad that the lady DeBlum has avoided him.
OOC: You guys don't know it, but the Lady is based (in part) on a real person. Her family even has a town named after them. Very hoity-toity.
A particular relative of mine married well above his station.
From: Randy
Subject: Check in
Check
From: Derek
Subject: On to the dwarves
During the days of travel, Allistair will try and talk with Maximus a little. Allistair had actually met very few career soldiers, so he is interested in hearing his about his career, and any campaigns he's served in. He's also curious about how women serve in both the government (as the Lady de Blum's presence attests) and in the military, so he'll ask if there is some historical precedent for that, since it generally isn't the norm, at least among human nations. If he gets a chance, he'll also ask Maximus about the Lady de Blum. "Is the Lady by chance a widow? She has mentioned a daughter, but has made no mention of a husband or other family. Most women of her situation and station would be content to live out their lives managing the family estate and grooming the next successor."
Also if Ran looks to Ally for help when being cornered by the Lady de Blum, Allistair will come in and try and distract her with questions of Bhyo history, royalty, customs, and economy: all things that he is genuinely curious about anyway.
From: Porter
Subject: On to the dwarves
Mund lets out a loud hoot and slaps his knee. "Wouldn't that be a sight!"
"The difference is that the comforts you like are comforts for *you*. A woman like that, well I reckon she ain't comfortable 'less she's more comfortable than everybody around her."
From: Karl
Subject: On to the dwarves
Salix thinks about this for a minute. "I guess you're right," he says, sounding just a little surprised at Mund's insight. "I couldn't have said that better".
(OOC - And *I* couldn't have said that better, Porter. That was the perfect reply. Good job!)
From: Porter
Subject: On to the dwarves
Is Flavius traveling with us? If so:
"Hey, that was some mighty fine singing of yours the other night. You know any Northern songs?"
From: Mark
Subject: On to the dwarves
Yes Flavius is travelling with you.
IDM: The young guardsman nods thanks to Mund but does not say much. The barbarian then remembers the lashes the man took the morning before they mounted up. "Does it still hurt?" he asks. "Not as much now. The Centurion gave me some salve to put on it and that seemed to work. I know some songs from Northern Bhyo. Is that what you mean?"
From: Mark
Subject: Marcus's story
Maximus sees willing to pass the time answering Allys questions. "Being the third son of a minor noble, a life in the military was almost pre ordained for me. My oldest brother will run the family business and stay at court. My second oldest brother became a priest. We have an old saying 'One for the family, one for the god's and one for the country.' My life in the Legions has been acceptable. I have gotten to see much of the world and had a few adventures as well." Marcus relays a few stories of his adventures in the Great North Woods as well as some stories about things he has done in the World Spine Mountains.
"But now I have a young wife at home and a child on the way. Not being from a powerful family I have little chance of advancement beyond Centurion, but that does not bother me. I dislike the politics needed to rise much further. Seniority does have it's perks though. I can pick my assignment, and this one is one of the easiest. Bhyo and Schon have not had even a border dispute in more centuries than I care to count. I get to met some interesting folks, such as yourselves, and occasionally a fine young soldier, such as your Halpin back there. He has a bright future in Schon, if he wishes to pursue it."
"As to women in Bhyo. True, it is different than in most of the world, but we like it. Few women chose the life of a soldier and we do not cut any corners. All Legionaries pass the same tests to get in and to stay in. The Government is a bit different. Any one of skill and determination can make a name for themselves. Some of our best, others would say most ruthless, politicians and business people are females." Maximus's voice drops to a whisper at this point "The Lady would not normally be assigned to this duty, since she is not Bhyoian by birth. But her husband's family is very powerful. She is not a widow and she has several children, most girls. She is always trying to find rich or powerful husbands for the poor things. Of course so are most mothers in Freng." Maximus laughs at this. "I assume my wife will do the same if we have a girl child."
OODM: Ally does learn some of the basics of Bhyoian society from the Lady before she learns he is from the Wildlands and that Mund is his brother. Then she completely ignores him.
Backbiter Pass
Subject: Marcus's story
Allistair is actually slightly relieved when the Lady de Blum starts ignoring him. She was almost refreshing to deal with in that there was no duplicity, no ambiguity as to where you stood with her. Her actions toward someone were completely in line with her feelings about them. He does feel sorry for Ran though, but since noe one else in the entire group even exists as far as the Lady de Blum is concerned, there is little they can do to help him.
From: Porter
Subject: Marcus's story
Mund laughs again when she starts ignoring Allistair. "What is it -- does she hate you because you're a Northman, because you're my brother, or did you make a pass at the old bag? Or, is it that you *didn't* make a pass at her?
From: Mark
Subject: Backbiter pass
The next morning Salix changes into an eagle for his daily fly around. The Lady De Blum has taken an obvious dislike to the druid. There are times when he can hear her mutter things about "those damn tree people". Salix figures that her family has had a few run-ins with the local druids about the cutting of trees to run the forges in Freng. He smiles a bit at that, glad that the Lady does not always get what she wants.
The constant rain does not bother Salix but it does limit his visibility. Since they will be going through Backbiter Pass later on in the day the druid wings his way up the valley. Still several hundred feet in the air he sees where the Pass forms. It is the saddle between two mountains. Someone, probably dwarves, had built some fortifications on each side of the pass. Salix can see a few short, stout forms moving around on the exposed battlements. He decides to take a quick look over the pass to see what the terrain is like on the other side.
The valley on the other side of the pass slopes away from the crest with a gentle slope. Trees dot the rugged mountain side, springing up in the most surprising places. The road seems to be in even better condition than on the Bhyo side of the pass. The trees are different, with there being more evergreen type trees where the leafy variety made up most of the trees on the Bhyo side. The druid spends about half an hour flying around, scouting things out when he decides to return to the party.
By this time the Bhyoian patrol is used to the druid's comings and goings. Salix settles down on the ground a few hundred feet ahead of the party and shifts form. Kal brings his horse up and the druid leaps into the saddle. The two quickly rejoin the others.
OODM: I will let Karl do the report.
From: Karl
Subject: Backbiter pass
Salix rides up to the head of the group. "The fortifications at the pass are manned, but I guess that's not unusual, right? The figures I saw looked to be dwarves, but then again so does everyone else from eagle-height," he adds with a laugh. "The road looks clear. Even better maintained than we've seen so far. Those dwarves sure take pride in their work."
(OOC - Mark, what does Salix know about dwarves or the are we're going to? Have he had any dealings with them? It seems that the GNW druids are made up of a mix of races. Are there any druid dwarves in the GNW? Are there any dwarven druid circles anywhere? Just checking general info for background.)
From: Derek
Subject: Marcus's story
Allistair shrugs as he lets the reigns hang slack on his horse, until he is next to Mund and out of the Lady and Ran 's hearing. "Well, I didn't make a pass at her, unless she misinterprets anyone being interested in her conversation as a sexual proposition. I was just curious to learn about a nation and people that I haven't visited before, and thought I might give Ran reprieve from her cordial badgering. In actuality, her disinterest in me is probably a combination of the first two: I'm not politically of any importance, so there is little reason for her to show interest in me."
From: Karl
Subject: Backbiter pass
"By the way," Salix asks. "Why do they call it 'Backbiter' Pass?" (cue ominous music) ;-)
From: Mark
Subject: Backbiter pass
Maximux takes out a rolled up piece of paper with some shredded plant material in it and uses a tinder stick to light it. In an odd voice he says "Well, that's not quite known. Story goes that hundreds or thousands of years ago that an army of elves, who at the time were allies with the dwarves, was attacked by a dwarf army as they came over the pass. Supposedly the dwarves used those fortifications you saw to wipe out the elven army." Maximus takes another long puff "Of course I've heard the same story but it was the elves who betrayed the dwarves, not the other way around."
From: Derek
Subject: Backbiter pass
"From what I've heard the Dwarves and Elves are on amicable terms. Whichever it was, it must have been a very long time ago indeed for even the Elves not to be too concerned about it."
From: Mark
Subject: new items
I don't think I am letting anything out of the bag when I say this.
From now on, when we enter into combat, please remind me of any special item or features your character has and is using. I do not want to forget something and with so many different magic items with different powers around now I want to make sure that I don't forget something.
From: Josh
Subject: Marcus's story
After Allistar parts with the Lady Kal again sees Ran being tormented by her courtship. Having some words for her on his mind anyway, he approaches and waits for a chance to speak.
".... really it's quite astounding that they even let the mongrels anywhere near the cathedral. They're an incredible nuisance to everyone going to worship. I think they should just send the guard around, capture the little things, and get rid of them. I don't want to see homeless children begging and crying when I'm trying to pray. It's barbaric."
Ran is unable to respond to the Lady's comments so Kal steps in,
"My Lady, if I may." Kal waits for any sign of approval, and then continues, "I don't mean to interrupt, but I'm sure Ran here wouldn't mind a short rest from your company. I have some things I would like to discuss with you." The lady turns slightly pink at Kal's implication, but she's too well bred to respond yet. Kal casual leads her out of ear shot from the rest of the group, so their words are private. "You acted barbaric when you insisted on the young soldier's whipping. Every one else here knew that but you, and now you've lost what little love and respect you had. This is a different world than what you're accustomed to at court. I encourage you to show restraint and to allow those with proper training and experience to handle problems appropriately for the rest of this journey. This is not your world."
Kal stops as if finished, but then decides to say one last thing, "I hope you understand that I say this for your own good. I have no intention of sharing this conversation with anyone else. There's no reason for you to act indignantly to safe face. Swallow your pride and just keep riding."
He'll pause for a moment to let her speak. If she says nothing he'll separate from her and return to his place in the column.
The Lady and Kal
Subject: The Lady and Kal
From his position in the group, Harp watches as Kal rides over to the Lady De Blum and begin to engage her in conversation. A bad feeling starts to come over Harp. He had seen Kal put his foot in it before, and he would not be surprised to see him do it again.
From: Mark
Subject: Turn
I will be working on a turn early this afternoon.
From: Mark
Subject: The Lady and Kal
The Lady listens stony faced as Kal chastises her for her treatment of Flavius. At Kal's last statement she bursts out laughing. It is a harsh, cold sound. "I have no need of love from such as these. They are small people." She gestures to the legionnaires ahead of them. "They always have been and always will be. However, respect will be given to me, by right of my position. Did I offend you by having the cretin flogged? I could have had him hobbled, but that would slow us down, and the less time I have to spend out here on the road the better. Listen to me, elf: power is what power can do. Did Maximus protest my decree? No, because he knew I was within my power. Save your naïve thinking for your uncouth friends." Almost as an aside to herself she says "What would one expect from the lower races." She then turns her back and rides back to the patrol, calling for Flavius to bring her some water.
From: Randy
Subject: The Lady and Kal
Ran is greatful for the reprieve that Kal's interruption offers. He takes the opportunity to position himself further back in the patrol, hoping that distancing himself from the Lady will put him out of her mind. The politics of it all was enough to drive a man mad.
OOC: If only she thought half-elf was a lower race.
From: Derek
Subject: The Lady and Kal
Allistair rides up next to Ran. "It might not be in your nature, but if you hang around Mund, Harp, and Salix and engage in conversation that she would find distateful, she'll probably be lest apt to spend so much time with you."
From: Mark
Subject: The Lady and Kal
It is Ran's father she is interested in. Ran is just a means. :)
The entrance to Backbiter Pass
Subject: Turn
I will be getting a turn out this afternoon.
From: Josh
Subject: The Lady and Kal
Kal waits for the lady to finish and then returns to the rest of thegroup. Words wouldn't have any power here.
From: Mark
Subject: The entrance to Backbiter Pass
The party rides for the next few hours. The Bhyoian patrol keeps a loose formation around Maximus and the Lady while the party rides in a loose formation behind them. Mund stays out in front while Kal and Harp follow closely behind. Salix and Surin bring up the third row with Ally by himself in the fourth. Ragnar and Ran bring up the rear. The whole group rides around a bend in the path and hear Maximus say "There it is, Backbiter Pass. We should be there by noon." a quarter mile away and several hundred feet above them they can see the fortifications at the top of the pass.
They ride slowly, trying to keep their horses from wearing themselves out. Flavius, who has been bringing up the rear of the Bhyoian patrol is riding next to Mund. The barbarian is trying to teach him a few songs from the Wildlands. The front of the group is about 250 feet from the fortifications when Mund hears Maximus's voice say "What in the nine hells are those?" Mund's head swings around when he hears the Centurion scream "Scatter!!!! Gaius, get the Lady off the road!!" Mund, and by now the rest of the party sees figures start to scatter. Mund sees a dark form in front of him, quickly growing larger.
The boulder slams into Flavius next to him, crushing the young man and his horse. Blood and bone splatter the Northman as the legionaire is crushed to death. Up ahead another legionarie and his horse are a bloody mess, victims of a second rock. Mund looks at the fortifications and see three large figures standing on the battlements, one on the east side and two on the west. The legionaries are scattering, trying to find cover in the narrow path.
OODM: Surprise round. Mund is about 250 feet away from the fortifications. The rest of the party is about 10 feet back per row, so Kal and Harp are 260 feet, Salix and Surin are 270 feet, Ally is 280 feet and Ragnar and Ran are 290 feet. surprise round is over.
Init: Harp (25), Surin (20), Maximus (18), Lady De Blum (15), Kal (14), Ranthir (12), Ally (12), Salix (7), Legionaries (7), Creatures (7), Mund (5), Ragnar (5). I need actions. I will see if I can put together a map this weekend.
From: Josh
Subject: The entrance to Backbiter Pass
Do we have any more details on what they are/what they look like?
From: Mark
Subject: Backbiter Pass
It is hard to tell from this distance. They look larger than human but have a humanoid shape (a head, two arms. You can not see below the waist due to the walls of the fortification.
From: Derek
Subject: Backbiter Pass
Allistair says to the rest of the group, "I think we're going to have trouble getting up there to stop those things. I can hit them from far away with spells, but I could also make one person fly up there and attack them directly. Also Salix, I think this would be a perfect opportunity to summon some griffons." After a moment of thought he adds, "I could also turn someone into a dragon..."
From: Kevin
Subject: Round 1 actions
Was anyone able to determine if the rocks came from a machine or were thrown?
IC: Harp watches the rocks come flying into the men around him. Hells bells, they were sitting ducks out here. He needed to get closer before he could do something. Kicking his horse, he moves forward a short distance, taking his bow from his shoulder, and then dismounts, keeping an eye for any more flying rocks.
OOC: Mark, move action to move Harp's horse to where he is less than 220 ft. from the walls (1 extra range increment for his comp. long bow). His dismount is his second move action.
From: Mark
Subject: Round 1 actions
No one saw anything until the rocks were in the air.
Cover and Map
Subject: Cover
What is the area like in front of us? Is there room to hide? Is therecover/concealment?
From: Mark
Subject: Cover
There is some cover behind rocks and out croppings. The entrance to the fortifications is in the base of the pass 250 and some odd feet ahead of you.
From: Jason
Subject: Cover
Is there enough cover for all of us and our horses?
From: Mark
Subject: Cover
Define all? Not all the party and the patrol. Also, the cover is only partial, especially for the horses. There are not that many rocks or outcroppings for over thirty horses.
From: Josh
Subject: Map
anxiously awaits a map
From: Mark
Subject: Map
It will be later tonight.
From: Jason
Subject: Round 1 actions
OOC: I assume that even if we were to get the 200+ feet closer, we'd still be at the bottom of these fortifications? I think what we want to do here is get Mund flying and someone else as a dragon (maybe Kal to take advantage of Shield Other?) take out the one on the left while we send summons and fireballs at the other two. Any other thoughts or tactics?
IC At the sight of boulders smashing into the road, Ragnar starts shouting orders. "Salix, see if you can distract the two on the right! Allistair, go ahead and get your brother airborne. Mund, lets get you some help." He awkwardly spurs his horse forward, coming up behind Mund. "See if you can take out the one on the left so the rest of us can get up there." Ragnar then chants the words that will bring Heironeous' blessing on Mund (Aid, 1d8+9 temp hp, +1 morale bonus to hit)
From: Mark
Subject: Round 1 actions
Shield other has a very short range. I mean the two people have to stay with in about 30 feet of each other, once the spell has been cast.